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How do you cut your quilt pieces

14 years ago

Do you cut all your pieces out or for row or number of blocks or what.

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Comments (11)

Carol_from_ny
14 years ago
Depends on the quilt. When I do paper piecing and I'm trying to use up scraps I seldom cut anything till I'm working on that block.
If I'm doing something from a book or pattern for the first time I will do a test block first. You won't believe the number of mistakes I've found in supposedly professional patterns.
After that I cut all the pieces for all the blocks unless the directions state otherwise. Rotary cutting makes cutting pieces much easier.
If you use a wooden drying rack to lay out your longer cut pieces and your completed rows it helps to keep things organized.
finchelover
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes,we also found a mistake on a pattern. I did several test blocks and after a day and half my husband and I think we have it figured out,it looks ok but I am so scared if I cut more than for few blocks there may be a boobo. I guess its just nerves afraid something else could be wrong. I hate to loose some nice fabric
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mary_c_gw
14 years ago
I never cut everything at a time.

If it's a new block I'm trying out, I'll cut enough for one, and make my test block.

For simple blocks I know well, I'll cut enough for 5-10 blocks if I can do chain sewing on them.

I find it better to spread out the activities. Cut a few, sew a few, press a few, then back to cutting. It's easier on the hands and muscles.
grammyp
14 years ago
If I'm using only one block, I will make a test block and make notes on mistakes or problems to watch for. If the test block doesn't work out, I cut one more and try again. If all blocks will use the same fabric, then I will cut out all the pieces needed for the quilt (plus a few extra), stack them up and start piecing. If they are to be scrappy I cut out for one block at a time. FYI, most of mine are scrappy and lap or twin size, so there isn't a great deal of investment. Test blocks are used for pillows, or sampler type quilts that don't have all one size blocks.

beverly
finchelover
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks all. Grammyp that was trouble there are triangles and ???/oblong I tested several and Finally it came out right after some figuring. Wish me luck tomorrow.
grammyp
14 years ago
Good luck!

beverly
teresa_nc7
14 years ago
I'm in the same camp with Mary C - I never cut all the pieces needed for the quilt at one time. What if I decided I didn't like the block? or wanted to change a color or two? I don't like to waste fabric either. Maybe I decide I only want to make a lap quilt instead of a full size? I make a lot of scrap quilts too, or combine my scraps with fabrics in my stash mixing up the colors as I go.

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nanajayne
14 years ago
I have never cut all my blocks out as one time but most of mine are scrappy. Sometimes I am not even sure what the end result is going to be. I have cut all the sq.s need for a block at one time but that is a close as I get.
Jayne
lindaoh_gw
14 years ago
I like to do all my cutting before I start sewing. I usually study the pattern and if I question the cutting directions, I will make one block to make sure it is sized correctly. I will then cut everything for the quilt except the borders. I do cut the strips for the borders but don't cut the exact size till I have the top finished. I measure the quilt to make sure it is the correct size before cutting the borders to fit.
Linda
solstice98
14 years ago
I don't do scrappy much so typically I'll cut and make one block or one section, then cut everything. That way I can come home from work and just get right to sewing because everything is cut and ready.
jennifer_in_va
14 years ago
I guess I'm 'odd man out' here. I think I always cut the entire quilt first. I do as much as I can by chain piecing and want to sit down and work as quickly as I can. Borders are planned up front, but are usually cut after the body of the top is complete.

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