cutting fabric

[meagsmom]

Help.!!!!!!!!Seems no matter how hard I try I can't seem to get my pieces cut so that the are all alike. Some are smaller and some are larger. Makes getting squares that are all the same size difficult. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am really frustrated.

[Cathy32078]

Try to be sure you are lining up your ruler the same way every time? And maybe not cut but 2 layers of fabric at a time. Just practice a lot, take your time, and when you get discouraged, walk away for awhile. Sorry I am not better help. I have my moments when things just don't always match too. Usually when I am worn out.

Cathy

[sunsup]

I will assume you are using a rotery blade cutter and a ruler to do your cutting. Be sure the crossway lines on the ruler line up with the bottom edge of the fabric when the long lines of the ruler are lined up with the edge. Does that make any sence to you? Maybe someone else can explaing it better. Good luck, keep trying.

Sunsup/Sandy

[quilter78]

This may sound dumb but I had problems also with cutting and I found out it was the light.. it was making a glare on the ruler.. so I moved to a different place to cut and it worked. My eyes are funny any way so have to measure several times and it takes me a while to cut the pieces..walking away from it a while helps too and I can't cut out the whole quilt at once, for I go bug eyed.. So. I am slower but more accurate.

[Evie]

Go to HGTV.com and at the top select videos.

In search go to Simply Quilts and look for Super Fast Rotary Cutting.

There's lots of little videos on here just sit back with a hot drink and browse through them. That's what I do, I sit back with my hot tea and take my time.

[maryq]

meagsmom

I have some of the same problems you do... One of the things that helped me a lot was getting a ruler with a "lip" Olfa makes one I think. I hook the lip on the edge of the cutting matt and it's straight every time! Best invention yet! I have 2 tables set up where I cut, one upstairs where the light is better and 1 next to my sewing machine.

good luck!

Marymargaret

[gardenquilter]

make sure to line the ruler up the same each and everytime, make sure the rotary cutter is loaded properly and balance that ruler with your little finger on the outer edge is possible, biggest problem for me is slipping

[quilter78]

I have one of those rulers with the lip also. and it works great also with good lighting.. To be sure I have it lined up at the top by the lip I make sure that both sides at the bottom line up.. Then I know I have the top on straight.. It is easy to tip it.. so I make sure it is on straight.. Mine is a O'lipfa lip edge ruler 24 inches long so after I line it up at top with the lip I make sure it is lined up at the bottom to the marks on the mat.. I hope I have made this clear, I don't know how I can make it clearer. After it is lined up I walk my fingers up to keep the ruler from slipping.. If the lip on the top is not on tight it can be tilted so make sure it is straight on the bottom too. Then you will get perfect strips.

[Oasis]

I use the lip edged ruler, lined up vertically also. Wonderful invention.

But you still have to make sure your fabric is straight and in line with the horizontal lines on the mat. Also after you cut your strips (2 1/2, 3 1/2 etc.) put two or three fabric strips together, line them up both vertically/horzontally, then cut. This way they are mostly the same size at least. ;~) The tip on lighting is excellent also.