How to Cut Fabric Squares for Quilting
Quilts made of squares can be very simple looking or can look very modern and sleek, depending on the fabric you choose. All quilts made with square patches are good for beginning quilters as putting squares together is the easiest type of quilt block to make. The only problem that may arise is if the fabric squares aren't even in size. That is why cutting accurately is so important; in fact, it is the most important step in making your quilt.
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Things You'll Need
- 100-percent cotton fabric
- Cutting board
- Rotary cutter
- Rotary cutter ruler
Instructions
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1
Wash, dry and iron your fabric if you prefer to work with unstarched fabric in your quilts. If you prefer the crisper feel of unwashed fabric, go on to the next step.
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2
Fold the fabric in half so that the selvages, the woven edges of the fabric piece, are touching. Lay the fabric on the cutting board with the selvages at the top and the cut end of the piece laying to the right.
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3
Slide the fabric towards the right until the cut edge is slightly past the 1-inch mark. Line the top selvage edges up with one of the lines on the board, but don't worry if this makes the cut edge on the right crooked.
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4
Lay the ruler on the fabric directly on the 1-inch mark. Hold the ruler down firmly with your left hand (if you are right-handed) and cut along the ruler with your right hand. This will remove a small strip of fabric from the cut end and will even up the edge of your fabric.
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5
Move the ruler to the left the number of inches that your quilt square requires. If you are cutting 2-inch squares, move the ruler 2 inches to the left. Use the rotary cutter to cut directly along the ruler. This will create a strip 2 inches wide.
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6
Remove the large piece of fabric and move the strip around so that the selvage edges are slightly to the right of the 1-inch line. Use the rotary cutter and ruler to cut along the 1-inch line, cutting off the selvages.
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7
Move the ruler to the left 2 inches, or whatever amount your square required, and use the rotary cutter to cut along the ruler. You will now have two squares to the right of the ruler.
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8
Continue cutting squares from this strip and more strips and squares until you have enough to create your quilt top.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are making a large amount of squares, a good way to keep them neat is to run a thread through the center of all the squares, making a stack strung along the thread.
When holding the ruler, make sure that all fingers are on the ruler and none stick off the edge. Rotary cutters are basically giant razor blades, and can cause injury if not used properly.
