Heather Thomas

How to Square Up Fabric for Cutting

Heather Thomas
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Duration:   6:28   mins

Learning how to square up fabric before cutting any pieces for your next quilt is an important lesson. Heather Thomas teaches you how she squares up fabric after it has been pre-washed and gets it ready to be used.

Fabric

Heather first begins by explaining how she likes to pre-wash her fabric. If you plan to do this step it should be done after you bring the fabric home from the fabric store- before you do any other preparation with it. She then explains how she dries the fabric, which is different depending on if she plans to use it right away or not.

Once the fabric has been washed and dried she explains how to fold the fabric selvage to selvage, explaining where to find the selvage on a piece of fabric. She then shows how to manipulate the selvage if needed due to it shrinking when washing. Once the fabric is folded, she explains what the new ‘true’ straight edge is to base your cuts off of. This edge then gets lined up with a line on your cutting mat and the raw edges can be cut. Learning to square up your fabric like this not only ensures that any strips or pieces you cut will be straight but it helps ensure a square quilt in the end.

Heather also gives tips on what size of ruler she likes to use when squaring up fabric as well as tips on how to best hold the ruler so it doesn’t move when cutting. Once you have your fabric square you can cut all of your pieces and begin working on your next quilt. Even though you are piecing with precisely cut pieces of fabric, it is still also important to square up your quilt blocks with precision as well.

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29 Responses to “How to Square Up Fabric for Cutting”

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      Sarah
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  2. Susan

    Can you show us how to do this with a piece of fabric that isn’t nicely lined up?

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  4. Nancy Cutshall

    This was a nice video. Would it be possible sometime to show how to do a wonky fabric that got way off and you try to square that up sometime?

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  7. Jayne

    I’m also a prewasher. Thanks for letting folks know the benefits of preaching.. Consider adding a bit to the video about what to do when the cut edges do not line up and you get a pucker at the fold. It seems to happen more often than not and is a bit tricky to sort out. It would be helpful for folks who are trying this for the first time. I usually buy an 1/8 yd. extra to allow for this– you can lose a lot of fabric if it distorts in the wash!

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    • Customer Service

      Hello Jayne,

      Thank you for your feedback. I have forwarded your comment to the proper department. We value your opinion and it will help with the development of our online streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.

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  8. JEROME

    Can you explain why you use the ruler and not the mat to measure? I line up my long ruler edge from point to point on my mat. Thank you. Enjoy your videos.

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    • Customer Service

      Hello Jerome,

      Thank you for your patience while I asked the expert, here is her reply:

      Hi,

      This actually comes down to personal preference. While I personally use my ruler, it is fine to use your mat too. The main thing is to be consistent in your measuring and try to always measure things the same way.

      Cheers,

      Ashley
      National Quilter Circle

      Reply
  9. Charlotte Campbell

    A big “thank you” for this video. I too am a “washer” in fabric prep. And I square up my fabric before cutting. I have no quilt sisters who do either of the above. I feel reassured in my prep work.

    Reply
  10. Carol

    Would love to see an example where the top doesn’t line up perfectly or squaring up a block

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  12. Louise Ovens

    What is the best way to cut borders? I want no seams. I was going to cut along tge lengtg of fabric rather than the width. Should I fold the fabric or move the ruler to stay aligned?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Dear Louise,

      Thank you for your patience while we ask the experts, here is the response:

      Hi,

      I would recommend folding the fabric if you only have to fold it once to get the length you are wanting. If you have to fold it more, the extra layers are going to be very difficult to cut through, so I would recommend moving the ruler.

      Cheers,

      Ashley
      National Quilters Circle

      Reply
  15. June

    Thanks for the video. It cleared up a few questions. Just one thing. I always tell people to make sure the whole ruler is on the mat. I find having part of it off tends to make it tip up a bit because of the thickness of the mat. Beginners tend to tilt their rotary cutter which will then go under the ruler,only slightly.but it makes an inaccurate cut. Just my observations.
    I love your videos. Keep up the good work

    Reply
  16. Janie Fitzpatrick

    Just to say thanks for your video. I am a novice quilter and the basics are the things that I need the most assistance with. Thank you so much for your time and effort. A quality video.

    Reply
  17. Janet

    Thanks do much Heather. Have been a patchwork and quilter for 25 years and never knew this…but I am a prewash fan.

    Reply
  18. Janet

    Thanks do much Heather. Have been a patchwork and quilter for 25 years and never knew this…but I am a prewar fan.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Norma,

      Heather uses a product called Synthrapol. It can be purchased at fabric/craft stores or online.

      Cheers,
      Ashley NQC Video Membership

      Reply

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