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Thread: Horrible cutter

  1. #1
    Coppertopquilter is offline Senior Member
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    Default 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

  2. #2
    MartinaG's Avatar MartinaG is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

    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.
    Sandy Navas likes this.
    Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Fabric
    Martina (aka MadQuilter in other forums)

  3. #3
    Coppertopquilter is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

    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!

  4. #4
    Marta's Avatar Marta is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

    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.
    Last edited by Marta; September 2nd, 2014 at 10:42 PM.

  5. #5
    Coppertopquilter is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

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

  6. #6
    Dollyquilts is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

    There is a Craftsy class on cutting.
    Coppertopquilter likes this.

  7. #7
    JCY's Avatar
    JCY
    JCY is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

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

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    slg0522 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

    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.

  9. #9
    easyquilts's Avatar easyquilts is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

    Quote Originally Posted by JCY View Post
    I never, never use the lines on the cutting mat! Always use your rulers for the best accuracy. JCY
    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....


    Sandy from Cincinnati


    AKA Kermit

  10. #10
    tesspug's Avatar tesspug is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Horrible cutter

    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
    Quilters never die, they just go batts.

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