Stripping...
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: FL
Posts: 16,574
I read somewhere that if you fold your fabric where it is even on the fold (not necessarily with the selveges lined up) then you don't get those. I tried it and it works!
Match your selvages, then grab the fold and shake it even.
Match your selvages, then grab the fold and shake it even.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: new zealand
Posts: 769
I haven't read all of the notes, but when placing the ruler on the material you have to first see that the selvedge is straight with the opposite side, then line up a straight line on the ruler at the fold, and without moving the ruler, cut across the material to the other side... then don't move the material but carefully turn the cutting mat around so you can then cut the strips... with every strip y ou cut you have to line the ruler up with the previous long cutting edge and ALSO the fold line otherwise you will get an elbow in the material... if that happens, then recut again (square up) and start all over again... just make sure that you don't move the material at any stage... if the material is long I just fold it and lay the excess on the mat, turn the mat around, then carefully unfold the excess , then cut strips...
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South Puget Sound, Wa. State
Posts: 2,462
Ahh...an age old question asked again and again...
I have found that you need to aline your selvedge edges not the cut edges because the fabric is not straight on the bolt.
This can end up being a couple of inches off on the end of the fabric piece...much to our frustration (because that gets cut off in squaring up fabric)
So, take your selvidge edges and line those up so the fold in the fabric is "nice and correct" then square up your fabric, then cut your strips.
Hope this helps.
Kirsten
I have found that you need to aline your selvedge edges not the cut edges because the fabric is not straight on the bolt.
This can end up being a couple of inches off on the end of the fabric piece...much to our frustration (because that gets cut off in squaring up fabric)
So, take your selvidge edges and line those up so the fold in the fabric is "nice and correct" then square up your fabric, then cut your strips.
Hope this helps.
Kirsten
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by KO24
Ahh...an age old question asked again and again...
I have found that you need to aline your selvedge edges not the cut edges because the fabric is not straight on the bolt.
This can end up being a couple of inches off on the end of the fabric piece...much to our frustration (because that gets cut off in squaring up fabric)
So, take your selvidge edges and line those up so the fold in the fabric is "nice and correct" then square up your fabric, then cut your strips.
Hope this helps.
Kirsten
I have found that you need to aline your selvedge edges not the cut edges because the fabric is not straight on the bolt.
This can end up being a couple of inches off on the end of the fabric piece...much to our frustration (because that gets cut off in squaring up fabric)
So, take your selvidge edges and line those up so the fold in the fabric is "nice and correct" then square up your fabric, then cut your strips.
Hope this helps.
Kirsten
#15
Originally Posted by Prism99
Matching selvedges actually has nothing to do with cutting straight strips. Straight strips depend on the fold line being exactly 90 degrees to the cutting ruler. To ensure this, I use a large ruler on the fold line, matching a line on the ruler exactly to the fold. I then butt my cutting ruler against the first ruler. (The edge of the large ruler will be exactly 90 degrees from the lines on the large ruler.) Any variation away from 90 degrees will cause a bow at the fold line.
#17
Thank you for all the tips. I do make sure I line up selvages, not cut ends and make sure my fabric lays flat on the fold. I then iron iron iron until it is nice and crisp and flat. I line the fold at the bottom edge with the selvage away from me then square it up. I'll have to try the two ruler trick. I also don't touch the fabric that I am cutting when I am cutting multiple strips.
I just got an Eleanor Burns Log Cabin book and she recommends tearing off a strip of fabric to make sure that you are perfectly straight on the grain. I'm hesitant to tear as I also don't want to stretch anything but maybe I'll try it with some scrap fabric and see if it helps. I saw a recent huge discussion about tearing vs cutting on this board.
I just got an Eleanor Burns Log Cabin book and she recommends tearing off a strip of fabric to make sure that you are perfectly straight on the grain. I'm hesitant to tear as I also don't want to stretch anything but maybe I'll try it with some scrap fabric and see if it helps. I saw a recent huge discussion about tearing vs cutting on this board.
#18
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
When you put your selvedges together do you make sure the fold is straight? If it doesn't hang in a straight U you don't have it folded straight. Make sure your second fold is also straight. Then you have to make sure your ruler is at 90 degrees to the fold.
#19
Originally Posted by Prism99
Originally Posted by MNQuilter
Ok, now that I have your attention... :lol:
It seems like every time I cut strips from my fabric, they end up bowed! :evil: I am really careful about matching my selvages when I wash and press and then when I press the strips open. They bow right in the middle, where the fabric is folded. Any suggestions? Anyone know what I might be doing wrong? Thanks in advance!
It seems like every time I cut strips from my fabric, they end up bowed! :evil: I am really careful about matching my selvages when I wash and press and then when I press the strips open. They bow right in the middle, where the fabric is folded. Any suggestions? Anyone know what I might be doing wrong? Thanks in advance!
Thanks, Kris
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: new zealand
Posts: 769
you really need to be shown.... remember you have to have two sides of the ruler on a straight line before cutting and that is what it is all about.... one across and the other up and down... have a play with that...but if I were you I would google it... not sure what I would type in though. Maybe "stripping"... worth a try. Or "cutting straight lines of material". Let us know how you get on....
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