How do you square-up fabric?

[CatCee]

Hi everybody, I am just getting into the quilt game and I just love it!!! However, I am messing up good fabric...., squares are coming out wrong sizes when I cut them. I have a cutting board with measurements on it, and I have rottery cutter, I just do not know the correct way to sqaure up my fabric. I appreciate any help/advice you can give. Thanks!

[kadie]

Hey CatCee! Welcome!
I could try and explain it to ya, but I'll probably only confuse you more, so I'll let one of the experts on here give ya the heads up on the proper way.(I don't use the lines on the cutting mat to measure anything, I use the lines on my ruler, I find it more accurate)

[HomespunMary]

CatCee, there's probably a million different ways of doing it, but here's what I do (when I cut strips/squares):

1. Fold the fabric once, to make the selvages meet.

2. Place the fabric so that either the fold or the selvages follow one of the lines on the mat.

3. Place the ruler perpendicular to the fold, and check that the edge of the ruler is exactly on the same mark (on the mat!) above and beneath the fabric, just close to the end of the fabric in order to get a clean cut edge.

4. Cut.

5. If you need for instance 4" squares, align the 4" mark on your ruler to the cut edge, and cut again. (You may have to turn your mat in order to do this.)

6. To cut the strips into squares, start over from #2, but instead of aligning the selvages to a line on your mat, align the cut edges to a line.

With this method, you don't use the measurements on the mat to actually measure your pieces, but you know it is a perfect 90 degrees to the fold or cut edges.

[CaroleJ]

Here's my crude method--lol!
--nick the selvage edge and rip across the width to find the straight grain of the fabric
--mist torn edge and gently press flat
--allow to cool before moving it (fabric retains its memory when cool)
--line up the straight edge and fold; press
--using your rotary cutter, sliver trim to remove the fuzzy edge
--slice away!

Other lessons learned on the road:
Any time you are cutting, remember that your ruler can shift a bit. A thread's width "off" might not seem to matter, but when you are cutting a lot of strips and each one is off, pretty soon you have crooked blocks...which are a real bummer! Invisigrip on the back of the ruler really helps to prevent shifting. Also, I will check my cut pieces every 3-4 slices to make sure my strips are straight, then sliver-trim the cut edge to straighten it if needed.

It all gets easier with practice...and help from our friends.
Carole

[Kittyquilt9292]

Hi CatSee, welcome to the world of quilting. You do realize that this craft is very, very addicting <grin>. You'll find all the help you need from the great people on this Forum. Just ask, and you'll get the answer. Plus you'll hae lots of fun here--quilters are such special people. carol/kittyquilt

[vagrandma]

Welcome to a great forum CatCee. Glad you joined us.

Sandy

[CatCee]

Thank all you so very very much, I am doing exactly what you all said; the instructions are great.

I hope that one day I can be of some help to you all too. I check this site everyday and I learn so much from you guys.

Thanks again!!!

[SHARONMAMAW]

WELCOME CATCEE

IN THE BEGINNING, YOU MAY NEED TO SLIVER TRIM IF IT GETS OFF ANY, JUST KEEP CHECKING AS YOU CUT YOUR STRIPS. I STILL NEED TO AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY IF WORKING WITH A LARGE PIECE OF FABRIC. FAT QUARTERS ARE EASIER TO CUT.

HAVE FUN, SHARON
:^)

[september]

Welcome aboard!! I have learned a lot from this forum. You will too.
September

[sewbug]

I use the Fons & Porter cutting mat, it has no grid lines, for most of my cutting. I use the biggest square ruler I have and line it up with the folded bottom edge of the fabric. The more of the fabric that is lined up on the bottom fold with a ruler the more accurate the cut will be. I learned this technique from Fons and Porter's Quilter's Complete Guide book.