This is the fifth of a ten part series which will teach you the basics of quilting from choosing fabric to displaying the finished product and everything in between. It is meant to help make that special quilt even more fantastic.
You’ve picked your pattern and purchased your fabrics, it is now time to cut that fabric into the shapes and sizes you need to create that quilt top.
It is time to learn how to use your rulers and rotary cutter. Don’t be afraid!!
BEFORE YOU START CUTTING YOUR FABRIC
Before cutting the fabric for your quilt, some quilters recommended that you prewash and press your fabric and batting. However, prewashing is a matter of personal preference.
Prewashing allows for any shrinkage and removes excess dyes and chemicals. Unwashed fabric is easier to cut and sew and the shrinkage gives your quilt a soft, crinkly, quilty look.
I always prewash my fabric but never the batting. When making your quilt top, all the fabrics should either be washed or unwashed. Don’t mix washed fabrics with unwashed fabrics.
To read more about the choice, Moda Fabrics has written a great article on the pros and cons of prewashing.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
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In Part One we found out all about the supplies we need to begin quilting. It is now time to get out the following:
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Acrylic ruler(s)
- And your fabric, of course!!
Using a rotary cutter, cutting mat and acrylic ruler eliminates the step of cutting individual fabric pieces. Rotary cutters allow you to cut through several layers of fabric at a time. Not only will you save time, but your pieces will be cut more accurately.
Rotary cutter blades are VERY sharp, and can cut your hands and fingers. Be sure to cover the blade when not is use and dispose of the blades responsibly.
You MUST use a cutting mat when using a rotary cutter This mat helps protect both the blade of the cutter and your table top.
Special acrylic rulers are designed to help you keep your cuts straight and accurate.
STRAIGHTEN YOUR FABRIC
Before cutting your fabric for the quilt, you will need to straighten and square one end of the fabric. This first edge will ensure your remaining pieces will be accurate.
LETS MAKE THAT FIRST CUT!
First fold the fabric in half matching the selvages. (Selvages are the manufactured edges of the fabric – for more quilting terms see Part Two). Be sure your fold is smooth with no bumps or puckers. If you are using a smaller mat, you may have to fold again.
When I first photographed this post, I used a lovely print then realized you could not see the ruler marks clearly. So here it is in plain beige!
Place the fold near the bottom of your mat with the side you want to be cut on the left. Line up your ruler along the edge to be cut being sure the uneven part that you want to cut off is under the ruler.
Apply even pressure on the ruler by placing your hand firmly on the ruler with your fingers spread. (Remember to keep your fingers away from where you will be cutting).
Hold the rotary cutter in your hand and place it next to the ruler just before the bottom fold. Roll the cutter along the ruler edge from bottom to top. TADA! You just made your first cut.
Lefties will need to reverse sides.
Before lifting or moving the ruler be sure that the blade cut through all the layers of fabric. If not, roll the cutter again.
START CUTTING YOUR FABRIC INTO QUILT PIECES
Now that your first edge is straight, you can begin cutting your fabric into the shapes and sizes needed for your quilt.
Most patterns will tell you how to cut your fabric. For example, if you want four inch squares, you will cut the fabric 4” wide by the WOF. Then you cut this strip into 4 inch squares.
Using the measurements on the ruler, align the straightened side of your fabric with the required measurement. For those 4″ squares, you will line the straight edge on the 4 inch measurement.
Be sure your fabric is on the 4 inch line the entire length of the fabric.
Place your rotary cutter against the ruler as before
Then cut the fabric from bottom to top to make the strip.
Now you will need to turn your strip and cut the squares. For the first squares, you must once again straighten the fabric and cut off the selvages.
Next, line the straightened edge of the strip on the 4 inch measurement and cut your square.
Continue along the strip until you have cut the required amount of squares from the strip.
EASY, PEASY – RIGHT?
CUTTING ON THE BIAS
Not all quilts are made strictly from squares. Sometimes we make angles. Most acrylic rulers will have markings for a 45 degree angle. This is the most common angle that you will cut and is used for cutting your binding.
You can see that my ruler has lines for cutting three different angles. 30 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees. Each angle goes off in two directions so you can use either side of the ruler depending on which way you prefer to cut. (Lefties can use these too!!)
You will be cutting your fabric using the same method as before, however you will use your ruler to create a triangle. Place the desired angle marking onto the edge of the fabric. (I added a piece of white paper so you can see the line better. Don’t do this at home).
You will see that a triangle has been created. Simply cut along the edge of the ruler as before.
Fabric cut crosswise or lengthwise is normally not very stretchy, but fabric cut on the bias can become very stretchy. BE CAREFUL with fabric cut on the bias. It can easily stretch out of shape especially when sewing or pressing.
USING TEMPLATES
Long before the rotary cutter and rulers were invented, people were cuting their fabric for their quilt pieces entirely by using templates. Nowadays, templates are used when cutting odd shaped pieces. You will simply lay the template onto your fabric and cut around it. (Kinda like a sewing pattern).
Normally when using complicated templates, you will be cutting one piece at a time. Sometimes pattern designers offer templates for easy cuts, in which case you can cut several at a time. Take a look for ways to make your cutting easier.
When using digital patterns, you will need to print the template out on your printer. Be sure that the template is EXACTLY the same size by measuring the “test square” included with many printable templates.
You may carefully cut the template out and use the paper. If you want your template to stick to your fabric try printing them out on freezer paper sheets. You can actually iron freezer paper onto fabric and remove it with no residue! Simply print the template directly onto the freezer paper, then iron your template onto the fabric and cut it out.
If you will be using the same templates many times, however, I recommend using plastic template sheets. Simply trace your printed template onto the plastic sheet and cut the shape out of the plastic. Remember: DO NOT USE your NON-fabric scissors.
Some quilting supply companies also sell templates of the most common cuts such as hexagons, circles, triangles and more . I cannot comment on these as I have never used them. I find them a little expensive and you are stuck with one size.
FUSSY CUTTING
Sometimes you may like to highlight a certain portion of that gorgeous fabric by centering it within your square. Fussy cutting refers to a method of choosing the portion of fabric you want to see in the quilt block. I fussy cut the large rose squares when making my first Simple Squares quilt.
To fussy cut, you will isolate the exact part of the print or pattern using either a template or your acrylic ruler and cut around it adding your seam allowance. Squares are cut one at a time. There is a great tutorial HERE
Remember to buy extra fabric to allow for the waste. Normally, I count how many designs I need to determine how much fabric to buy.
Both the center of the black squares and the border on this quilt have been fussy cut.
See how the motifs are centered into the squares. Originally they were cut into 4″ x 4″ squares but after sewing into the blocks, the squares are measuring 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ and the stars are centered just where I want them.
FINAL WORDS
You did it!! You have now cut all the pieces you need to sew that quilt top together. Watch for Part 6 where Nana will give you tips for sewing them all together.