trying to start first quilt in a day after 12 years HELP

[msmccoy57]

I am doing a baby quilt the Irish chain one, and I am confused about cutting the strips directions do you fold the material in fourths and then cut on the fold or what totally messing me up please help any suggestions for a beginner would be greatly appreciated It is for my first grandson....

[HomespunMary]

I'm not exactly very experienced, but I'd just fold the fabric once, along the grain (so that the selvages meet) and then cut the strips cross grain. I'm sure you can also fold it a second time along the grain, but I'd guess you then slightly increase the risk of not getting perfectly straight strips.

Good luck! I love the Irish chain pattern and I'm sure it'll be a wonderful quilt!

[kadie]

I agree with everything that HomespunMary has said. Some of the more experienced ladies and gentlemen may fold the fabric multiple times but I always run into trouble if I fold it more than once (selvage to selvage)
Good luck with it! Let us know how you go as an Irish Chain is on my list of "want to dos".

[grammy65]

This may sound dumb....but if I need the room to cut my fabric (when it is too wide to fit on the cutting board), instead of folding in half and then in half again....I fold it accordian style. For some reason it works for me and gives me straighter strips. I use this method when I'm cutting strips for boarders. If I have the room I will just fold something in half and cut it that way. Just be sure to square off your end cut first.

I remember seeing a tip on TV once. If you were folding the fabric to cut a strip, they had you cut the strip 1/4" too wide. After you made your first cut they had you turn the strip around and cut that 1/4" off the other side. They claimed it made the strips straighter.

Good luck with your quilt. Just take it one step at a time and PLEASE don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. If you have a friend that quilts, I bet she/he would love to help you out.

[HomespunMary]

grammy65, when you do your accordion style fold, do you then cut along the grain or across it?

[grammy65]

Homespun...it depends on what I'm cutting. If I'm cutting a border, I cut with the length of the fabric. I always try to buy enough fabric so I can cut the borders in one piece. I have to do the accordian thing more at that time than when cutting across the width. I'm sure not saying this is a foolproof method. When I cut strips and then have to cut them at different lengths, I cut a few and square it up again. Seems like no matter how straight they are you still need to square up the ends after a few cuts.

[CindyB]

I don't want to sound flip, but how many times you fold your fabric (and I cut width-wise) depends on the length of your ruler. If you have one that is 24", then you can just have that middle fold. If you have one that is shorter, then fold in half again.

I love my longer ruler - and I have the film stuff on it that helps to keep it from slipping.

Also - I have found the cheaper fabric (like if you accidently mess up at Wal-Mart and get a cheapie...) is very hard to get cut the width of the fabric. I don't like to go any wider than a fat quarter on those.

[CaroleJ]

Okay, I'll be honest here...I rip across the width, selvege to selvege, and use that as the straight edge. Sometimes the bound edges are not straight; I have found I get better results using the cross grain as a reference point.

I fold twice, I cut across the width, and I will check my strips every 3-4 cuts, to check for bowing. I will sliver-trim as needed if I find the strips are getting crooked.

I came across this on my own after trial and error. It seems to give me better results--straighter strips and less frustration--than other methods.

Just my fat eighth,
Carole

[cindyg]

Carolej that's a good idea about ripping to find the straight of grain. After you rip then fold do you sliver trim off the torn edge? I'm sure going to try this the next time I cut. Thanks.

[CaroleJ]

Cindyg, I will tear across the width, then I dampen it with a spray bottle and very gently press with a hot iron to smooth the ruffled edge along the tear. I let it cool, then fold and press to prepare for cutting...and yes, then I will sliver trim to remove the little fuzzy edge.

I tore my first two quilts, then used a template and a marker to cut the blocks. I like my rotary cutter much better!

Carole