Cutting precise building blocks for your quilt is the foundation for exact placement, and, ultimately, a neat and professional-looking quilt. Using a rotary cutter is the best way to get a precise cut and the easiest way to cut large amounts of quilting squares quickly.
Things You'll Need
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Square ruler
Step 1: Calculating size
When using a quilting pattern, the size of the squares is already provided in the instructions. However, when quilting your own design, take the full length and width of the finished quilt into account, and work your way backwards.
First, decide the number of squares in one row. Then, divide the full width and length of the quilt with that number to get the square measurements without seam allowances. Finally, add seam allowances. For example, if you're using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, add 1/2 inches in each direction. So, in the case of a finished square size of 4-by-4 inches, cut 4 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch squares.
Tip
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Make sure to pre-wash and iron your fabric before cutting.
Step 2: Cut long strips
Fold your fabric so that the edges are aligned, until the fabric block is smaller or equal in length to the square ruler. Next, place the ruler on top of the fabric, aligning the edge of the fabric with the desired square width marking on the ruler.
Hold the ruler in place with one hand, and press the rotary cutter against the edge of the ruler with the other hand. Then make the cut.
Tip
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For a precision cut, hold the blade of the rotary cutter against the ruler while cutting.
Step 3: Cutting squares
Place the strips of fabric on top of each other, making sure to align all the edges. Place the square ruler on top of the fabric strips so that the ends of the strips are aligned with the square width marking on the ruler and the upper and lower edges are also aligned with the lines on the ruler. This ensures that all angles are 90 degrees.
Follow the directions in step 2 to cut the squares.
Tip
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Rotary cutters are powerful and can cut more than one layer of fabric at a time. The optimal amount of layers is four to seven, depending on the sharpness of the blade and the weight of the fabric. Change your blades often for better results.
Step 4: Sewing quilt blocks
Once the quilt squares are cut, assemble and sew them into blocks according to the pattern or your original design.
When sewing together squares, make sure to align all edges of the squares for best results. Also, make sure to keep the seam allowances the same throughout the sewing process.
Tip
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Press all seam allowances as you sew to easily align seams and sew more precise lines.
Step 5: Square up the quilt blocks
To square up a quilt block means to recut sewn quilting blocks into precise squares before joining them together.
Quilts consist of a large number of smaller pieces and have many seams. This means that small variations within every seam can add up to mismatched seams and different-sized quilt blocks. To rectify those variations, cut the quilt blocks into precise squares again, before joining them into the finished quilt.
When the quilt block is the same width as the square ruler, place the ruler on top of the quilt block, aligning the center element with the center of the ruler. Trim off any excess from around the ruler using a rotary cutter.
When the quilt block is bigger or smaller than the ruler, measure half of the pre-determined width of the quilt square from the center of the block toward each of the four edges. Then place the square ruler into the corner, aligning it with the markings on each side. Trim the corners up to the markings. Repeat with all four corners.
Tip
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Double-check that all your quilt blocks are the same size and press them before sewing the quilt together.
