Cutting strips
Common directions in quilt patterns call for strips of fabric, cut selvage to selvage, and then sub-cut into squares, triangles, or rectangles. It is important that strips are cut accurately so the blocks come out correctly but just as important is that there is a limited amount of waste when cutting fabric.
Tools:
18”x24” cutting mat (RM-SG) or 24”x36” cutting mat (RM-MG)
45mm rotary cutter (RTY-2/NS)
6”x24” rectangular ruler ((QR-6x24)
- Square the end of your fabric.
- Align the cut edge with the line of the number on your ruler for the necessary size of your strip. For example, if your strip needs to be 2 ½” wide, you’d place the 2 ½” line on the ruler along the cut edge of the fabric. You won’t use the cutting mat lines.
- Cut the strip, then move on to cut as many strips as you need, using the lines on the ruler to measure. Note: The piece of fabric you are keeping stays under your ruler when you cut.
- Before moving a strip, place a pin at the selvage edge to hold the cut edges in place.
- If your strip is wider than the width of your ruler, use the lines on your cutting mat to measure.
- To make sure your edge is square, open a cut strip and examine the area near the fold. If the strip has a bend in the middle or a “V”, the fabric’s edge is out of square. Square the fabric’s end and begin cutting strips again.
