Cutting Tips

Do you use the measurement on the cutting mat instead of the ruler. I find
the ruler is acurate and not the mat.
--
Estelle UK
Gallagher one one at btinternet.com

You are never too old to become the person you should have been!
My photos are here!
http://community.webshots.com/user/EstelleUK11

> 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

Posted by Roberta on August 15, 2008, 9:49 am

I try to place the ruler so the fabric edge I'm measuring from falls
right in the middle of the ruler line. Rulers differ, so check yours
to see exactly where the measurement is correct.

Another problem might be the way you hold the cutter. It should be
perfectly perpendicular to the mat. If you tend to angle in, that
might account for a thread or 2 of inaccuracy. Also dulls the blades
quicker.
Roberta in D

wrote:

>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

Posted by Kathy Applebaum on August 17, 2008, 12:14 pm

IM(NS)HO, for most quilters the problem is the pressing, not the cutting.

As an example, let's say you are sewing two 2.5" cut pieces into a 4.5"
unfinished piece. If you *carefully* put a name brand ruler so that the
middle of the 2.5" mark is *exactly* on the edge of the fabric, you will get
something the right size. (Assuming you haven't sliced away the edge of your
ruler or anything). If you aren't following the edge of the ruler for some
reason, you'd get something bigger, not smaller. There's a common saying
that every ruler measures different, but I've put a lot of rotary cutting
rulers by different makers up against each other and never seen a noticeable
difference.

Next is sewing. If you are sewing *exactly* on the 1/4" line, your block
will end up a little smaller than they should. Why? Because the thread
itself has some thickness, as does the fabric when you fold it back to
press. If you are using a 1/4" foot, cut some scraps and learn where the
fabric needs to be in relation to the foot to get the right placement.

Finally is pressing, something 95% of quilters out there have trouble with.
You can cut perfectly and sew perfectly, but if you haven't pressed it
correctly, the block will end up too small. (Or two big if you stretch the
*&#% out of it!). I could (and have in the past) write a pages-long essay on
pressing, so I'll distill it down to a couple of points. One is take your
time pressing. It's not a race, and it's critical if you want precision. Two
is, like sewing, it's worthwhile to train yourself how to press to the
correct size. Mark the unfinished size of your block on some muslin and pin
it to your ironing board. Then use that guide to teach yourself how you need
to press the block to make it the right size -- not too small, and not
stretched. If you want precision, you'll be glad you did.

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
Queen of Fabric Tramps
mailto:KathyA@KayneyNOSPAMQuilting.com
remove the obvious to reply