Just because I'm curious... do most of you guys cut all of your fabric pieces out first and then sew them together or do you "cut as you go"... like cut what you need for the moment, sew it together, then cut some more???
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Just because I'm curious... do most of you guys cut all of your fabric pieces out first and then sew them together or do you "cut as you go"... like cut what you need for the moment, sew it together, then cut some more???
so far I have been cutting before I start sewing.
Depends upon what I'm doing. If I have several of the same blocks I'd cut it all out before I start and try to chain stitch as much as I could to simplify things. Some quilts call for different blocks so I'd probably do those one at a time . . . If it was a new pattern and I wasn't sure if I'd like doing the whole quilt in it I'd definitely cut scraps and try it first before cutting a bunch of new fabric.
I cut one block and sew it together....if everything works out okay with the first block, I cut the rest out. Sometimes there are mistakes in pattern directions (oh, say it isn't so!!!). Hugs, Barb
Ditto! Although I might cut enough for 2 blocks...just incase I need an extra squareQuote:
Originally Posted by Bubby
Like Sandy said. If I'm doing the same block for the entire quilt then I cut everything out at once. I am a believer in chain piecing if possible. But if the pattern calls for two different blocks then I do it one section at a time before putting the rows together.
I cut everything at once..I hate stopping
I often design as i go so i will usually cut everything for one particular block that i need several of. Piece those together and hang on the design wall. Then i stand back and look and talk to myself a fair bit and thennnnnnnnnnn ...............etc etc.
If however I have had a brain storm and design the whole thing and am sure i wont change my mind I STILL cut out for the blocks row by row lol.
One does have to remember though if one gets arty farty and add a 1 and a half inch row as i did recently......one MUST include that in the maths for the rest of the quilt or it can all go horrible wrong!
Oh that does make sense! You ladies are so smart!!!
I tend to cut everything at once. Sometimes this is impossible to do (I.E. Bonnie hunter's mystery quilt was cut as you go since we didn't get all the instructions up front) but I hate cutting so I do it first to get it out of the way.
If it's a new pattern I will do as Sandy does....if everything works okay and I like the block then I will cut but I always double check my instructions as I have made mistakes cutting and had to buy additional fabric to finish project...so once I get my sample block done then cut it all!
I don't cut all before, I am mostly too excited to get started.. so I cut some fabric, and when I have used that up, I cut some more.
Sometimes I really don't know how much I'll need exactly, especially, when I'm making log-cabins, I never know whether I have enough strips or not..
In most cases i do cut everything first. Like Sandy and others have mentioned, if it a new pattern/technique i will do a test run with scraps.
If I'm on a roll cutting, I might cut several projects out in an afternoon. i have also spent time going thru my scrap bag and cutting shapes for future projects, my favorite being the tumbler and half hex from MSQC. I keep adding pieces to a ziploc bag until i have enough to do a project.
Good idea, Barb. I usually cut everything out first, then sew. I guess that's mostly because I worked on the kitchen table and it was a little crowded to do it as I go. I think I will start doing the one block to see if it is okay and then cut the rest. Thanks for the idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubby
A bit of this and a bit of that ... mainly because I have been known to decide that a pattern I'm working on is heading down the Road to Boring and drastically change direction on the way.
By the way Bec, what is that cute little bird on your avatar?
That is a really cute bird! I'd like to know also.
I like to live on the edge. It's more efficient to cut it all out at one time. I do all the cutting first and chain piece as much as I can. I read and re-read each step in the cutting process so I avoid making mistakes. My mistakes usually happen when I'm piecing something together. For example, I was definitely making some really stupid piecing mistakes last night and getting really angry. Lots of unsewing goin' on. Dang it!!!
With the first quilt top, I cut all the pieces at one time. With the 2nd and 3rd quilts that I'm working on, I made a test block first, then cut enough pieces for several blocks at a time, partly because I didn't buy enough yardage in the beginning.
This is just how I do it too.Quote:
Originally Posted by LynneLeavell
Hey guys... that cute little bird is a tufted titmouse!
I don't like the cutting, so sometimes I set out a week for just cutting and cut several projects and put them in project boxes so I can just sew.
What sandy said
IBeing new to the cutting of squares and tri's etc...I started cutting all out at one time. However.with so many mistakes and mis cut squares and such...I have discovered 2 things that help me alot.
1. cut pieces a scant more than what you need...about 1/8 inch. If you want a 2" square, and are supposed to cut it 2,1/2" to allow for 1/4" seam allowance on each side. I did this and they never came out matching..always to short, crooked etc. So I tried it with the scant 1/8" inch...and it worked out perfectly. I am working with them now and everything is sewing together just right.
2. While on this project, since I am working with strips and rows....I am doing one "thing" at a time. My kitchen table is the other side of the house from my sewing room, but I need the exercise! So I measure and cut the strips that go around the middle square, go sew/press them. Go back out to the table, and measure and cut the next set of strips, go sew/press. It sounds like alot of movement, but like I said...good way to get exercise and not so weighed down at the machine.
I do see that maybe with the squares assembly this might not work...so I would cut enough squares for 2-3 at a time. That way, if I have made a mistake, ALL my fabric isn't used up! I learned this on a quilt I have the top done, but need to starte layering it...I cut squares out for the whole quilt, and then sewed them up and the blocks didn't match..some bigger some smaller. So I had to cut out the WHOLE set of squares AGAIN...and this time...they were all TO SMALL!! So I had to cut them out AGAIN....and well...I finallly ran out of fabaric and had to adjust them..and my once wanted 12" blocks are now 8" blocks! So, if I had done 203 blocks at a time, I would have found this out LONG TIME AGO!!!