Monday, May 25, 2009

Quilt Along Week 2 Cutting the Fabric for you Quilt

**Contest to win the Rowenta iron is over. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Week 2 means we have our fabric and supplies and are ready to start cutting the fabric. You gotta cut the fabric so that you have the pieces and parts you need ready to assemble quilt blocks.

You need an iron, cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler/straight edge and fabric.

And with that I'm out. See you again next week for another installment . . .

Just kidding.




First thing you need to do is iron all of your fabric. You are aiming for nice straight cuts and nothing ruins that faster than folds, lumps and bumps in your fabric. Use a hot iron and press it all.


Ok. So here is one of my fabrics. Remember we have 1/2 yard cuts of 12 different fabrics. I have one laying out on my table. The selvages are on the east and west sides.




Fold your fabric selvage to selvage. Line the selvages up together the best that you can.



Now fold it again. And line that fold up along with the selvages as best that you can too.



Now. Rotate your fabric so that now the selvage edge is in the north position. The frayed cut edges are now in the east west position.




You want an nice, smooth, straight edge to work with so using your cutting mat as a guide, position your fabric so that you can cut that edge and even all the layers of fabric up.




Voila!




Now you are going to cut 2 1/2 inch strips of fabric. All of it. Ready. Set. Go!









After you have cut a strip you can unfold it and see that it is 2 1/2 inches by the width of the fabric (generally 45 inches). Anyhow, do the whole bit of fabric there into 2 1/2 inch strips. For this particular 1/2 yard, I got 7 strips. But that might not always be the case.

Take a deep cleansing breath. ::Ahhhhhhh::

You can do this.




After all the strips have been cut from an individual fabric you will be left with your stack of strips and little bits of scrap. Just stack up the strips and move on to the next 1/2 yard of fabric.

Rinse and repeat.




Remember earlier I said that I got 7 strips from that particular fabric? And remember I said that that wouldn't necessarily always be the case? Well, look here. When I folded my fabric selvage to selvage, the cut edges were farther apart. As a result, I had to cut more of the actual fabric in order to get those to line up. So, I ended up only getting 6 strips of this one instead of 7.

No biggie.

I've read the the book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. And this is small stuff. So don't sweat it.






Continue this cutting process until you have cut all of your 12 1/2 yard cuts of fabric. Leave your binding fabric for later. We will do that during the binding portion of our quilt along.




Now you should have a pretty stack of 2 1/2 inch width strips.

How about a giveaway?

I bought a new iron a few weeks ago. I love it so much I thought you might like one too.



This Rowenta iron is made specially for crafters and my life hasn't been the same since I've had it.



If you'd like a shot at winning it leave me a comment here. You have until 7:00pm EDST US on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. And if you haven't joined the Flickr group yet, well . . . what is your deal? That is a great place to ask questions and find answers to all things related to this quilt along event.

Happy Memorial Day. And to my husband, Razor, it has been the best 13 years of my life. I look forward to many, many more.

-dana

299 comments:

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Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! I hope I win!

Kelsi said...

My craft room is almost up and running and your quilt along is the best motivation to get back to painting!!

Leslie said...

Maybe with an iron such as his, I might enjoy ironing. :)

Danielle said...

Sign me up! I'm in dire need of a craft worthy iron, mine never seem to live up to their promises of greatness... Thanks

Wendy said...

Please count me in for your giveaway. Love the iron, and I could really use a new one. And a Rowenta at that!

Jellybean Soup Company said...

A new iron would be wonderful! Mine likes to pee on my fabric... :(

Allison said...

I really need that iron. It would be happy in my house ironing fabric way too many hours out of the day.

tara said...

I held back on re-looking at the quilt you made with this pattern. A surprise is a good thing. And, boy, do I need a new iron.

Unknown said...

A girl can never have too many irons right? That is what I will tell myself if I win this beauty!

imagrandma2five said...

I sure could use a new iron. I dropped mine and it no longer holds water. Also got all my fabric just need to take a pic and post it to the flicker group. Now I'm off to start cutting!

zees5 said...

Yes! Yes! Yes! I would LOVE this iron.

Paige said...

Oh time to participate! Good project my stash I think!


And that iron is hot (harhar...)! I'm still using the el cheapo one that I had in my college dorm -_-

Ducky said...

I love the stack of strips you have! It's great! Can't wait to see how they sew up...

Beth said...

HMMM.....I've been looking for a new iron. Could this be the one??

Celeste said...

Love the iron! I'm not doing a quilt right now, but am following along and taking pointers for when I am ready to start a project. Thanks!

Dawn said...

Count me in!! I'm waiting for my fabric to come in the mail!

Anonymous said...

I'm in for the win - Awesome giveaway!

Infanta said...

I have always wonder what that suction thing is that you have in your second photo when I see it at the store. The packaging doesn't describe it very well, but now I know that I see how you use it. I am glad that you explained which way to cut the strips because I've cut it in the other directions.

Zsa517 said...

Oooh, I'm so glad the second week post is up! I kept on thinking about it at work all day today! I've heard the Rowentas are really fabulous. Thanks for the awesome giveaways.

Sarcastic Quilter said...

Sweet! I'll be cutting soon and I love my Rowenta iron, it's better than any other I've ever had!

OblivionSunrise said...

Need one more 1/2 yard to show up then I can start cutting!

Nice iron leagues ahead of the one I currently own. ;)

Liz B. said...

So very generous of you!
And 2.5" strips are something I'm very familiar with. Ready set go!

Trisha said...

I just used a Rowenta iron at my quilt retreat this past weekend and I fell in love. I'm feeling lucky...

Tracy said...

Love everyone's fabric choices so far. This is kinda exciting!

Kristen said...

rowenta rocks!! off to iron my fabric!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful instructions - clear, well illustrated, and entertaining. Keep up the good work! I'd love to win the iron. I have one good iron, but three ironing areas, and I'd love to win this one to replace one that shuts off. Grrr!

Regina said...

This is looking awesome! You mean we are supposed to actually iron fabric? who knew! LOL!

MargaretD said...

My grandmother would think it was funny (odd!) that the only thing I ever iron is fabric. I've always wanted a Rowenta. Random number generator, pick me! :)

SK said...

I can do this!! I love following along, step by step... and that iron looks like heaven to me!!
My purple and green quilt is on its way~~

Lois0607 said...

Hi - my favorite 20 year old iron just puffed it's last puff of steam and then shut down. It really didn't owe me anything and I will miss it. However, A new iron could make a recovery from the loss of my 20 year friend much easier. :-)

Heidi said...

My old sad iron needs to be retired. Thanks for the cutting instructions -- I'll get crackin'

Jilliene Designs said...

OK - I'm super-duper excited. I got my fabric in the mail today and I keep looking over at it thinking, "there is a stack of happy!" What I need to know is what is the phone receiver looking do-hicky holding down your straight edge. I think I must have one because slippage drives me to the brink of crazy and it happens often whether it be paper and the exacto, shelf liner and the box cutter or fabric and the wheely-thing-a-ma-gig. I also like the iron very much :)

Cindy @ Creating at Home said...

Thanks for the great step-by-step instructions!! I would love to be entered to win the iron.

Thanks!

Cindy
creativecards@shaw.ca

Day before Michelle said...

Congratulations on 13 years Razor and Dana!

Meghann said...

I am also new to your site and while I'm a week behind I plan on joining in on your quilt a long:) Thanks for an awesome give away. I would love a new iron as mine has seen better days that is for sure.

Terriaw said...

Hey, it's our wedding anniversary today too! Eight years for us. Congrats on your 13 years!

Is it too late to get in on this quilt along? I think I have assembled just the right combination. Just need to get my act together one of these days!

Anonymous said...

I love coming to your site. It is so inspiring to see all the pretty things you make.
Tanya

Meredith said...

I would totally put that iron to use! BTW - your fabric choices are beautiful!

CB Mauro said...

Oh I'm all about this iron! Pick Me!!! PLEASE!

Sarah Jackson said...

Oh man, Dana. You've sucked me in with all those strips of fabric. I love strips of fabric more than pretty much anything. So I'm in - a week late, but I'm in. Time to pick out some fabric, cut it, and pack it in the vacation bin for next week.

Anonymous said...

I would love to own a Rowenta iron! If you're including Canada in your giveaway, I'm in.

Des said...

rowenta is the bomb!! would love it!!

Grace said...

ready and excited

Sooz said...

So excited about this project! My cuts are done and I am so ready to piece it all together! (and does this iron really shoot out that much steam like the box photo??? WOW. Professional indeed!)

plainjanesews said...

Ohhh I am so excited to join this challenge. My first quilt-a-long. I cannot wait to make a quilt with beautiful Paula Prass fabric!

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Oh, my, if I am comment #248 and all those who commented before me are in the Flickr group, then there are going to be a lot of cool quilts to see!! I have my fabrics ready and will cut them this weekend. I'll be ready for Monday's next installment. Oh, and I would love to win the iron!

Autumn said...

I would love the iron gift. What a great giveaway. Thanks.

bonnie said...

what a great give away.

Mimi Hornberger said...

This will be my very first quilt ever. I am so excited to play along with you and all the others. I generally use really old irons that my MIL gets me from Goodwill for $3.99 so, this is, to say the least, a step up. Can't wait for the next step.

Becky said...

Great photos! Please add my name to your drawing. Have a great day!

ladmquilter said...

I've just started watching your blog. I plan to get my material this weekend and possibly use fat quarters. The iron looks great. I have a cordless iron but sometime it would be nice to have an iron you don't have to set in the stand to heat up every two minutes.

Leslie said...

Ohhh I would so love this iron. I need a new one!!

craftytammie said...

wow, what a fun quilt along and a great prize! thanks for the chance to win!

Lisa L. said...

Wow I loved watching that process- and what an awesome iron. Thanks for sharing your talents. Lisa L.

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

I'm new to your blog. Is it too late to join your quilt along? Please count me in for the giveaway, the iron looks great.

Miranda said...

Oh what a wonderful giveaway, and I will be cutting my fabric up later! So excited to do this quilt along!!

angela said...

Wow! What a wonderful giveaway! I'm excited about this quilt along...still waiting for my fabric to get here.

Karen said...

I look forward to following the quilt along and making my own someday. I would love to win the iron! Mine is about 25 years old I think.

Sarah said...

I just found out about this quilt-along. Groovy! I'll be joining in, for sure. I'd love to upgrade my current iron. Thanks for your generosity!

BitnByAQuiltingBug said...

Count me in! What a great quilt along and prize!

Jules said...

Yay! Yay! Yay!!! Are you for reals with this amazing instruction and crazy giveaways? I bought the fabric last year with grand hopes of making this quilt, then chickened out. BOo. But now, I have no excuse. Count me in!!! Just joined the Flickr group and am going to change my rotary cutter blade right now. If you saw my iron you would curl up in a corner and cry too!!!

Jules said...

Yay! Yay! Yay!!! Are you for reals with this amazing instruction and crazy giveaways? I bought the fabric last year with grand hopes of making this quilt, then chickened out. BOo. But now, I have no excuse. Count me in!!! Just joined the Flickr group and am going to change my rotary cutter blade right now. If you saw my iron you would curl up in a corner and cry too!!!

craftyMSP said...

I wasn't sure if I wanted to start another project, but I just can't help myself when I see a whole stack of cut fabric! Bliss. I'm going shopping!

girlsatplay said...

I'm lovin' the Paula Prass fabrics!

Amanda Jean said...

i'd love to win that iron!!! it looks dandy! i think i'm going to have to round up 12 half yards of fabric from my stash that look pretty together and start cutting! what's one more iron in the fire, right?

Anonymous said...

Oh wow I am a new Quilter I would love this.. Oh wow count me in please.. thanks..

Terri E
Ventura Ca

edeenut said...

new iron, of course I need another one.
Great cutting tutorial by the way.

Janet said...

I would love a chance to win the iron. Thank you for doing this!
Janet

Unknown said...

A great iron would be a welcome addition to my quilting corner. Mine is so old and takes forever to get all the wrinkles out! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Oh wow I can't wait to get started! That iron looks amazing!

diana albright said...

love the fabric. and the iron. :-)

Busy Little Quilter said...

I need a new iron. I would love to win this one!

Julie said...

Beautiful fabrics! I love your writing style. It is like "talking" with a friend!

Cindy said...

Oh My Goodness! I am a week or so behind, and on limited funds, but have wanted to learn to make a quilt for ages (since before my 2 year old was born actually). I will buy my fabrics and play catch up as soon as possible. So far it looks very do-able -- I am excited!! thanks so much for giving me a push towards starting on this project --- that is the real prize -- the give-aways are a bonus, but the inspiration and the completed quilt will be the real gift!

JenR said...

oooo... purty iron, so shiny and new...very unlike mine! :)

Sheri A. said...

Love that Iron. Rowenta makes the best products.

Kristi said...

Also new to your site...how much fun! My sister just had a beloved iron blow up and catch fire. If I win, it's hers for sure!

Lovely!

Lisa said...

Love the iron! I will join the flicker group next week... I promise :)

Chris {frecklemama} said...

I just found your site today and WOW! I love your color choices and can't wait to read more! I would love a chance to participate in your giveaway since I have been slobbering over the Rowentas I keep seeing. I have an old leaky iron that is begging to be outsted and replaced by a princess of Rowenta royalty ;-)

Tricia C. said...

I love your website! And I need an iron.

lylleke said...

fabric cut and ready to go :)

Patricia said...

congrats! happy, happy anniversary!!
We're getting ready for vacation. So I'll have to catch up when we get back.

Brenis said...

WOW 284 comments already? Where was i ??? snoozing apparently! Are you old enough to remember the mervyn's commercials? "open,open,open!" That was me yesterday waiting for your new post so i knew what to do with this awesome fabric!! LOLOL And I get here and there's already 284 people ahead of me! woah... musta fell asleep waiting ! haha!! Yay!!! I cant wait to get started on this - you are awesome Dana to give us all such great step by step instructions and such great give aways! THANK YOU!! Now i'm off to cut my fabric... sure wish you were posting this more than once a week!! LOLOL blessings, Bren

Chris {frecklemama} said...

Ok, I joined the Flickr group and just ordered my fabric. I am going to use Michael Miller's Funky Christmas because I've been lusting after it and looking for an excuse to buy it! This is the perfect project. I can't wait to get started.

Midnight Purls said...

Just found your site. The quilt along looks like fun!

Holly said...

What an amazing giveaway - my poor sad iron would like to retire so count me in :)

Kate/Massachusetts said...

Awesome giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win the iron! I have to go cut up my fabric now.

dfuller55 at verison dot net

Unknown said...

seriously? I am in just under the gun. Count me in.

Deb said...

I'm lovin' it..........Oh and the iron too!

Nicole said...

Wow, look at how many people you've inspired to start quilting! How awesome is that?! Oh Rowenta iron how I'd love to have thee. ; ) I currently am a sewer of bags, nursing covers, aprons, and baby flip flops. So I'm excited to try my hand at quilting. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! Btw, how do you do such big giveaways like this? Are you sponsored or what? Just wondering because I have a crafting blog as well and would love to do something like this with some of my products. Any advice would be well appreciated! Thanks again! Oh and Happy Anniversary! I think. ;)

Bobbi said...

I need a new iron! My current one is full of starch. (I suppose I could clean it, eh?)

Can't wait to start cutting. :)

Wendy said...

I saw the iron in the store today - wow! I love my old 10-pound Black And Decker, but it leaks something crazy. I don't think I've ever had an iron that didn't leak :)

piecesofpatti said...

I am going to try this and hope I can keep up!

Rose said...

Sounds like a great giveaway! I have an old black and decker iron and it sometimes leaks and the steamer is intermittent. This would be so great to win! I also love the idea of your quilt along. I think I'll sit this one out, but will follow along to see what the final product is! I ♥ quilting!!

Becky J. said...

oh, i love my old rowenta. a new one ....true love. :)

andrea said...

Good thing I didn't wait another half hour before catching up on the blogs, I'm cutting it close. (ha ha)I'd love it if I was randomly chosen. Being out of town has set me back.

Sarah Pead said...

So...I'm really tempted to join in on this sew-along...I don't even know if I really have the time, but I was looking through my stash the other day and I discovered that I did just buy a lovely bundle of 1/2 yard prints of Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks. It's definitely not the exact amount that this quilt calls for...but...I could just make a lap quilt...couldn't I? Whatcha think? Should I? Should I?

Can't Believe I'm Sewing said...

I just bought fabric today...this is my first real quilt so I'm excited to see how it turns out!!

ladmquilter said...

This looks to be a great project. The Iron looks wonderful. I think I will give it a try.

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