How to Cut Squares

We are launching the Let’s Sew – ‘Scrappy Square Swap’ this week so I thought I would run through how to cut squares.  I will give instructions for cutting from a fat 1/4 , cutting from the width of the fabric, using scissors and using a rotary cutter.  I am also giving the instructions right handed – if you are a leftie, just reverse them (I’m sure you are used to doing that – I’m sorry but I am sooo right handed)

So I have washed my fabric (because that’s what I do), I’ve pressed it, folded it in half, selvedge to selvedge or selvedge to opposite cut edge if using a fat 1/4.  This is where you will often find the fabric won’t ‘sit’ right – while you are holding the selvedges together with both hands and the fabric hanging down

The first thing we need to do is straighten the cut edge – don’t assume that the person in the shop has done a good job!

(a)  Using scissors, a rule, a piece of paper and a pencil

So you don’t have a rotary cutter and a cutting mat – don’t worry!  You can use a rule and scissors – I made my first quilt this way!!

First you need a right angle:  Take a piece of paper – any old piece is fine – and fold it and crease.

Place the folds along the folded edge of your FQ and mark the upright.

You now have 2 lines marked.

You now have 3 lines.  Cut along all 3 with your scissors.

Repeat the whole process to get your eight squares.  Well done!

(b)  Using a rotary cutter, rule and cutting mat.

With your FQ folded in half and then in half again, place the fold along a line on your board.  Place your rule so that it is on the same vertical line at the top and bottom of the fabric.  Cut.

You can see how uneven the edge was:

Now flip that straight edge to the left hand side and line it up on the board lines – vertical and horizontal.

You now have 4 x 5″ squares.  Repeat the process to get your 8 squares.  Well done!

3.If Using width of Fabric:

Put the fold along the bottom line on your cutting mat. ( you can see the whoop in the cut edge on mine as it goes up the mat!)

Move the fabric until the rule can sit on, in my case, the 15 at the bottom and the top and then cut:

Flip the fabric again so that the straight edge is running up the left hand side of your cutting mat and the bottom of your strip is running along one of the lines: