Quilting How To's EBook

Quilting How To's Ebook 1

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The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

A Free Lesson from Judy Martin Short Strips: Better, Faster Rotary Cutting Š copyright Judy Martin 1996. All rights reserved.

We all know that the lengthwise grain of the fabric is more stable than the crosswise grain. If you have any doubts, hold a piece of fabric with your hands 6" apart on the crosswise grain: bring your hands together, then quickly pull the fabric outward with a snap. Now, repeat on the lengthwise grain. Even with the selvedge removed, the lengthwise grain is significantly firmer. Furthermore, on any fabric, the printed pattern aligns perfectly with the lengthwise grain, but often does not follow the crosswise thread. So why are we taught to rotary cut crosswise strips? Let's think about this for a minute. Just because you learned rotary cutting with crosswise strips doesn't mean that you can't do better.

Got it figured out yet? Congratulations! Lengthwise strips! The solution is so obvious, I don't know why we haven't been doing it all along. What could be easier than cutting 18" lengthwise strips from half yards and fat quarters? When I introduced this concept in Yes You Can!, I called these Short Strips. When I cut 9" strips from quarter yards, I called them Mini Strips. Now my scissors are the loneliest tools in my sewing room.

With Short Strips you don't have to choose between following the print or the thread: you can have it both ways!

You don't have to choose between stable grain and quick cutting: you can have it both ways! And you don't have to choose between scrap variety and quick cutting: you can have it both ways!

Even though many shapes for rotary cutting end up with sides on both the lengthwise grain and the crosswise grain, you will do better to start with a lengthwise cut. It's always best to start with your best foot forward. And for some shapes, such as diamonds, two sides are on the straight grain and two on the bias. Short Strips yield a lengthwise edge and a bias edge, whereas crosswise strips yield a less stable crosswise edge and a bias one.

Often, when you cut crosswise strips, you cut through two to four layers of folded fabric to yield one 44" strip per cut. With four layers of fabric for Short Strips, you will get 72" to 88" total strip length from a single cut. Hey, that's a lot faster!

I like scrap quilts, and I don't want to use a 44" strip of any one fabric, let alone 72" or 88" worth of strips.

Instead, I layer four different fat quarters or half yards, aligning lengthwise grains, to cut four different 18" strips in one stroke. I still get 72" of strip length from one stroke. Sometimes, when I want the maximum scrap variety, I use quarter yards for Mini Strips just 9" long. Layering four fabrics offers the further advantage of easier alignment and more precise cutting because there is no fold.

Short Strips cut on the lengthwise grain can be made using the same strip and patch dimensions used for crosswise strips. You simply make the first cut parallel to the selvedge. If you are following a pattern that calls for 44" strips, the yardage should be approximately the same for Short Strips. You will need 2-1/2 times as many 18" strips to yield the same number of patches. However, by cutting Short Strips through four layers, you can cut them in about 2/3 the time you would have taken for ordinary strips.

If you are accustomed to cutting fabric with the lengthwise grain running from right to left on the table, you don't have to change that. Simply place the selvedge or the cut lengthwise edge parallel to the front edge of the mat.

Layer the fabrics, trim off the selvedges together, and measure from the trimmed edge. Short Strips are short enough to cut from right to left or left to right. Directions are the same for right or left handed. People like me who are easily confused about right and left and who can't remember which end to trim will find this method infallible.

Short Strips can be used for strip piecing, where they offer the advantage of being short enough to be easy to hold in the proper alignment as you feed them into the sewing machine. They can also be used to cut individual patches in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Give Short Strips a try. Let the perfect grain instantly improve your patchwork.

Speed Piecing Basics

Speed piecing is a technique in which larger pieces of fabric are first sewn together then cut to the size required for quilt block. By using this technique, and rotary cutting, the quilter can piece blocks more quickly and with greater accuracy.

Speed Piecing Squares and Rectangles The easiest speed piecing involves involves piecing blocks or block sections composed of squares or rectangles.

The general procedure is to calculate the finished width of a square and add 1/2" for seam allowances. Strips of fabric of this width are cut and are sewn together using a 1/4" seam allowance and the seam is pressed to one side. The edge of this pieced strip is squared, then the strip is cut into pieces that are the same width as the original strips. These pieces are now rearranged as indicated by the block pattern and are sewn together using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Four Square Speed Piecing Example This example demonstrates the piecing of a 4", finished size, four square block section.

1.Calculate the width of the strips to cut. 2" finished square size + 1/2" seam allowance = 2 1/2" cut strip. Cut one strip of this width from each of the fabrics.

2. Sew these two strips together using a 1/4" seam allowance and press the seam allowance to one side. The strips should be 4 1/2" wide.

3. Square the end of the sewn strip being sure to remove the selvedge from the fabrics. Now, cut the strip into pieces 2 1/2" by 4 1/2".

4. Take two of the cut pieces and turn one of the pieces over so the different fabrics are opposite each other. Sew the pieces together using a 1/4" seam allowance and press the seam to one side. The finished block should measure 4 1/2".

To create blocks or block sections containing rectangles, calculate the finished length of the rectangle plus 1/2" for seam allowances and cut the pieced strip into pieces of the measurement. More than one strip can be joined initially to create other block patterns such as Nine Patch. The quilter should analyze the block pattern being pieced to see if the technique is appropriate and, if so, how to implement it.

Speed Piecing Right Triangles Right triangles, also alled half triangles, are composed of a square cut in half on the diagonal. Many quilt block patterns call for two right triangles to be joined together to form a square.

Steps for Right Triangle Piecing 1.First calculate the finished size of the pieced square. To the measurement, add 7/8" for seam allowances. For example, 4" finished sized + 7/8" = 4 7/8" width of strip to cut.

2.Cut one fabric strip this width from each fabrics.

3.Square one end of each fabric strip being sure to remove the fabric selvedge. Now, on the back of the lighter fabric strip, draw a line the same distance as the width of the strip from the squared strip end. In the example this would be 4 7/8". This should create a perfect square.

Continue drawing lines the distance apart down the the fabric strip until the required number of squares

has been drawn. Note: Each square will result in TWO pieced squares so if the pattern calls for four right triangles in each color to be pieced together, the quilter must draw two squares on the fabric strip.

4. Next, draw a line dividing each square in half on the diagonal. Draw the dividing line so that they are in opposite directions on each square.

Instead of drawing on your fabric, you can also use

Easy Piecing Triangle Templates

5. Carefully place the lighter colored strip on top of the darker colored strip with the right sides of the fabic together and the edges in alignment. Sew 1/4" away from each of the diagonal lines.

6. Cut the strip apart on each of the marked lines. In the example, this will result in four squares composed of two right triangles measuring 4 1/2". Press the seam allowance to one side.

Speed Piecing Quarter Triangles Another common piece used in quilt block construction is the quarter triangle. A quarter triangle is formed by a square cut in half twice on the diagonal. Many blocks use quarter triangles joined together to form right triangles in their construction. The steps to speed piece quarter triangles is very similar to those of speed piecing right triangles with the following exceptions: •The initial strips must be cut the finished square size plus 1 1/4" for seam allowances instead of 7/8".

For a square composed of quarter triangles to have a finished size of 4", the initial strips must be cut 4" finished size + 1 1/4" seam allowances = 5 1/4" wide.

Instead of drawing on your fabric, you can also use

Easy Piecing Triangle Templates(see below)

• After cutting the sewn strips apart on the marked lines, each unit must be cut in half again from the corner, to the middle of the longest side. • Each marked square will result in four pieced quarter triangle units.

Easy Piecing Triangle Templates How to use Easy Piecing Triangle Templates Triangle Templates are easy to use.

First, download and print out the correct size templates. We recommend that the quilter use a thin paper to print or copy the templates on to make removal easier.

Next, take the two fabrics that are being used to make the triangle squares and place them right sides together.

Then place the Triangle Templates on top of the fabrics and pin the template in place being careful to avoid any of the printed lines.

Finally, sew on the dotted lines and cut apart the triangles on the solid lines. Remove the template paper and press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric. The triangles are now complete!!

Hint: For a quick and accurate way to attach the Triangle Templates to the fabric, print the templates out on freezer paper, then iron on to the wrong size of one of the triangle fabrics with a dry iron. If carefully cut and trimmed, freezer paper will go through many printers, but be sure to consult the printer manual and do a test printout first!!!

Half Square Triangles

Finished 2 inch

Finished 3 inch

Finished 4 inch Quarter Square Triangles

Finished 2 inch

Finished 3 inch

Finished 4 inch Determining Yardage

How Many Blocks Are Needed?

Twin Size Quilt

Total Blocks

Total Size without Borders

(Blocks Wide x Blocks Long)

(Width x Length)

12"

54 (6 X 9)

72" x 108"

15"

35 (5 X 7)

75" X 105"

Block Size

16"

35 (5 X 7)

80" x 112"

18"

24 (4 X 6)

72" X 108"

Total Blocks

Total Size without Borders

(Blocks Wide x Blocks Long)

(Width x Length)

12"

72 (8 X 9)

96" X 108"

15"

42 (6 X 7)

90" X 105"

16"

42 (6 X 7)

96" X 112"

18"

30 (5 X 6)

90" x 108"

Total Blocks

Total Size without Borders

(Blocks Wide x Blocks Long)

(Width x Length)

12"

72 (8 X 9)

96" X 108"

15"

42 (6 X 7)

90" X 105"

16"

42 (6 X 7)

96" X 112"

18"

30 (5 X 6)

90" X 108"

Full Size Quilt

Block Size

Queen Size Quilt

Block Size

King Size Quilt

Total Blocks

Total Size without Borders

(Blocks Wide x Blocks Long)

(Width x Length)

12"

90 (9 X 10)

108" X 120"

15"

56 (7 X 8)

105" X 120"

16"

49 (7 X 7)

112" X 112"

18"

36 (6 X 6)

108" X 108"

Block Size

Strips that can be Cut from 44" Wide Fabric The following chart shows the approximate number of strips that can be cut from 44" wide fabric. Please allow extra yardage for errors.

Strip Width

1 yard fabric

1/2 yard fabric

1-1/2"

23

11

2"

17

8

2-1/2"

13

7

3"

11

5

3-1/2"

10

5

4"

8

4

4-1/2"

7

3

5"

7

3

5-1/2"

6

3

6"

5

2

7"

5

2

8"

4

2

Squares that Can be Cut from 44" Long Strips The following chart shows the approximate number of squares that can be cut from strips of 44" wide fabric.

Please allow extra yardage for errors.

Strip Width

Number of squares that can be cut

1-1/2"

28

2"

21

2-1/2"

16

3"

14

3-1/2"

12

4"

10

4-1/2"

9

5"

8

5-1/2"

7

6"

7

7"

6

8"

5

Standard Measurements - in inches

Standard Mattress

Bedspread

Comforter/ Quilt

Dust Ruffle

Crib

27" x 52"

36" x 60"

Day Bed

39" x 75"

69" x 90"

Twin

39" x 75"

81" x 110"

69" x 90"

57" x 89"

Full

54" x 75"

96" x 110"

84" x 90"

90" x 110"

Queen

60" x 80"

102" x 115"

90" x 95"

102" x 115"

Dual/King

76" x 80"

120" x 115"

106" x 98"

120" x 115"

California King

72" x 84"

120" x 115"

106" x 98"

100" x 98"

Bedspread sizes include standard drop of 21" Dust Ruffle sizes include at standard drop of 14"

Bed Pillow Sizes Standard

20" x 26"

Queen

20" x 30"

King

20" x 36"

Tablecloths 52" x 52" 52" x 70" 60" x 84" 60" x 102" 60" x 120" 60" x 144" 70" Round 90" Round Napkins

Taken from World Wide Quilting Page.

Dinner

16" Square

Luncheon

14" Square

Cocktail

12" Square

Page All patterns, templates, and charts were taken from the WW Quilting