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Posted by Donna in Idaho on August 14, 2008, 3:27 pm
You want the line on the ruler that you're measuring from lined up with the
edge of the fabric, but the ruler line should be ON the fabric, not along
the edge off the fabric. But, no further onto the fabric than the width of
the line. Hope that makes sense. I was taught this at some class someplace
and it works! If you consistently have the ruler line to the side of the
fabric instead of ON the fabric it does make a difference. Also, as someone
else said, be sure your blade is perpendicular to the edge of the ruler and
not slanted in. Just having the ruler line off the fabric and having the
blade slanted could make a 1/16th inch difference. The thickness of your
thread can also make a difference which I never thought of until I read it
someplace in piecing tips.
Donna in SW Idaho
> Does anyone have any rotary cutting tips? My finished blocks are always
> a little smaller than I planned, not much, maybe a 1/16th of an inch
> smaller, but over the length of the quilt, it makes a difference. All the
> blocks are equal, so accuracy is not the problem, but I wonder if I should
> cut a tiny bit more generously to correct this.
> My seam allowances measure 1/4 inch, so I think the problem is cutting.
>
> I would love to hear any suggestions and advice.
> felwyn
>
>
>
>
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Posted by Patti on August 14, 2008, 4:04 pm
Following on from what Donna said: have you thought of measuring the
width of the lines on your ruler? Some rulers (and they vary
enormously) have very thick lines - I bought a Nancy Crow one once and
the lines were almost 1mm thick! So, you have to take each of your
rulers (if you have more than one) and measure with an ordinary
geometrical ruler to see just where your line has to be placed to give
you the exact width you want. It doesn't take long, but is infinitely
worth it.
.
>Does anyone have any rotary cutting tips? My finished blocks are always a
>little smaller than I planned, not much, maybe a 1/16th of an inch
>smaller, but over the length of the quilt, it makes a difference. All the
>blocks are equal, so accuracy is not the problem, but I wonder if I should
>cut a tiny bit more generously to correct this.
>My seam allowances measure 1/4 inch, so I think the problem is cutting.
>
>I would love to hear any suggestions and advice.
>felwyn
>
>
>
>
--
Best Regards
pat on the hill
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Posted by felwyn on August 14, 2008, 4:17 pm
You have all given me many points to consider. I think being certain the
cutter is perpendicular is a big one. Making sure the ruler is on the cut
edge, even a thread away is a good point too.
It might be the seam allowance and pressing too. . . I'll shoot for a
scant quarter of an inch. It's time to get out some scraps and sharpen
skills!
Thanks everybody.
felwyn
> Following on from what Donna said: have you thought of measuring the
> width of the lines on your ruler? Some rulers (and they vary enormously)
> have very thick lines - I bought a Nancy Crow one once and the lines were
> almost 1mm thick! So, you have to take each of your rulers (if you have
> more than one) and measure with an ordinary geometrical ruler to see just
> where your line has to be placed to give you the exact width you want. It
> doesn't take long, but is infinitely worth it.
> .
>>Does anyone have any rotary cutting tips? My finished blocks are always
>>a
>>little smaller than I planned, not much, maybe a 1/16th of an inch
>>smaller, but over the length of the quilt, it makes a difference. All the
>>blocks are equal, so accuracy is not the problem, but I wonder if I should
>>cut a tiny bit more generously to correct this.
>>My seam allowances measure 1/4 inch, so I think the problem is cutting.
>>
>>I would love to hear any suggestions and advice.
>>felwyn
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Best Regards
> pat on the hill
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Posted by Donna in Idaho on August 14, 2008, 5:52 pm
Another thing I should have mentioned - if you start out cutting with one
brand of ruler, don't switch rulers in mid-stream (project)! I stick to
Omnigrid rulers exclusively because I know they are all the same. Compare
them to others and you'll see a difference, sometimes slight, sometimes not
so slight.
Donna in SW Idaho
> Following on from what Donna said: have you thought of measuring the
> width of the lines on your ruler? Some rulers (and they vary enormously)
> have very thick lines - I bought a Nancy Crow one once and the lines were
> almost 1mm thick! So, you have to take each of your rulers (if you have
> more than one) and measure with an ordinary geometrical ruler to see just
> where your line has to be placed to give you the exact width you want. It
> doesn't take long, but is infinitely worth it.
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Posted by Sandy on August 14, 2008, 5:38 pm
> Does anyone have any rotary cutting tips? My finished blocks are always a
> little smaller than I planned, not much, maybe a 1/16th of an inch
> smaller, but over the length of the quilt, it makes a difference. All the
> blocks are equal, so accuracy is not the problem, but I wonder if I should
> cut a tiny bit more generously to correct this.
> My seam allowances measure 1/4 inch, so I think the problem is cutting.
>
> I would love to hear any suggestions and advice.
> felwyn
>
>
Felwyn, I'm another who suspects your seam allowance of being just a
trifle off, rather than your cutting technique. As Leslie said, you are
so consistent that it should be a simple matter to figure out how to
adjust. Here's how I was taught to check my seam allowance:
Cut three strips of fabric at 3" x 1.5".
Sew the three strips together along the 3" sides, pressing each seam, so
that you now have one pieced "block".
Now measure your block. It should measure exactly 3" square.
If it's a hair too small, you know that your 1/4" seam allowance is a
trifle too wide. That's where we get the "scant 1/4" seam allowance"
you'll hear about so often. We all have to adjust for the thickness of
the seam itself in order to create precise blocks.
HTH! :)
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
sw.foster1 (at) gmail (dot) com (remove/change the obvious)
http://www.sandymike.net
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