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From: rodi88
Date: 03-12-2006, 05:03 PM (1 of 14)
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How do you ladies cut the strips for the sashings and for the outside borders? I have a small cutting board, and need to know the best way to do this Thanks Diane |
User: rodi88
Member since: 03-12-2003 Total posts: 27 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-12-2006, 06:24 PM (2 of 14)
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If I have enough fabric, I will cut the sashing along the lenghtwise grain otherwise I will use the crosswise grain. I usually cut the borders along the length of the fabric. Since the length wise grain does not stretch like the crosswise grain, most quilting books will tell you to cut the strips along the lenght of your fabric - better chance that both sides will be the same lenght after the borders are applied. Hope this helps.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-12-2006, 08:18 PM (3 of 14)
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I just realized that you probably want tips on how to cut the strips. My cutting mat is 24x36. For the sashings, I fold the fabric in half and use a 12 1/2 square with a 6x24 ruler to measure the width of strip to cut (e.g. cut a 12 1/2" wide strip) and then I will sub-cut that strip lengthwise into the width I want my sashing strips (e.g. 3 "). To cut my borders, I use the 36" side of my mat. I know that others would probably have a different method, but I cut one strip at a time, If I needed to cut two 80" strips for the long side, I would cut off the selvedge and then cut my strips one at a time along the lengthwise grain of the fabric. I do it this way because I have to cut a bit, move the fabric, cut a bit, move, etc. I find that if I an cutting two thicknesses of fabric for the borders, when the fabric is moved the layers shift and you can't seem to get them back together and it is hard to cut accurately. I find that a 24x36 mat is a good basic size for cutting quilts. If you don't have that size, you could buy others and place them together with the one you have to make a larger mat. Just make sure that the mats are the same thickness. Once I bought one to abut with my mat to have longer than 36", but the mat was thicker so it didn't work. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: rodi88
Date: 03-14-2006, 10:14 AM (4 of 14)
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Thanks Juddee for the info you posted. I will look for a larger cutting board. I would not like for you ladies to see my squares as they are far from perfect, but then it is mine and will be on my bed and no one will be judging. lol maybe one day i will learn how to do this. Wish I had someplace to take some lessons, but there isn't anyplace around here in south georgia, us. guess it is to warm for quilts and people just don't do it. maybe one day!!! Diane 
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User: rodi88
Member since: 03-12-2003 Total posts: 27
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From: Magot
Date: 03-14-2006, 04:02 PM (5 of 14)
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Personally I never have material long/big enough to cut a strip all at once so mine are usually cut in sectons and sewn together. Maybe not as professional as some but it works for me!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Mariellen
Date: 03-14-2006, 07:32 PM (6 of 14)
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Hi all....Rodi, first of all, don't drive yourself nuts trying to have everything perfect. The way I look at it that little "mistakes" add to the homemade look. If I want perfect, I will buy a quilt. Are there any Joann Fabric stores around you? Or any quilt shops? I just finished my first class and it was at a Joanns. Check your local phone book for quilt shops. Good luck and keep up your great attitude.
If I had known that grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!!
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User: Mariellen
Member since: 02-16-2006 Total posts: 58 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-15-2006, 05:11 PM (7 of 14)
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Rodi88, have you ever checked out the Quilter's Corner on this site. There are some good tips for beginner quilters and excerpts from the first quilting book that I bought - Singer The Quilt Bible. They have a small section on Rotary Cutting. Maybe you will get some helpful info. http://www.fabriclandwest.com/quilters%20corner/quilters_corner.htm TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: mmeblueberry
Date: 03-15-2006, 06:15 PM (8 of 14)
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Wish I had someplace to take some lessons, but there isn't anyplace around here in south georgia, us. guess it is to warm for quilts and people just don't do it. I'm in Tallahassee, FL, and we have a GREAT quilt shop where I learned.  Don't know how far that is from you, as "south Georgia" could mean a variety of places, but let me know if it's close enough that you want more info!
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User: mmeblueberry
Member since: 03-22-2003 Total posts: 10 |
From: AdvaP
Date: 03-16-2006, 02:47 AM (9 of 14)
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Are any of these shops close to you? even an hour drive is worth it for someone to show you properly how to cut. Pretty as a Peacock 801 E. King Ave. Kingsland, GA (912) 576-4646 It's just off of Interstate 95, near the southeast Georgia/Florida state line. Janet's Fashion Fabrics 223 East Water Street Bainbridge, GA 31717 (229) 246-5674 Peace by Piecing 2216 Fairfield Place Valdosta, GA 31602 (229) 244-9420 Web: www.peacebypiecing.com Adva Price
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User: AdvaP
Member since: 10-15-2000 Total posts: 325 
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From: nativetexan
Date: 03-16-2006, 01:51 PM (10 of 14)
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some people tear their fabric. i've only done it once but some swear by it. easier than trying to make those long cuts.
CC
http://photos.yahoo.com/ccase5 |
User: nativetexan
Member since: 11-15-2005 Total posts: 57 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-16-2006, 04:18 PM (11 of 14)
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I don't tear the fabric as the edges become sort of "stretched" and are not real flat for sewing to the rest of the quilt blocks.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: AdvaP
Date: 03-16-2006, 04:24 PM (12 of 14)
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I do that when I need to get rid of a long salvage edge. It tears right on the grain so you're sure it's straight, but you have do it in one swift motion, and it's good when you're angry LOL.
Adva Price
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User: AdvaP
Member since: 10-15-2000 Total posts: 325
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From: Bama
Date: 03-16-2006, 04:53 PM (13 of 14)
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I always tear my border strips. I press them before sewing and have never had a problem as long as I tear with the length of the fabric and not the width. I cut my sashing strips though. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: rodi88
Date: 03-17-2006, 08:22 PM (14 of 14)
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Thanks for all the info that all of you have posted. I live about 80 miles north of Jacksonville, in a small town, and no fabric stores of shops close by. 30 miles to wall mart , so that is where most of my fabric comes from, except of special trips to joannes. I guess i would like things to be perfect, but just can't get it there, so am happy with how it turns out. Maybe i will get an E for effort. lol thanks again' Diane
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User: rodi88
Member since: 03-12-2003 Total posts: 27
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