How to Cut Fabric Strips for Quilting

Ah, the humble fabric strip. The building block of countless quilting masterpieces, these long, slender pieces of fabric seem simple enough. But for new and seasoned quilters alike, achieving perfectly straight and consistent strips can feel like a frustrating hurdle. Fear not, fellow fabric fanatics!

This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to confidently conquer cutting those crucial strips.

How to Cut Fabric Strips for Quilting

Fabric strips are the building blocks of countless quilting masterpieces. But achieving perfectly straight and consistent strips can feel like a challenge. Fear not! This guide will walk you through the steps of cutting fabric strips for quilting, equipping you with the knowledge to conquer this task.

Gathering Your Supplies for Cutting Fabric Strips for Quilting

• Sharp rotary cutter: Invest in a good-quality rotary cutter (typically 45mm or 60mm) for clean cuts.
• Self-healing cutting mat: This protects your work surface and provides a grid for precise measurements.
• Acrylic ruler: Choose a clear ruler at least 24 inches long, with easy-to-read markings.
• Square: A quilting square ensures straight lines when squaring up your fabric.
• Fabric shears (optional): Handy for trimming and finishing touches.
• Pins (optional): Can help hold fabric layers together for precise cutting.

Preparing the Fabric:

1. Pre-wash your fabric: Washing prevents shrinkage and color bleeding later. Follow care instructions.
2. Ironing (optional): Ironing smooths wrinkles for easier cutting. Skip this step for wrinkle-prone or heat-sensitive fabrics.

The Fabric Cutting Process:

There are two main methods for cutting fabric strips: the strip method and the rotary cutting method. Let’s explore both:

The Strip Method (for beginners):

1. Measure and Mark: Lay your fabric flat on the cutting mat. Using a ruler and square, measure and mark your desired strip width along the selvedge (finished edge). Repeat at consistent intervals across the fabric. You can use a fabric marking pen or a disappearing marker.
2. Cutting the Strips: Using fabric shears, carefully cut along the marked lines, aiming for straight, clean cuts.

The Rotary Cutting Method (more efficient):

1. Folding the Fabric: Lay your fabric flat on the cutting mat, then fold it in half lengthwise, with selvedges meeting. Ensure the fold is crisp and the edges align perfectly.
2. Positioning the Ruler: Place your ruler along the fold, aligning the desired strip width with the cut edge of the fabric.
3. Cutting with the Rotary Cutter: Hold the rotary cutter firmly in your dominant hand, wrist straight, elbow anchored on the cutting mat. Glide the cutter along the ruler, starting from the farthest end and moving towards yourself, applying firm, even pressure throughout the cut.

Tips for Cutting Success:

• Sharp blade: A dull blade tears fabric and creates uneven strips. Replace your blade regularly.
• Clean cutting mat: A cluttered mat can cause the ruler to slip and lead to inaccurate cuts.
• Good posture: Stand with good posture and relaxed shoulders to avoid back strain.
• Quilting ruler: The markings are easier to read compared to a regular ruler.
• Cut multiple layers: If your fabric is thin, pin or clip several layers together and cut them simultaneously for efficiency (use caution with thicker fabrics to avoid dulling the blade).
• Recutting: Don’t be afraid to recut if you make a mistake; precision matters!

Moving Forward:

Once you’ve mastered the basics, explore advanced techniques like sub-cutting strips (cutting wider strips into narrower ones), diagonal strips for a unique look, or curved strips for appliqué work.

Organization is Key:

• Label your strips: Mark the width and quantity on each strip for easy reference later in your quilting process.
• Sort by size: Keep strips of the same size together to avoid confusion and streamline piecing.

By following these steps and practicing good technique, you’ll be cutting fabric strips for quilting with confidence in no time! Remember, mastering the art of cutting opens doors to countless creative quilting adventures.

How to Cut Long Strips of Fabric for Quilting

There are two main methods for cutting long strips of fabric for quilting, each with its own advantages:

Method 1: The Rotary Cutting Method (Efficient)

This method is ideal for cutting multiple strips of the same width quickly and efficiently. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Sharp rotary cutter (45mm or 60mm)
• Self-healing cutting mat (large enough to accommodate your fabric)
• Acrylic ruler (at least 24 inches long, with clear markings)
• Square (optional)

Steps:

1. Prepare your fabric: Pre-wash and iron your fabric if needed (refer to care instructions).
2. Fold the fabric: Lay your fabric flat on the cutting mat. Fold it in half lengthwise, with the selvedges (finished edges) meeting. Ensure the fold is crisp and the edges align perfectly.
3. Position the ruler: Place your ruler along the fold, aligning the desired strip width with the cut edge of the fabric.
4. Cutting with the rotary cutter: Hold the rotary cutter in your dominant hand with a firm grip. Keep your wrist straight and your elbow anchored on the cutting mat. Glide the rotary cutter along the ruler, starting from the farthest end and moving towards yourself, applying firm, even pressure throughout the cut.

• Tip: Use a quilting ruler for easier reading of markings from both sides.

Method 2: The Strip Method (Great for Beginners)

This method offers more control over individual strip measurements and is ideal for cutting a smaller number of strips or strips with odd widths. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fabric shears
• Ruler (at least as long as the desired strip width)
• Square
• Fabric marking pen (optional)

Steps:

1. Prepare your fabric: Pre-wash and iron your fabric if needed (refer to care instructions).
2. Measure and mark: Lay your fabric flat on the cutting mat. Using a ruler and square, measure and mark the desired strip width along the selvedge (finished edge) of the fabric. Repeat at consistent intervals across the width of the fabric. You can use a fabric marking pen or a disappearing marking tool.
3. Cutting the strips: Using fabric shears, carefully cut along the marked lines, aiming for straight, clean cuts.

Tips for Cutting Long Strips:

• Sharp blade: A dull blade tears fabric and creates uneven strips. Replace your blade regularly for optimal performance.
• Clean cutting mat: A cluttered mat can cause the ruler to slip and lead to inaccurate cuts.
• Maintain good posture: Stand with good posture and keep your shoulders relaxed to avoid back strain.
• Cutting multiple layers: If your fabric is thin and allows, you can pin or clip several layers together and cut them simultaneously using the rotary cutting method (be cautious with thicker fabrics to avoid dulling the blade). This saves time when you need many strips.
• Don’t be afraid to recut: If you make a mistake, it’s better to recut a strip accurately than try to salvage an imperfect one. Remember, precision matters!

Additional Considerations:

• Length of strips: Ensure your cutting mat and ruler are long enough to accommodate the entire length of the strips you need.
• Fabric width: Consider the width of your fabric in relation to the desired strip width. You may need to adjust your cutting strategy if the fabric isn’t wide enough for multiple strips.

By following these steps and practicing good technique, you’ll be a pro at cutting long strips of fabric for your quilting projects in no time!

How to Make a Quilt With Strips of Fabric

Here’s a breakdown on how to make a quilt with strips of fabric, also known as strip piecing:

Materials:

• Fabric strips (cut using the methods from previous guides!) – Choose a variety of colors and patterns for a vibrant quilt, or stick to a cohesive color palette for a more classic look.
• Fabric for backing (enough to cover your quilt top)
• Batting (insulating layer between the quilt top and backing) – Choose the thickness based on your desired warmth.
• Sewing machine with a walking foot (optional, but recommended for even feeding of fabric strips)
• Thread in colors that complement your fabrics
• Rotary cutter, ruler, cutting mat (optional, if you haven’t cut your strips yet)
• Fabric shears
• Sewing pins or clips
• Iron and ironing board

Steps about Making a Quilt with Fabric Strips:

1. Plan your design: Sketch or lay out your strips to visualize the overall look of your quilt. Consider factors like strip width, color placement, and any specific patterns you want to create. There are many resources online and in quilting books for strip piecing inspiration.
2. Sew strips into units (optional): This step is not mandatory but allows for more complex patterns. You can sew strips together in various ways, like squares, rectangles, triangles, or even log cabin style.
3. Assemble the quilt top: Sew your pieced units (or individual strips) together in rows. Here are some popular strip piecing techniques:
   • Simple straight rows: This is a beginner-friendly option where you sew strips together in alternating colors or patterns to create rows.
   • Offset rows: Shift the starting point of each row by half a strip width for a more dynamic look.
   • Pinwheel blocks: Create pinwheel patterns by sewing strips together in a specific configuration.
4. Join the rows: Sew the completed rows together to form your quilt top. Ensure your seams match up carefully for a professional finish. Press your seams open after each step for a flat surface.
5. Prepare the backing and batting: Layer the batting on a large flat surface, then lay your quilt top over the batting, followed by the backing fabric. Ensure all layers lie flat and square. You can use safety pins or basting spray to temporarily hold the layers together.
6. Quilting (optional): This step involves stitching through all three layers (top, batting, backing) to create a finished quilt. You can quilt simple straight lines, geometric patterns, or more elaborate designs. You can hand-quilt or machine-quilt depending on your preference and skill level.
7. Binding: Create a finished edge for your quilt by binding it with fabric strips. There are various binding techniques, but the basic idea involves sewing a long strip of fabric around the raw edges of your quilt, folding it over for a neat finish.

Tips:

• Wash and pre-shrink your fabrics: This prevents shrinkage and color bleeding after you’ve finished your quilt.
• Use a walking foot: This helps ensure the fabric strips feed evenly through the sewing machine, preventing puckering or uneven seams.
• Press your seams: Pressing seams open after each step helps create a flat and professional-looking quilt top.
• Start small: For your first strip piecing project, consider making a small throw quilt or wall hanging to practice your techniques and gain confidence.

With careful planning, some practice cutting strips, and these assembly steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and unique quilt using the art of strip piecing!

Conclusion

In conclusion, conquering the art of cutting fabric strips unlocks a world of creative possibilities for your quilting endeavors. This guide has equipped you with the knowledge and techniques to tackle both the strip method and the rotary cutting method, empowering you to achieve perfectly straight and consistent strips for your projects. Remember, precision is key, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find the technique that works best for you.

Beyond the basics, we explored advanced cutting techniques and organizational tips to streamline your workflow. Now, armed with these valuable skills, you can confidently embark on creating stunning quilts using strips of fabric. So, grab your favorite fabrics, sharpen your rotary cutter, and get ready to unleash your inner quilting artist! Happy cutting, and happy quilting!