newbie question

[first6rhardest]

Dear friends;

I have a question... I have just started a "Quilt in a Day" Quilt and have already encountered a problem. I torn the edge like Eleanor says but when I went to put salvage edge to salvage edge, it was way off... like an inch. Do I line up the salvage edge or do I keep the torn edge as my guide? -Jeanne

[sadiedaisy1]

I've never tried El's method for cutting. I line up my selvage edges together and make sure that my fabric is hanging correctly and then place the selvage edges on a horizontal line on my cutting mat and then square off the left cut edge. That's the way I originally learned to do it.

[cindyg]

Good question. I'd like the answer to that one, too. Jeanne, if you put the selvages together and the edges together does it make your fold cattywompus?

[first6rhardest]

yes, Cindyg... I was afraid I would have to block it just to cut it :/

I ended up just stretching and ironing it... (and starching the heck out of it), I think it will be ok. Thanks for the comments.

Jeanne

[JudyWoo]

I've never torn my fabric. I always align the salvage edges and work from there ... exactly like "sadiedaisy1" said.

[lorettav]

I think when you tear the edges that is a straight line regardless of selvage.

Loretta

[LynnS]

Sometime when you tear, you'll find that the print doesn't line up with the torn edge. This can happen with stripes especially. I usually do as the others do and use the rotary cutter to do the work after matching selvage edges and making sure it's hanging right.

[12stepquilter]

Jeanne,
My very first quilting instructor used this method. She taught us to tear the fabric first then use that as the cutting line reguardless of where the selvages end up so this will guarentee you have the straight grain in your strips. But also it is really really important to trim of at least a 1/4" back from the tear to assure that you have gotten rid of the stressed fabric. I have always used this method but usually trim off a 1/2 inch strip before cutting the rest of the strips. Hope this helps you.

Rhonda

[sunsup]

Rhonda, I was tought that way too. The selvages are never true to the grain of the fabric so I usualy cut them off before I iron.

[Quilter7]

I suggest you fold the fabric and line up the torn edge. As others have said, you want to find the true grain of the fabric. Many times stores do not cut fabric on the straight across the fabric. Did you wash the fabric? That is another time the true grain will show up. I went to a store last week and they actually do tear their fabric. I want to go back! I want my quilts on the true grain, it will make them stronger and I think the fabric will not be so stretched out of shape.