Cutting Things the Right Size

by Megan Austin-Turner
(Plainfield, IN)

I am ready to give up, and I have not even sewn anything yet. How in the world do you make sure you have a perfect rectangle?

I cut things and they end up bigger on one side, compared to the other. My first one was too small. UGH!!!! I seriously hope you have a magic answer, or the sewing machine is going on Ebay tomorrow.

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ANSWER

Please don't give up on quilting yet. I know you feel frustrated right now. But you can do this. I have a few suggestions.

First, are you cutting your fabric with scissors? Scissors are fine for sewing and crafting. But they're not accurate enough for use in quilting.

Quilting requires precision cutting and piecing. And, there's no better way to achieve this than to use rotary cutting tools. If you're serious about quilting, invest in a rotary cutter, rotary mat and ruler.

Click on images for more information



Rest assured, you can rely on rotary cutting tools to deliver accurate cuts.

If you've never used these tools before, I suggest you practice on scraps of fabric until you get the hang of it. Pretty soon, you'll be cutting strips like the pros.

Rule of Thumb: Measure TWICE...Cut ONCE.   It's a good insurance policy.

If you're already using these tools, check the accuracy of your seam allowance. If your seam allowances are off, even a little bit, your blocks could end up too small or too large. So, you must make certain that you're sewing accurate 1/4" seams.

In summary:

1.  Use rotary cutting tools.

2.  Check your seam allowance for accuracy.

3.  Practice, practice, practice.

4.  Measure TWICE and cut ONCE.

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