Waggons West Etsy Shop

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

A Cutting Question



So here is a question for you....

When you are going to cut a smallish piece of fabric (for applique or a small project) out of piece of fabric from your stash where do you start?  I am talking about regular cuts of fabric, anywhere from 1/4 yard on up.  My issue is preserving the 'best' piece for future projects.


  • Do you cut all the way across one selvage end at your largest measurement?  This preserves a large section but reduces the length of any strips you cut in the future.
  • Do you work your way across one edge?  Keeping the longer strip sections intact but making the whole thing narrower.
  • Do you whack away and worry about the scraps later? 
I really want to know because figuring out the initial cuts is one of the biggest things that slows me down on any project.  

5 comments:

  1. For me it's easier to cut along the longest part, depending on the project I'm making it for.
    Otherwise I'll cut off the selvedge then work from the other side.
    I cut fabrics by project. If I'm makign a lot of the same thing I'll use the longer edge and for just a few I'll grab an FQ. =D

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  2. Usually cut off an chuck the width I need and whack from that piece...
    Toni
    www.lifeinapinkbunnysuit.com

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  3. Well...you know I don't do a lot with yardage...but I usually do exactly what you did here and start in a corner. If the fabric becomes fussy to fold up neatly...I tear strips off until it's a nice neat package and then use the scraps...sometimes years later.

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  4. I work my way along one edge, retaining the full width in case I want to use it for binding or to cut a jelly roll strip.

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  5. I try to go for # 1 on your list first.
    Fussy cutting like paper piecing does waste quite a bit of fabric.
    If you are using a fabric with a design like the faries I was cutting it will depend on the repeat of the fabric, in this case I was not fussing cutting but needing one design element and ended up cutting as in number 2 on your list.

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