How to Cut Fabric in a Small Space with a Small Mat! Cut Accurately with these Easy Tips!

You don't have to sacrifice accuracy to quilt in a small space! This video as all my tips and process to help you cut large pieces of fabric in a small space with a small cutting mat. I show how I cut a piece of yardage into strips for binding but you could use this same method to cut other width of fabric pieces that can be subcut into squares, rectangles, or whatever your cutting schematic calls for.
🎧 I'm always listening to an audiobook while I sew! Its a great way to engage your ears while your eyes and hands are busy with fabric!
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[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

I've gotten this question a few times and I hope this helps you all! You don't need a big space to dedicate to quilting :) This video was originally part of the fabric faq video but it was just too long to fit in, so I thought a dedicated bonus video would be better. I'll be back next Tuesday with a full quilt tutorial, so be sure to subscribe if you haven't!

[@okiegirl97]

Thank you for showing small space tips! Some channels I watch have gigantic cutting & pressing mats and then they lay out all their blocks on like, the biggest table I’ve ever seen. Lol I will never have the luxury of amble room in my sewing space, so I love learning all the tips I can on making things work! Yay!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

Lol-I hear you. I’m lucky to have a lot of space now but it hasn’t always been that way!

[@Michelle-om2jd]

We use pins for everything else, how have I never thought to use them in cutting? Game changer!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

I’m so glad I could help! I started doing this a while ago when I was cutting long pieces of fabric and it made it so much easier!

[@gretroman8235]

Very nice video about cutting fabric that applies to all fabric cutting accuracy. Loved the paper cutting demonstration for the wavy strips due to fold and cut inaccuracies.

[@ScrunchiexMore]

your demonstration with the paper strip was very helpful👍

[@elainedsa7571]

Thank you for your video. I don't quilt but needed to know how to cut larger pieces of fabric on a cutting mat for baby blankets. I searched a lot of youtube videos with no success. Finally I found your video and you helped to answer my question in a very detailed and clear manner. Thank you!

[@indianajulie]

I work right to left too!! So happy to see that someone else prefers that too 😉🤗

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

It’s definitely not super common but I end up miscutting a lot of fabric if I work the other way :) I’m all about whatever gives people the best results!

[@nora22000]

Absolutely excellent film, editing, and knowledge transfer! Many thanks!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

Thank you!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@lizozturk5615]

Thank you so much for posting this info. I have been delaying making a cover for a keyboard for so long because I could never cut long strips without them being wavy. I followed your excellent instructions to the letter and voila I have the straight long strips I need. What a relief and happy result! I have subscribed!

[@Kera.S.]

Hi, I've been subscribed to your channel for a while now and I just wanted to say thank you for all the time, effort and work you put into making these videos! You are making a huge difference in people's lives. I see it in the comments I read and I know it from the content you provide. You are truly putting all of yourself in what you do and what you make. It shows! You're a pleasure to watch, learn from, grow our skills and even laugh because staying till the end is so worth your blooper 'reel-life' you! ❤️ So, Thank you, well, for Everything!!!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

Thank you so much! What a lovely comment :) I really do enjoy making all these videos and im so happy to help other people have fun quilting :)

[@amytitus833]

I just wanted to say I have been sewing for at least 30 years and thought I knew how to cut but I just learned something new!! Thank you very much!!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

Thank you!! I’m so glad I could help :)

[@maryannecadd796]

You make me laugh (in a good way!) every time I watch your videos. I really enjoy your sense of humor and common sense information. Thanks!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

Thank you so much!! That’s the best compliment :)

[@susanthomas5445]

Very helpful. Great quality video.

[@kandaykerr3653]

Cutting is very challenging! thank you for showing this method, it will definitely help.

[@bajoobiecuzican]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@judithburke1539]

Thank you very much for this video. You have a way of explaining how some of the problems we experience when we cut fabric happen and how to fix it. I hope you have a wonderful week!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

Thank you!! You have a wonderful week as well :)

[@lainpadang8033]

Practical. Thanks! ⅔⁹²¹

[@dorothyyoung8231]

Diagonal stripes make the BEST bindings! Just tossing that into the mix!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

its true!!! stripes always work!!

[@chrislittebrant5235]

Very helpful Megan, I sometimes struggle with cutting. Have a good week, 💖👍💜 Chris-Raleigh NC

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

You have a great week too!! 😀

[@pamfaulknermoorhead8453]

Love this tutorial just like all the others but ot a kick out of the outake at the end😄

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

😂 I love leaving those in. I worried I wouldn’t always have one but that has literally never been the case!!

[@vickyjames5974]

Thankyou so much

[@cjane51]

Thanks Megan. Very helpful. Your hair looks great!!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

Aww! Thanks!

[@denisestilling2810]

Measuring the distance from fold to fold helps ensure ensure you have properly folded the fabric properly.

[@fritzsparky]

Thank you for these instructions. I have problems on fabric being straight if I prewash it. Do you have any suggestions for cutting prewashed fabric?

[@BrodgarRing]

Thank you.

[@bethkoch11]

Thanks Megan, this was a good video. Cutting is not my favorite part of quilting. My cutting space is not that big so it gives me headaches sometimes. This helps!

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

It’s not my favorite part either! I like when it’s done and I have all the little satisfying stacks of fabric though :)

[@christeljanz5232]

Thank you for the tutorial! What do you do if the selvedges are not even and straight? Even Quilt store quality fabric occasionally have selvedges that are wavy and wonky.

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

They should be straight and parallel, so if the fabric is wonky enough, I’ll open it up and retold it so the selvedges meet nicely and re-press the fold line from the bolt.

[@bonitabrowne8110]

Hi Megan! I saw another of your videos which I love love love! Would you please tell me what machine you use to longarm your quilts please? And why you chose it?

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

I have a simply sixteen from Handi quilter. :) i do like it generally but it’s on the smaller side of longarms, so it does have some limitations. It runs really well and I don’t have any of the tension/stitch issues a lot of people complain about with their machines. If I were going to buy it again, I’d probably opt for the 18 or 20” at least.

[@createthememories5381]

Great demo on how to cut straight, as a newbie I struggle with this. BTW, what rotary cutter is that? It looks awesome 😎

[@elizabethannwest646]

Is it better to stand up and cut. Your opinion please😊

[@kathyaschenbach8081]

I only have room for a 18by 24 mat. I prefer a 24 by 36 but no room for that

[@amyhumphries7594]

If you pressed the fabric first, how did you keep the crease from the factory?

[@TinyOrchardQuilts]

I press it as it comes off the bolt, so it is still folded in half. :)