Uneven fabric at the cutting table ????

[snippet]

I hate wonky fabric too! grrrr. It just amazes me that they can't cut a straight line, or one even close! And they cut exactly what you ordered, leaving no room to straighten out the uneven cut.

My sister swears by the little rough dots she's put on all her rulers. Another friend decided to give away all her rulers and go with OmniGrip stuff. It's OmniGrid's version on non slippery rulers. She loves them.

Martelli has a really neat rotary cutter, the ErgoCutter. It looks weird but it is easy on the hands. Click on the link and click on a product to read more and see the video about them. You might want to buy one. We sure don't want you to give up on quilting!

I hope you get healthy and avoid anymore illnesses.

[Netter]

Creative grid rulers are the best but unfortunately i can't afford all that I want. For those thst are not creative grid i use the clear first aid tape on the bottom of the ruler in various spots. I can still see through it and it helps with the slipping. I did not like the dots you can buy because if i wanted to nudge the ruler a little it pulled the fabric.

[mspepper]

I have rulers that have a lip on one end, the lip hooks on my cutting mat and does not let the ruler slide. Not sure what I would do with them.

[HdWench]

wondeful ideas!! I've been walking my bit 6x24 ruler about 1/3 at a time and now I see these cool products!!

Here is one that caught my eye - No slip ruler JUST the width of the strip you want to cut.

I have the June Taylor Shape Cut Plus but... you also need a smaller rotary to fit in those tiny lines (and I've seen my lines wave) cuz the plastic isn't all that "sturdy" --- If I won the lotto lmao Oh heck I'd have someone DO all the cutting but also those neat Accuquilt Cutters (pretty pricey when starting out).

That said, yep tried a bit o spray basting, it works but has it's own set of issues... The dot... Well sometimes I DO want to move my ruler *sigh*

Now that I saw the rulers in special width that grip the fabric -- hmm next holiday is Valentines wonder if that is a "sweet" enough present :-)

Good luck, really practice, practice and more cutting practice makes it better :-)

Off cuts - At some stores they GIVE you a bit extra so you can at least get the FQ size after squaring up, not a the "big" stores... The larger yardage I get there are other issues (maybe not squared up but a 10 yard piece seamed about 8 yards into it!!!)

You'll find your groove, let us know which option(s) you try and how you like or don't each one too!

:-Debbie

[coffeebreak]

My problem is..they cut it straight but when I pre wash the fabric...that is when it gets wonky. If I match up the salvage edges, it doesn't create a even fold. If I make an even fold, the salvage edges are wonky. So the fabric has shrunk to some point in some way...dont' understand it, but I just make an even fold and cut from there. That is why I dont' understand it when people say they don't pre wash yardage...if it shrinks in a pre wash, it is going to shrink in a finished quilt.

[redcaboose1717]

I want to thank everyone who has posted on this thread so far ! You have given me some great ideas, you really have.

Believe it or not, I came up with a NO cost idea on how to how secure the 6"x 24" EZ Ruler I have !!! Here's what I have done, and it works like a charm.....and the best thing it didn't cost me a single thing !

I was thinking about stopping at Harbor Motor Freight to get a couple of those Grabber Handles ( there are several different names for these things. Anyway, after cleaning up my sewing room in the afternoon, I suddenly had an awesome idea for my dilemma ! YAHOO !! As I walked out of my craft /sewing room, there sat my Big Shot die cutting machine !! I suddenly wondered that, due to the fact that the Big Shot Die Cutting machine is sort of heavy, if it would "HOLD" the ruler in place so that I could cut my fabric(??? ) Well, I quickly decided to try it. This is what I did for those of you who are having the same dilemma !!

As I said, I set up the fabric and placed the EZ Ruler on top of the fabric. I then placed the Big Shot machine on "TOP" of the plexi-glass ruler ( in the middle ) .....Taking my rotary cutter in hand, I quickly sliced through the fabric....Presto ! It worked !!

I was so happy I didn't have to go out into the holiday shopping crowds yesterday !!! Yay ! I wanted to take a photo of this for everyone to see, but I am having a problem with my iPhone, and need to take it into my iPhone provider.

I hope this helps those of you who also mentioned you were having the same problem !

[redcaboose1717]

Snippet,
Do you ( or anyone else as well ) know where the rough dots were purchased by your sister ? Even though I think I found this awesome idea on how to secure the fabric underneath the EZ Ruler I have, it always helps to have a back up or "Plan B" just in case.

[snippet]

Snippet,
Do you ( or anyone else as well ) know where the rough dots were purchased by your sister ? Even though I think I found this awesome idea on how to secure the fabric underneath the EZ Ruler I have, it always helps to have a back up or "Plan B" just in case.

I think she got them at JoAnn's

[Joan@DebtofGratitude]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned using a strip of shelf liner to keep your ruler stuck to your fabric. Just cut a small strip of the rubbery shelf liner (any brand) and place it between your fabric and ruler. The fabric won't budge.

I don't use it all the time, but I use it frequently when doing long cuts (more than 10") because that's when my ruler tends to slip most.

[Lilly]

It is still available:

Amazon.com: O'Lipfa 5-Inch-by-24-Inch Lip Edge Ruler: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Check it out, I love mine so much I may order another one (mine is old)

oooh - this is my favorite! And I have the 36" long as well. But I do have to watch them on the longer pieces. So I think maybe the nexcare tape at the top is the answer. Thank you everyone for all the great ideas and especially thank you red caboose!! PS, I'll be praying for your autoimmune disease. I get very sick and achy from dairy and other foods and tho I'm sure I'm not as sick as you it does impact my quilting.