Alicia's Attic

Quilting Tips: Click the image below to view the tutorial video.

To rotary cut the same amount quickly and simply, I use a stop on the underside of my ruler. Many times when I ask people if they have used this, they say they have some but it is green or yellow. If it isn't orange then they don't have this!

Notice how the fabric is pulled away before removing the pressure from the ruler. Saves on missed cuts or if there is a nick in the blade. Also, note that the ruler is what is being used for the measurement. When the mat is used, the ruler becomes a straight edge only and then 3 items need to be aligned. Also, the mat tends to get grooves when the cuts are made over and over. By only using the ruler for measurement, only 2 items are aligned, the fabric is measured by the ruler, while pressure is applied, and the cuts on the mat are random and therefore do not create those grooves.

Enjoy your quilting,

Marci

Marci's Tip: I use the lines on my ruler to measure my pieces that I am cutting rather than the lines on my mat. With the ruler I am only aligning two items, the fabric and the ruler. If I used the mat lines I would be aligning three items and it takes longer. Another reason I don't use the mat lines, is that after I align the fabric to the mat, when I place the ruler over the fabric, it is flattened and can shift so that it is no longer aligned. With only the ruler, I know that it is aligned from the beginning.

Since I don't need the mat lines, I usually use the back side of my mat. I reduce the "noise" that I have to see, so I can focus on what matters. I don't have lines that subconsciously I want my fabric to align to, either.

If you choose to use the back of your mat, be sure it is one that the back is similar to the front. I had a beginning student who took my advice and I noticed a few minutes later that she was really struggling with her pieces...because her mat was shiny and slick on the back side. Know your tools and know why / how to use them. If you have questions about your tools or problems that you would like answered, send me an e-mail and I'll see if I can answer it here.

Enjoy your quilting,

Marci