Cutting squares, help the newb!
#1
It's Cupcake again :) I think I figured out that I will need 11+ yards of fabric to make my first project. (CW throw 60X60)
Thing is ... I have never cut pieces out of such a large piece of fabric before. I'm not even sure how to pre-wash it? I have a small Japanese washing machine. :oops:
Can you think of any tips to help me cut 8" squares out of a huge piece of fabric. I have a rotary cutter, a large table, a clear plastic yard stick and a one yard mat.
P.S. Is muslin okay to use? I am thinking so hard I think I smell smoke... haha!
Thing is ... I have never cut pieces out of such a large piece of fabric before. I'm not even sure how to pre-wash it? I have a small Japanese washing machine. :oops:
Can you think of any tips to help me cut 8" squares out of a huge piece of fabric. I have a rotary cutter, a large table, a clear plastic yard stick and a one yard mat.
P.S. Is muslin okay to use? I am thinking so hard I think I smell smoke... haha!
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,375
Are you SURE you need 11 yards? I'm not sure of what pattern you're talking about...
Sometimes what I do to cut a bunch of squares of the same fabric is to fold it in half so the selvedges match, then fold it again into fourths, making sure the selvedges match and ALSO the folds are parallel to each other. MUCHO IMPORTANT. If these two conditions are met, lay your fabric so the folds line up with the inch marks (this way you're getting a perpendicular cut), trim the selvedge off, and measure to 8" and then rotary cut! Then, after you get your desired number of strips, line the cut edge up on the horizontal line, measure 8" and use rotary cutter and ruler VERTICALLY and you will have perfect squares! As long as your blade is sharp and you line the top edge(s) on the horizontal line, you can cut several squares (layers) this way.
Sometimes what I do to cut a bunch of squares of the same fabric is to fold it in half so the selvedges match, then fold it again into fourths, making sure the selvedges match and ALSO the folds are parallel to each other. MUCHO IMPORTANT. If these two conditions are met, lay your fabric so the folds line up with the inch marks (this way you're getting a perpendicular cut), trim the selvedge off, and measure to 8" and then rotary cut! Then, after you get your desired number of strips, line the cut edge up on the horizontal line, measure 8" and use rotary cutter and ruler VERTICALLY and you will have perfect squares! As long as your blade is sharp and you line the top edge(s) on the horizontal line, you can cut several squares (layers) this way.
#5
I had to look back at your last post to discover that by CW you mean Cathedral Windows. (My first guess, Civil War, was incorrect.) Please look at this tutorial before buying the fabric, because she gives specific recommendations on selecting fabric and explains why. She also gives directions on calculating how much fabric, and your 11 yards estimate is pretty good.
http://hyena-in-petticoats.blogspot....-tutorial.html
I've never made a CW (now I'm using the abbreviation too!) quilt, but it's on my list. Good luck with yours!
http://hyena-in-petticoats.blogspot....-tutorial.html
I've never made a CW (now I'm using the abbreviation too!) quilt, but it's on my list. Good luck with yours!
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MS
Posts: 3,434
Originally Posted by Rebecca VLQ
Are you SURE you need 11 yards? I'm not sure of what pattern you're talking about...
Sometimes what I do to cut a bunch of squares of the same fabric is to fold it in half so the selvedges match, then fold it again into fourths, making sure the selvedges match and ALSO the folds are parallel to each other. MUCHO IMPORTANT. If these two conditions are met, lay your fabric so the folds line up with the inch marks (this way you're getting a perpendicular cut), trim the selvedge off, and measure to 8" and then rotary cut! Then, after you get your desired number of strips, line the cut edge up on the horizontal line, measure 8" and use rotary cutter and ruler VERTICALLY and you will have perfect squares! As long as your blade is sharp and you line the top edge(s) on the horizontal line, you can cut several squares (layers) this way.
Sometimes what I do to cut a bunch of squares of the same fabric is to fold it in half so the selvedges match, then fold it again into fourths, making sure the selvedges match and ALSO the folds are parallel to each other. MUCHO IMPORTANT. If these two conditions are met, lay your fabric so the folds line up with the inch marks (this way you're getting a perpendicular cut), trim the selvedge off, and measure to 8" and then rotary cut! Then, after you get your desired number of strips, line the cut edge up on the horizontal line, measure 8" and use rotary cutter and ruler VERTICALLY and you will have perfect squares! As long as your blade is sharp and you line the top edge(s) on the horizontal line, you can cut several squares (layers) this way.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,375
Originally Posted by dsb38327
Originally Posted by Rebecca VLQ
Are you SURE you need 11 yards? I'm not sure of what pattern you're talking about...
Sometimes what I do to cut a bunch of squares of the same fabric is to fold it in half so the selvedges match, then fold it again into fourths, making sure the selvedges match and ALSO the folds are parallel to each other. MUCHO IMPORTANT. If these two conditions are met, lay your fabric so the folds line up with the inch marks (this way you're getting a perpendicular cut), trim the selvedge off, and measure to 8" and then rotary cut! Then, after you get your desired number of strips, line the cut edge up on the horizontal line, measure 8" and use rotary cutter and ruler VERTICALLY and you will have perfect squares! As long as your blade is sharp and you line the top edge(s) on the horizontal line, you can cut several squares (layers) this way.
Sometimes what I do to cut a bunch of squares of the same fabric is to fold it in half so the selvedges match, then fold it again into fourths, making sure the selvedges match and ALSO the folds are parallel to each other. MUCHO IMPORTANT. If these two conditions are met, lay your fabric so the folds line up with the inch marks (this way you're getting a perpendicular cut), trim the selvedge off, and measure to 8" and then rotary cut! Then, after you get your desired number of strips, line the cut edge up on the horizontal line, measure 8" and use rotary cutter and ruler VERTICALLY and you will have perfect squares! As long as your blade is sharp and you line the top edge(s) on the horizontal line, you can cut several squares (layers) this way.
#8
11 yds is a lot for a 60x60" quilt unless you're talking about the backing and binding too. Even then it might be a lot. Oh well, you can always use the leftovers in another quilt or sell them. I never wash a length of fabric over 2 1/2 yds long. It gets too tangled. You can serge both ends to prevent keep if from ravelling or cut it with pinking shears.
#9
Originally Posted by raptureready
11 yds is a lot for a 60x60" quilt unless you're talking about the backing and binding too. Even then it might be a lot. Oh well, you can always use the leftovers in another quilt or sell them. I never wash a length of fabric over 2 1/2 yds long. It gets too tangled. You can serge both ends to prevent keep if from ravelling or cut it with pinking shears.
#10
Originally Posted by dunster
Originally Posted by raptureready
11 yds is a lot for a 60x60" quilt unless you're talking about the backing and binding too. Even then it might be a lot. Oh well, you can always use the leftovers in another quilt or sell them. I never wash a length of fabric over 2 1/2 yds long. It gets too tangled. You can serge both ends to prevent keep if from ravelling or cut it with pinking shears.
I honestly have no idea what I'd do with a quilt top after I finished one at this point. *shrug*
It looks like I should get some pinking shears for sure. I'm honestly a little overwhelmed by the prospect of cutting 225 squares out of that much yardage. I have looked for pre cut squares and it seems so much more expensive.
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