In my quilting classes, people often wonder how I cut so many fabric pieces so fast. I remember the struggle and how long it would take to cut out my fabric shapes when I first began quilting. Sometimes even cutting one square at a time. So, I appreciate the challenges of learning to quilt.
This reminded me of the book "Practical Paleo" by Diane Sanfilippo, a cookbook that played a crucial role in improving my health and well-being. When I first adopted this dietary approach, I had no idea how to cook at all! Thankfully, Diane's book started with the basics, which I desperately needed. Right there in her book are instructions on how to chop an onion, how to chop a pepper, and finally how to chop anything.
You may be wondering how this applies to quilting. Well, let me tell you. Diane describes the approach on "How to cut anything" like this: First you cut into sticks and then cut the sticks down into smaller sized pieces. Big Sticks for a chop and little sticks to dice. Fabric is not much different except you cut your fabric into strips and your strips into the shapes needed (squares, rectangles, or triangles)
However, before delving into this fabric strip cutting method, let's first understand how to calculate the number of strips needed.
CALCULATING THE NUMBER OF STRIPS
Consider an example where a pattern requires forty 5” squares.
STEP 1: DETERMINE THE FABRIC PIECES AVAILABLE PER STRIP.
Assuming the average Width of Fabric (WOF) is 42 - 44 inches, let's use 42 inches for safety. The formula for determining the number of fabric shape pieces (squares, rectangles) per strip is:
Width of Fabric / Width of Fabric Shape = Number of fabrics shapes per strip
EXAMPLE: 42” WOF / 5” Squares = 8.4 Squares
STEP 2: CALCULATE THE NUMBER OF FABRIC STRIPS NEEDED
Knowing we can obtain eight 5” squares from each fabric strip, let's calculate how many strips we need for forty squares. The formula is:
Number of Fabric Shapes Needed / Number Per Strip = Number of Strips.
EXAMPLE: 40 squares / 8 squares per strip = 5 Strips
So, we need five 5” by WOF strips to get forty 5” squares. Now, let's explore how to efficiently cut out multiple fabric pieces as accurately as possible and as quickly as possible.
HINT: For easier calculations, consider using Robert Kaufman’s Quilting Calculator App as it performs all the math for you!
CUTTING YOUR FABRIC PIECES
Step 1: Starch and Press Your Fabric
Eliminating wrinkles so that your fabric lays evenly flat when cutting is a crucial step for precise cutting and stitching.
Step 2: Ensure a Sharp Blade is in Your Rotary Cutter
A sharp blade effortlessly cuts through fabric layers for accurate results. A dull blade will not because it can lead to pulling and tugging on your fabric leading to inaccurate results.
Step 3: Place & Prepare Your Fabric for Cutting
Place fabric on a cutting mat. I typically place my fabric with selvedge edges facing me and then will smooth it out for accurate cuts.
Step 4: Even Out Fabric Edges
Even out the side where you plan to begin cutting strips by aligning the ruler with the fabric's vertical edge. For me that's typically the far left side. Cut a straight line by trimming off about ½” to an inch of fabric. You can save the fabric slivers for future projects, such as a string quilt.
Step 5: Identify the Measurement Needed on Your Ruler
Familiarize yourself with your quilting tools and rulers, find and mark (if needed) the size needed (aka “the trim down line”). This step makes the cutting step efficient and accurate.
HINT: You can use highlighter tape or other specialty products to mark your rulers to create a visual cutting guide to help avoid mistakes.
Step 6: Cut Your Fabric Strips
Align the required trim down line on your ruler with the straight edge of your fabric and cut a strip by holding your ruler firmly in place and cutting along the edge of ruler with your rotary cutter. Repeat until you have the number of strips needed.
Hint: Use Invisi Grip by Omnigrid to prevent your ruler from slipping during cutting.
Step 7: Prepare Fabric Strips for Sub-Cutting
Lay your strips horizontally in fabric layers of 2, 4, 6, or 8. Ensure even fabric alignment, with selvedge edges facing left and fabric fold to the right (for right handers).
Step 8: Even Out Edges of Fabric Strips
Sliver off a small amount of fabric on the fabric's vertical edge, to create a straight edge for cutting out your fabric shape pieces also known as ‘sub-cutting.’
Step 9: Sub-Cut Your Fabric Shapes
Align the required trim down line on your ruler with the vertical edge of your strip. Make sure the horizontal edge of your fabric is also straight. You can do this by aligning a horizontal line on your ruler with the bottom and/or top of the horizontal sides of your fabric. This will make sure you cut accurate shapes. Repeat this process until you have cut through all your strips.
CONSIDER: Cut extra shapes in case you make a mistake and need to redo a unit.
In conclusion, this process of cutting fabric pieces is quick and accurate but requires practice and patience. Start with a couple of layers of fabric and work your way up. Use visual cues on your rulers to avoid mistakes. Use Invisi Grip to prevent your ruler from slipping during cutting and download Robert Kaufman’s Quilting Calculator for quick and easy sub-cutting math! You can also visit our YouTube Channel @Quilter's 911 to explore more quilting techniques, tutorials, and helpful tips! Thank you for reading!
Toni Raynolds
Pieced Perfection
