Quilting Basics: Fabric Preparation and Cutting

Get tips on fabric preparation for pre-cuts and yardage, and learn how to accurately cut those fabrics.
Read the blog post that goes along with this video here: www.aquiltinglife.com/2020/12...
NOTE: Some of the links provided here are affiliate links.
Lint Roller: shrsl.com/2non9
Small Ruler option for cutting pre-cuts: shrsl.com/2nons
Large Ruler option for cutting yardage: amzn.to/2If3Nd6
Tape for marking cutting lines on ruler: shrsl.com/2nonh
Large Stripology Ruler: shrsl.com/2nono
Medium Stripology Ruler: shrsl.com/2nonm
Small Stripology Ruler for Small Pre-cuts: shrsl.com/2nonj
Tips for Increasing Accuracy Post: www.aquiltinglife.com/2020/01...
Accurate Measuring & Cutting Post: www.aquiltinglife.com/2016/08...
Sherri's Amazon Storefront (with more favorite quilting products and books): www.amazon.com/shop/influence...
Sherri McConnell
Find my blog here: www.aquiltinglife.com/
More About Me: www.aquiltinglife.com/about/
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Music:
Lucidity By Kings • Video
Artist SoundCloud / onlyfeels
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[@joanntakehara5390]

I’m a starching convert. Not only helps accuracy but reduces fraying, especially when Jack the Ripper comes out.

[@MelissaFox-p8u]

This is a fantastic video - so many of my burning questions, especially the approach for cutting to get a straight edge. Your tips and explanations are great! Thank you for creating these first time quilters as well as information on using patterns.

[@CGee17]

Thanks Sherri - all of your tutorials are wonderfully presented and so helpful. One thing I struggle with is getting started with a larger piece of fabric. Something that's larger then your cutting mat like for backing. Any thoughts on how to fold and manage those would be appreciated. Thanks again for sharing your gift of teaching and knowledge of quilting with us 🙂

[@dyanncox3833]

One thing I learned after many years is to have the measuring/marking line on the ruler needs to be on the fabric and not off the edge of the fabric (butted on the outside edge of the fabric) . When I became aware of this my cutting sizes became accurate....

[@kathymorris7391]

I was always wondering that myself. Thank you

[@dyanncox3833]

@@kathymorris7391 Glad I could help.....I wish I had known where the placement of the line of the ruler went a long time ago!

[@addierobertson6015]

I love to starch it is part of process and love the colours hanging on the line outside. It looks like a grand party!

[@baseballquilter8984]

Yippee!! A video for beginners. Thank you Sherri. Keep them coming.

[@anmlvr05]

Thank You for this !! I have actually emailed you recently about this very subject as well as adding cutting diagrams to future patterns. Those of us with what I call math dyslexia really need all the help we can get. love your videos and podcast

[@angelastoutenger7944]

Great series Sherri. No matter how long someone has been quilting they can always pick up some tips or reminders. Look forward to your next video.

[@sharonpeters6124]

Thank you Sherri. Your timing is perfect. A friend of mine wants to learn quilting. I just forwarded this to her.

[@TheLhester1965]

I love scrolling through and seeing a video from you! You helped me today and you didn't know it. I was doing block 7, Kindred, for Sewcialites today. I'm behind, as usual. I worked on it from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and could not get it right, watched Kimberly's video over and over, would go so far as to recut 2x. I was talking to my husband and I said, "There was a block like this with the two little triangles and the big ones in Bloom-topia and I got it after two tries!" He then suggested that I go watch your tutorial and BOOM! I got it on the first try. I can normally do anything Kimberly does by watching, but your teacher experience was crucial today, so thank you! Also, thank you for an uncomplicated block on this quilt!!!😊

[@ninad5692]

Good tips, thanks! I've been trimming fabric edges with pinking shears and then washing warm (cool if I'm afraid colour will run) in a mesh laundry bag. It seems to fray less doing it that way and I don't really like the stiff feel of new fabric.

[@gillsteel412]

Sherri thanks so much for your tips and tricks...in fact all you videos.... they are so appreciated. I check daily to see if there are new posts. I have a question like you asked for ... not sure I will be able to explain myself though but here goes ....When you cut and clean up the edges of you fabric I have always aligned the ruler to the bottom of the fabric to make sure my 90 degree cut is straight. When you only have an 1/8 th” of the ruler on the fabric how do you know that the edge is straight or does it not matter. Again thank you for being so generous with your knowledge

[@jamiewillhite6355]

Just thought I would share. If I wash any fabric I run the cut edge through my serger. It is so worth the time and thread. I make alot of baby receiving blankets from flannel and this method is a hugh help.

[@cathylloyd9225]

Awesome tips Sherri! Thank you!

[@debrablue6115]

My LQS told me to serge the edges of the fabric before you wash it, so you not lose your fabric. It takes some time, but it has help a lot.

[@C12133]

Thank you Sherri!!! Great tips, I love learning about quilting!😃

[@sherrillyoung5890]

Great information, thanks so much Sherri 🙂

[@kaylac3367]

I really appreciate all the helpful tips. I'm a beginner quilter so I just soak the the information you give. Thanks again ❣

[@janetkealy3685]

My friends and I have been quilting for years sand Never wash the fabric first..

[@mariawells8026]

I learned something! Thank you.

[@rachelburgener819]

Very good info, thank you!!! ❤️😀

[@BELABIN]

I’m new to your channel, why have I not found you before?!?!?! Great video!

[@margm4]

I don’t wash but I do iron if there are creases..I’d been told that with pinked edges, to measure from the inner of the pinked edges. Seems to work for me so far. Thanks 🤩 I like to use Best Press. 🇦🇺

[@Colleenf3277]

I started starching and I love it it does help accuracy for me

[@kathymorris7391]

Oh really! What starch do you use?

[@Colleenf3277]

@@kathymorris7391 I use niagra faultless Lisa Bongean and Kimberly at fat quarter shop both have u tube videos

[@kathymorris7391]

@@Colleenf3277 thank you

[@Carolmaizy]

I have improved my accuracy when cutting and piecing by starching the way Kimberley does at Fat Quarter Shop. I use Niagara Faultless regular or light sizing. It is under 2 dollars at WalMart. It also does preshrink the fabric for you.

[@carolmorgano7158]

Thanks ❤️

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Note that when you wash fabric, you can run it through your shortest cycle. That will help keep your fabric from being banged about so much. I starch with heavy spray starch...and simply iron it out. I don't plan to air dry ever... Stripology rocks. Gudrun is a genius. I always cut my binding strips with the XL which is what I have. It's expensive, but a great value as it is well made, and you will have better accuracy and spend less time cutting.

[@fabricandflowers83]

I cut off the edges on layer cakes and charm packs. I also noticed that some aren’t the full 10x10 or 5x5

[@sandras134]

What treatment does cotton batting need? It has wrinkles too. Dryer?

[@paulaweston5242]

In a future video can you address avoiding "bowing" when cutting strips. I often have this problem.

[@rachelburgener819]

On that note, what is “bowing” ?!?!!! ❤️😀

[@paulaweston5242]

@@rachelburgener819 When you fold your fabric, cut into a strip., then unfold, your strip is not completely straight. It looks kind of like a stretched out boomerang. The center, near the fold, drifts to one side. I can accommodate if I am cutting say 2 1/2" squares, but the strip is unusable if you are cutting for borders. I think it is a folding issue.

[@rachelburgener819]

@Paula, ok thank you that is term I’ve not heard of. So far I’ve done one quilt and want to do soooo many more!!!😀 So I’m learning all kinds of things ❤️😀

[@joanntakehara5390]

Do you worry about the warp and weft being square to each other? I’ve had some distorted fabric that then had major fraying problems. Stretching the fabric on the bias sometimes helps but sometimes it just springs back.

[@Sylvia907]

I worry about shrinking after sew if all fat eighth used am not washed?

[@izziey17]

I learned that when cutting, you should cover the part you want to keep. That way, if you cut crookedly, you aren't cutting into the the fabric you want.

[@sandrasciotto1646]

A question, do you have a tip on how to keep white on white fabric the right side up? Sometime I notice that when my quilt it all done some of the white on white fabric is upside down. I’ve been avoiding white one white and using something else.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Hah! Here's my tip....the white will be more glossy on the top and the back will be dull. You really have to have good light. Sometimes it is really hard to see. I'm working with some now. I bought 10 yards on sale and Hancock's. I recommend that you evaluate your process. Meaning....if you cut with wrong sides together, after you get your cuts, stack your pieces all the same way (face up or face down). That way, you will reliably know that if you grab something, it is consistently face up or face down as you have chosen.

[@8machines62]

It takes time to starch, hang to dry, then iron all of them.