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.....but why:icon_happy: I've noticed a couple of times Jenny has apologised for using 'the old fashioned way' to cut squares etc. She uses the cutting lines on her cutting board rather than relying on a ruler - love the way she counts the lines just to make sure. Which do you prefer - I'm starting to lean towards the cutting board. Someone on the forum said that you should always use the same ruler as they can differ. (I have 3 of different proportions but not all the same make) M-m-m-m??
I count the lines on my cutting mat or use 2 rulers at the same time. One to messure and one to cut along.
I use both the ruler and the mat lines. The reason suggested to get the same brand ruler is because it's easier to see the lines if you've learned how to read one brand. Not that the rulers are "made" with the measurements not right. Got to love her honesty in all things, that makes her such a great teacher don't you think? Like we are right there with her hearing her say, oops I know I shouldn't but... that tickles me too
I use both I count the lines on the board too, and use the same brand rulers most of the same that being omnigrid. works for me. I do believe there is no right or wrong way as long as you are consistent, each individual needs to find their perfect way.
Also a lot of my sewing girls have bought this cutter ruler and they love it and are so much more accurate in their cutting with it. I tried it and fore me it is bulky and awkward. I only use a 14 inch ruler when cutting as I have a small cutting area to work on.
I always use the rulers and all are the same brand.
I use both....the lines on the mat and my rulers. Any mis-cuts I've made by doing this are operator errors.
I use the lines on my mat to straighten the edge of my fabric but I use my ruler(s) to make my fabric cuts
I use the lines on my cutting mat. My first quilting class instructor cut fabric that way and it's the only way I've ever cut fabric.
I use the lines on the cutting mat. Have had good results so far using this method, I have lots of different rulers, it all depends where I am cutting and which one is not lost in a pile of scraps.
This is how I do the technique, too!Quote:
Originally Posted by Auntpiggylpn
I use both. Small cuts is mostly just by my ruler, but larger cuts I line up and measure. Measure twice, cut once. And still there is operator error :)
I might be doing this wrong. I use horizontal lines to lay down my fabric, and extend over on the right side maybe 1/8" over a line. I then cut off the overage to square up, and use the vertical mat lines to measure and cut. Oh, and I'm a counter - every single time. Might be why I take so long to make a quilt.
I do it all ways. Mostly I use the mat for that first squaring up cut. Then I measure and line up my ruler and since it matches with the lines on the mat I guess I use both at once. The only time I don't is when I am squaring a block. If I have the right sized square I use that. If I don't I use masking tape to mark the correct size of the block and then just line it up with the lines of the ruler and trim to size.
I use the mat lines and all different kinds of rulers interchangeably all the time. I have not had any problems yet with inconsistencies.
I use both...since my ruler is 6" wide, if what I'm cutting is under 6" I use the ruler, over 6" I use the mat.
I use both rulers and my mat - I think maybe the thought is that the mat will get somewhat distorted over time and that the ruler lines will never change or warp. But I still use my mat for measurements over 6 inches, and under my ruler for when the fabric fits
I use a ruler most of the time. It depends on what I am cutting and how accurate it needs to be.
[QUOTE=brenmar;417313].....but why:icon_happy: I've noticed a couple of times Jenny has apologised for using 'the old fashioned way' to cut squares etc. She uses the cutting lines on her cutting board rather than relying on a ruler - love the way she counts the lines just to make sure. Which do you prefer - I'm starting to lean towards the cutting board. Someone on the forum said that you should always use the same ruler as they can differ. (I have 3 of different proportions but not all the same make) M-m-m-m??
[/QUOTE
There is no reason....ever.....for Jenny to apologize for any of her methods..... They work.... I love seeing her count the inches on the mat..... Just like everyone does.... It's one of the things that make her a good teacher, and that endears her to all of us... Jenny is a real quilter...just like us....
I guess I am one who uses both techniques. I use the lines on the cutting board especially when cutting off the selvage. Sometimes I use the cutting mat, and other times I use the rulers. I think it depends on the size of what I am cutting and also if you are left handed or right handed. But I always count twice and cut once. It never fails....if I forget to count twice I end up making a cutting error.
I do have one ruler that isn't accurate. It's a 1x6". I use it for cutting 2.5" strips into squares and other small stuff. One end is about an eighth of an inch short.
I think the reason it is suggested that you not use the lines on the mat is over time, the lines will slowly wear off. I will have to agree that this does happen. I have one of the old-fashioned thick, opaque white mats. After 20 years, it have gotten to the point where some of the lines are pretty faded. I am looking at Santa bringing me a new one. Maybe even a super-sized one that fits the entire length of my cutting table! (I don't think I have been that good.)
My guess is that as long as you are consistent in how you measure, and that you double check before you slice, that will be what is important.
If it is something small that needs to be precise - use your rulers. Something larger, I use the lines on my table 36 x 60 mat. For instance, cutting 9" and 27" pieces for pillowcases - the mat is certainly close enough. I would use rulers for squaring up squares, though.
I only use the ruler because there is usually too much junk on my mat and I can't lay the fabric in the right orientation. Bad habit, I know.
That's how I do it too!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisapc
I agree. Also, don't always use the same brand of ruler. I use what works best at the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by dwil23
How odd - I'm the exact opposite - I use my rulers. My quilting instructor discouraged using the lines on the mat, she even flipped the mat over so we wouldn't be tempted to use it.Quote:
Originally Posted by DCM
This is how I cut fabric as well. It seems to work pretty well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Auntpiggylpn
Lin
You too? I'm amazed at how quickly my big mat gets covered.... I find myself literally pushing things aside, just so I can cut...or lay something out...Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinaG
My rulers are in centimeters so I use them to measure in cms., even if I have my mat on the cms side. I use the back side of my cutting mat, which is in inches, to measure inches.
I must also confess that some of the lines on my mat's centimeter grid have had a "hot iron accident" and are not straight anymore... :0 ...
I have heard or read that the reason you should always use one brand of rulers is due to the thickness of the lines marking the different measurements - you could be as much as 1/16 or 1/8 of an inch off between different brands. Am I that accurate of a cutter or quilter? No! I think if you use the same methods every time, you are accurate enough in my book. Then again, I am not looking to win any quilting awards.
I love how Jenny counts and does it twice most of the time - she lives and teaches in the real world. :)
I use the mat and count like Jenny, but use a ruler to cut it straight - although that doesn't mean I always cut straight!
I have seen this discussion on these boards before, and I went and checked my rulers against my mat and they were dead on the same. But I use both ways, depending on how big a cut I am making. If I am cutting something longer or wider than my ruler, I line it up and count off on my mat and use my ruler as my straight edge for cutting. If I am making a smaller cut, I'll use a line on my mat to be sure I have a straight edge, square up what I am cutting, and use my ruler to measure then cut. I am of the opinion that you should use whatever method works best for you. As long as the cut is straight and accurate, does it really matter what method you use?
For me it depends. If I'm making an intricate quilt pattern that really demands perfect cutting for success, I use my ruler only and I stick with the same one throughout the process. But if I am making a pattern that is less demanding (like a double slice layer cake quilt) then using the lines on my mat works well. But whether I use my mat or my rulers, I always double check by counting! :D