Let's Share Our Favorite Cutting Tips

[janbee]

I admit that I am so glad when I get a quilt cut out. I get tired before I finish cutting. I want to sew, not cut. I know some of you have shared that cutting is your favorite part of quilting. Since, I make bed size quilts all the time, it takes me hours to cut out a quilt. My latest adventure is a queen size quilt that uses lots of 1-1/2" strips and all of those strips are sewn together to make 4 patch and 16 patch units--need I say more?? Lots of cutting and sewing on this one.

Do you cut out the entire quilt at one time or do you wait to cut the borders, binding, etc.

I will start. I always use spray starch to press my fabric before I start cutting. This just makes the fabric cut so much easier.

And I change my rotary cutter blade at the first sign that it is dull. I have no patience for a dull rotary blade.

[sewelegant]

I always wait to cut borders & binding. I want to see the squares put together first. Sometimes I change my mind on border color(s). I don't want to waste fabric.

[Carrie J]

I cut all pattern pieces first, then assemble. Borders and binding I cut last, I like to look at the top for a couple of days before making my mind up on those. I've also changed my posture/stance at the cutting board, which had made cutting easier by watching the Martelli "ergonomic" videos. Cut with the right side of my body in line with the rotary cutter and the edge of the ruler, much more satisfactory cuts and less tiring as well.

[Fl girl]

I cut enough to make one block first. Next I cut enough to make a row of blocks. I keep going back and forth until the blocks are finished. I usually do not buy border fabrics until the block part is sewn together. I guess I do it this way because it keeps me interested as I see the quilt "grow".

If I am cutting a lot of one shape I mark my ruler with painter's tape so I don't have to keep searching for the measurement I need.

[Terry L]

I am all over the place when it come to staying focus and cutting. I cut enough for a few blocks then sew then back to cutting. I love seeing the blocks come together

[Pandabear]

My routine

Step 1: check that the band aids are easily accessabe. There will be blood at some point.
Step 2: cut enough for one block to test it out if at all possible
Step 3: cut out all fabric needed for project - this may take a day or two
Step 4: curse a bit while applying bandage to most recent rotary blade accident
Step 5: sew everything together - pin if necessary - more bandages if pins are involved
Step 6: cut binding, sew, more bandages will be needed at some point in this process

[Simply Quilting]

I will usually cut out all of my fabric except for the binding and borders as I would rather measure the quilt after to make sure that I have the right measurements. I do sometimes change my mind about the binding color so I like to wait to see what I want after the quilt is done.

There are some quilts (like the Missouri Star) that I am planning on making at least one practice block before I even start with the real fabric.

[Kgrammiecaz]

I am like a couple other, I cut one block out and make it to be sure all cuts work correctly. Then I cut enough for about 4 blocks at a time. If cutting strips I press and starch first. I do not want to cut all at once in case I go on to another projrct for a bit, I am less likely to misplace pieces. I do not always have borders and binding decided yet, so they get dut when I am ready to do them.

[Iris Girl]

I cut enough for 1 block. Then I sew and see how it goes. Then I cut enough for 2 or 3 blocks and sew. I never cut for an entire quilt, because then I have a huge pile that looks to over whelming and I lose interest. I do not cut borders or sashing til I am ready for that step.

[Bubby]

I cut on the kitchen island. Because we have hard tile floors I make sure I wear shoes. I tend to wear slippers or socks in the house and the shoes make a difference in how long I can stand and cut.

It's a good idea to cut enough for one block and sew it together to make sure the measurements are accurate.

Pressing your fabric before cutting really helps. I use Best Press most of the time.

Make sure your blade is sharp and change it at the first sign of dullness.

If I need to cut a lot of pieces in different sizes, I write the measurements on a small dry erase board and keep it handy so I don't have to try to remember all the dimensions.

I don't cut borders or binding until my quilt top is pieced. At that point I figure out whether or not it needs borders and how many. Sometimes I get Border Block and it takes me a few days to decide.

I keep my rotary cutters in eyeglass cases when not in use.