Horrible cutter

I spent a lot of time cutting 5 inch squares for my Sea of Squares quilt and now that I am assembling them I realize they are off slightly errr..... Instead of using charm packs I cut from fats but I just don't know where I screwed up :( Instead of being a quick quilt I am going to have to measure and recut. Here is the pattern if your not familiar with it...Christa?s Quilt Along 4.3 ? Sea of Squares Blocks | Christa Quilts

Any suggestions on better cutting? I am wondering if I should take a class or something

Did you press the seams out?
Did you cut them individually or did you layer a few on top of each other?
Did you square up one side first so you have a straight edge with which to align the ruler?
What ruler did you use?
Is your rotary cutter sharp?
How do you hold the ruler - did it have a chance to move on you?
How are they off - too short on one side, paralellogram, wonky?

When I cut, I usually stand over my work so I can put pressure on the ruler. I trim one side and align the ruler perpendicular to that first cut. I make sure that I firmly place my fingers on the ruler and then cut. The rotary cutter must run exactly along the edge of the ruler and not at an angle. My ruler has heavy black lines, and I have to gauge the alignment in the center of that black line.

I cut very similar to you except, I am thinking I cut at an angle! I have never thought of this before. I layer 2/3 layers and cut. I am only off maybe 1/8 an inch but its enough that stuff is not matching up correctly. I haven't switched out my blade in quite awhile so that may be the problem too. Thanks for responding!

I took a class where we used yardage and then went back another day and had a private lesson and cut pieces for a toddler throw from fat quarters. Two most important things I learned were how to square-up the fabric and to use the ruler not the mat lines as my guides. Money well spent . I was wasting fabric and really getting discouraged .Do a search on Youtube . There are several videos with methods of squaring fabric.

Thanks! I was taught to use the mat lines in conjunction with the ruler I guess I was taught wrong!

There is a Craftsy class on cutting.

I never, never use the lines on the cutting mat! Always use your rulers for the best accuracy. JCY

A new blade makes a big difference. I'm terrible about changing blades, I finally decided to change it and couldn't believe the difference it makes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JCY

I never, never use the lines on the cutting mat! Always use your rulers for the best accuracy. JCY

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I do the same.... My first instructor taught us to use the ruler, so we would not be dependent on the mat lines.

The only times I use the mat lines is when I'm doing that first straight cut (or a later straightening cut... Otherwise, I use the lines on my rulers....

I use the June Taylor shape cutter. Just make sure you fold your fabric straight, then use the guides on the ruler. Turn the strips sideways and cut again and you have square. I put grip strips on my rulers so they don't move. Shape Cut? Demonstration Video - June Tailor Demo Videos

Everyone's answer is on target. Another thing I learned is...how hard to you press the rotary cutter down? With a dull blade you tend to press harder or even if you are not standing above, but sitting...as you press that blade along the ruler, it is pressing the fabric being cut DOWN...ever so slightly, not even noticable...to the cutter, but that tad bit of pressure on all four sides can cause the measurement to come out nearly 1/4 inch off...little off each side. (Not sure if I said that so it makes sense!) But this is why they say don't cut more than 2 layers, use a sharp blade and stand above the cutting.

The only time I use the lines on the mat is to line up the fold of the fabric (I cut from yardage) to a line, then cut the bottom edge with the ruler, making the first straight edge cut. Then start at the bottom (where you just cut straight) and use that bottom edge and the fold side to line the lines of the ruler up with then start cutting. Annoying that such a tiny little thing can cause a major problem! But just get your system going and you'll be able to cut them just right!

Wow, that could be my problem, I use the Matt cutting lines, I'm doing a block of the month at my local quilt shop, and my finished block is not the measurement it's suppose to be, I'm lightly starching, That could be the answer.

Attachment 86365, this is the quilt

I use mat lines and ruler lines in conjunction with each other. Never have an issue. I think the main thing is do it the same all the time. does not matter which lines you use as long as you are doing it the same way each time. Not using mat one cut and ruler another. But then I am not a perfectionist and I tweak things to make them work. But thats me.

Martelli rulers are non-slip. Their rotary cutters are ergonomic - no pressure on the wrist.
And their cutting mat matches accurately with the 6" by 24" ruler.

Using a new blade makes a BIG difference!!!