![]() You can get that perfect ½” by aligning the ½”mark on the ruler to the 5th mat gridline, counting right to left from the trimmed/squared end. First, with the fabric folded and the end squared, place the ruler 4½” from the trimmed end. ![]() Place this trimmed/squared end along a grid line on the mat. You can cut factional sizes just as easily.įollow the same steps as above to double-fold and square the first edge. We created a second sample to cut 4½” squares, showing you that with a properly marked ruler, your squares don’t need to be whole numbers (such as our 12” x 12” above). Unfold to reveal your two, perfectly squared 12″ x 12″ pieces with which to work. NOTE: As mentioned above, if you need rectangle, you’d keep sliding for the wider width.Īs you’ve done above, double check the vertical alignment from the ruler to the mat gridlines. Once again, you can see in the photo below that our ruler is 12 squares to the left of the sliced edge. Slide your ruler 12” to the left from the newly trimmed/squared end of the fabric. Using the rotary cutter, trim away the selvedge. To do this, align the ruler with a vertical gridline close to the selvedge ends. The other 6” end to the left (outside the frame of the photo in our picture) is folded edges.Īlign the cut edges (the 22” edges) along a horizontal gridline on the cutting mat. The 6” end to the right is free layers – the remaining selvedges. The piece is now folded to 6” x approximately 22” - so it is the perfect height but wider than needed. Re-fold it so the two cut edges are aligned. Using the rotary cutter, slice along the 12” line. As in the steps above, the ruler’s vertical lines should be flush with the gridlines of the mat. Confirm this alignment both above and below the fabric. The ruler’s edge should be perfectly aligned with the grid at the 12” measurement. You can see in the photo below that our ruler is 12 squares to the left of the sliced edge. For extra security, you could tape that edge in place or use pattern weights. With the fabric still double-folded, make sure the newly trimmed/squared end remains aligned with the vertical gridline on the cutting mat. Using the rotary cutter, slice off the ragged edge. This ensures that the cut will be accurate. The first step in squaring your fabric is to align the ruler with a vertical gridline close to that ragged edge.Ĭonserve fabric when squaring get as close as possible to the innermost layer. The vertical markings on the ruler should match the gridlines of the cutting mat. Position the folded fabric on the cutting mat so the center fold (the 18” folded edge) is aligned with a horizontal gridline on the cutting mat and the “ragged” 11” side is to your right. Your folded piece is now 18” x 22”.įold in half again so the selvedges are now parallel with the center fold and the fabric is smooth and even. Hey! The photos are set-up to better show the layers we are “in the process” of aligning but stopped just short so you can more clearly see the layers and/or folds.įold the fabric in half so the selvedges match. In the steps below, you’ll see the instructions say to “align” edges but the photos show the edges slightly off-set. From this yardage, we want to cut two perfect 12” x 12” squares. We started with a half yard cut of a standard 44” WOF (width of fabric) quilting cotton (18” x 44”). Simply follow the first steps as-is to cut the height then slide the ruler as needed for the greater needed width. The samples below show squares (12” x 12” and 4½” x 4½”), but the technique also works for rectangles. We love the wonky look of some modern quilting, but in most situations, having a cut with perfectly straight sides and exact 90˚ corners makes construction so much easier and more precise. ![]() ![]() This is especially true for beginners, but is really great advice for us all.įor this technique, arm yourself with a rotary cutter, a cutting mat with ½” and/or 1” gridlines, and a 3″-6” x 12” quilter’s ruler, which is the kind with both horizontal and vertical markings down to at least ¼”, down to ⅛ ” is even better. When you have the right tools, every project is easier… and more precise. Read on for our easy folding, aligning, and cutting tips plus ruler recommendations. This is a technique that belongs in everyone’s sewing toolbox. If you’ve ever tried to work with fabric cuts are that are not straight and true, you know why it’s so important to square-up your fabric.
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