Cutting Tips

Great advice from everyone, thanks! I use Omnigrid rulers, and sometimes
resort to my husband's very heavy t-square for cutting, it never shifts. I
almost ignore the grid on the cutting board, it doesn't seem that accurate
to me. I think from what all you have been saying, that the seams and
pressing are the culprit, need to adjust for that. When there are many
pieces in the block, the problem really multiplies. . . .

I'm going to experiment, and practice new tricks and techniques.
felwyn

"felwyn" wrote in message news:...
I will try that, thanks. It's a good way to see where the problem might
be. Actually adjusting the seam allowance to a scant 1/4 in. is probably
the easiest way to correct the problem, and it might not be the cutting at
all.

I think I will make a habit of doing this test each time I start a project
and set up my machine.
Thanks
felwyn
"Sandy" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"felwyn" wrote:

Does anyone have any rotary cutting tips? My finished blocks are
always a
little smaller than I planned, not much, maybe a 1/16th of an inch
smaller, but over the length of the quilt, it makes a difference. All
the
blocks are equal, so accuracy is not the problem, but I wonder if I
should
cut a tiny bit more generously to correct this.
My seam allowances measure 1/4 inch, so I think the problem is cutting.

I would love to hear any suggestions and advice.
felwyn




Felwyn, I'm another who suspects your seam allowance of being just a
trifle off, rather than your cutting technique. As Leslie said, you are
so consistent that it should be a simple matter to figure out how to
adjust. Here's how I was taught to check my seam allowance:

Cut three strips of fabric at 3" x 1.5".
Sew the three strips together along the 3" sides, pressing each seam, so
that you now have one pieced "block".
Now measure your block. It should measure exactly 3" square.

If it's a hair too small, you know that your 1/4" seam allowance is a
trifle too wide. That's where we get the "scant 1/4" seam allowance"
you'll hear about so often. We all have to adjust for the thickness of
the seam itself in order to create precise blocks.

HTH!
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
sw.foster1 (at) gmail (dot) com (remove/change the obvious)
http://www.sandymike.net