Quilting Basics ~ Preparing & Cutting
Jacquie from Tallgrass Prairie Studios has a brilliant series of Quilting Basics tips scheduled to post throughout Quilting Month II! Jacquie is a Sew,Mama,Sew! Board Member, a member of the Modern Quilt Guild and an all-around extraordinary quilter. Today Jacquie kicks off our month-long celebration of all things quilting with part one of her Quilting Basics series. Today’s focus: Preparing and cutting your fabric. Enjoy!
Seeing some of the beautiful quilts that are posted on Sew,Mama,Sew! and across quilting blogs can make quilting seem intimidating. Quilting is easier and more fun if you know some of the tips and tricks that experienced quilters use everyday. I’d like to share a few things that work for me. Please remember that these are not must-haves, or must-dos. Once you give it a try you’ll find what works best for you.
Preparing Your Fabric
Preparation can be one of the keys to successful quilting. You have that shiny new fabric and want to make a quilt. So what’s next? There are two camps in the quilting community, pre-washers and those ‘I don’t prewash’ folks. There are advantages to both. Pre-washing removes chemicals from fabric and allows for shrinkage to happen before your quilt is made. Some fabrics shrink at different rates and your quilt can sometimes change size dramatically if you haven’t pre-washed. Special care needs to be taken with vintage fabrics. I always pre-wash or at least test vintage fabrics for bleeding. It’s heartbreaking to have a quilt ruined by bleeding colors. If you wash your fabric try not to use detergent. Detergents tend to strip color from cotton fabric. Dreft or baby shampoos are good choices for pre-washing.
On the other hand, some quilters prefer working with and cutting fabric that has the sizing in it which gives it a bit more body for handling and cutting. Some quilters also love the crinkly look created after washing and drying a quilt with fabric that has never been washed. I aspire to be a pre-wash girl, but I do enough laundry at my house, so I admit I usually don’t. I do use Shout Color Catchers as a precaution against the possibility of bleeding, especially with dark fabrics. Color Catchers can be found in larger grocery stores and so far they have worked for me.
Whether you pre-wash or not, it is important to iron your fabric before you start cutting. Wrinkly fabric leads to crooked and inaccurate cuts and that’s never good.
Cutting
Rotary cutting can be fast, easy, and accurate. You’ll need a rotary cutter, a 24” see through ruler and a self-healing cutting mat. The 24” x 36” mat size is perfect for quilting. Make sure you keep a sharp blade in your cutter. Dull blades make for jagged cuts and can be unsafe if you have to press too hard to make your cuts. I use an Olfa ergonomic rotary cutter. Get in the habit of closing the blade of your cutter when it’s not in use. Safety first. Don’t learn from experience like I did.
Fabric right off a bolt probably has uneven edges or may be folded off center. The first step in rotary cutting is to square up the fabric edge. With freshly ironed fabric, lay your fabric on your self-healing cutting mat. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Line up the two selvages and adjust the edges until the fold hangs evenly or lays flat without wrinkles. This will make sure the grain of the fabric is straight and you will get nice straight width of fabric cuts.
You may want to fold your fabric again lengthwise bringing the folded edge down to line up with the selvage edge. This will give you a shorter cutting length (you’ll have 4 layers) and you won’t need to reposition your hand when you cut.
I’m right handed. If you’re left handed, adjust accordingly.
To start cutting, make sure the folded edge lines up with a horizontal line on your cutting mat. Then place your ruler along a vertical line on the mat for a straight cut. If you are right handed the bulk of the fabric will be on your right. The opposite applies if you are left-handed. The first cut you make will be to trim off the raw edge and square up the fabric. Cut off just enough fabric to make a straight edge.
Now you’re ready to cut your strips. I’m cutting 2” strips so I line up the edge of the fabric with the 2” mark on my ruler. Make sure the 2” mark lines up all the way down the edge of the fabric, not just at one place. Check that measurement. Measure twice, cut once!
Place your left hand on the ruler, spreading your fingers for stability. Always cut away from yourself. Be safe. Rotary cutters are sharp. Cut along the right edge of the ruler and keep the blade flush against the ruler. Never cut beyond your hand position. Stop cutting, reposition your hand up the ruler and continue cutting.
I always open up my first strip and check that it is straight and even. If not I adjust the fabric and square it up again. It’s better to check at the beginning than cut a bunch of crooked strips.
After your strips are cut you can line them up on the horizontal lines of your mat and use your ruler to sub cut them into the shapes and sizes that you need for your quilt.
Happy and Safe Cutting!
Next time:
The quarter inch seam, piecing and pressing.
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309 Responses to “Quilting Basics ~ Preparing & Cutting”
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ah…ironing is where i fail…
Great tutorial with pics…
Hmmm. Didn’t know that about not using detergent. Glad I found that out!
No one ever stressed the importance of preparing fabric the right way when I started quilting, so I fell into a lot of bad habits. This has really inspired me though. It’s never too late to start doing it the right way, right?
Jacquie, I love everything that you do
…thank you for bringing us back to the basics, it’s so good to refresh and review.
I simply cannot do the double fold. no matter how careful I am, I end up with a crooked strip. bummer!
Thanks for all the great information and illustrative pictures!
Dear teacher,
thank you for the lesson.
I am a ‘good pupil” and I already knew eveything, but it is good to have it here, if a friend of mine wants to begin!
Thanks for the tip!
Yay, I’m so excited for Quilt Month. Thanks Jacquie for your series…can’t wait to see what is up next.
I do think it is all about the right tools and knowing how to use them correctly. Thanks for this.
We’re off to a great start, the very basics. For some reason the squaring of the fabric is one of the hardest parts for me.
It’s great to see this special month on ‘Sew Mama Sew’ get underway. I’ve never tried pre-wash before cutting so must give it a go sometime soon. I have to admit though that as I don’t have a lot of space for long cuts I do tend to nick the seam and then rip the fabric, ensuring a relative straight edge and non of the banana bowing I get with a multi fold / rotary cut seam – I also do the same for non bias strips for bindings.
I’ve always wanted to make a quilt, but I haven’t attempted it yet. Thanks for the tips for those of us that haven’t tackled quilting yet!
Thanks for the tips. I’m a new quilter and can use all the help I can get, especially since there are no quilters that I know of in my area!
Also, thanks for the opportunity to win one of these great prizes!
Thanks for the cutting tips, they’ll certainly come in handy!
Great tips! I may need to pick up some of that color catcher!
Great tutorial about cutting and fabric preparation! Thanks Sharonj.
Thanks for the great tips. I’ve always liked the idea of making a quilt but just the thought of where to start leaves me confused so I have yet to make that step. Definitely bookmarked this post under the ‘craft’ file for when I do finally give it a shot!
thanks for the great info. I never iron my fabric before i cut, I will do that now
Great tutorial!!
I plan to pre-wash and hope all goes well!!
Yay! I’m so excited for quilting month!
I a quilting virgin, I am reallt looking forward to this
What a wonderful post for beginners. I have some friends whom I plan to point toward this.
Thank you so much for having this! I am just getting into quilting and love that you have the basics here for us!! The only thing I have made was a smaller rag quilt for my 3 year old daughter. Been wanting to do something else but not sure where to begin. Thanks again for you great site!!!
Love seeing someone else as paranoid about rotary cutter safety as I am! Great tips!
Great article!
I’ll be busy this month with quilts, quilts, quilts! Thanks for all the great info!
Thanks! I am so looking forward to this month.
Very informative. I hope to be able to remember the tips for my next project.
I’m so glad I read this…I’ve been sewing for quite a while now and fussing about uneven fabrics and never once thought of squaring them off like this… duh! I feel slightly silly now…
Very informative! I love tips like these!
Great tips. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store for quilt month!
good reminders. I need to get some Color-catchers. what a brilliant idea!
This is such a helpful post, especially as I have just bought a cutting mat and rotary cutter. Now all I need is to actually start cutting!
I can’t live without color catchers, jacquie!
Looking forward to this month…the perfect impetus for me to clean up my sewing room!
I love quilting and I’m so excited for a month of tips. I have a bunch of quilt squares that someone hand appliqued for my grandmother in the thirties and she wants me tomake them into a quilt and then hand quilt them. It’s a bit of a daunting task.
This is quite helpful – especially the bit about not cutting past your stabilizing hand. Thanks!
Very well done. I like reading Jacquie’s blog too. She’s an amazing artist.
Great tips – I look forward to more from this series and the entire Quilting month.
The dots not being straight would drive me NUTS! What do you do about that?
I really don’t know how to thank you for this, I was on the lookout for some tutorials on quilting and you start THIS!
Thank you so much for all the help and support you provide through this site for all of us who love some sewing/crafting!
I’m new to this quilting malarky and am becoming way obsessed. Not sure I’d have taken it up if I’d realised how much ironing it involved
This is so exciting. I’m hoping to get my quilt mo-jo back.
Thanks for a great start to the month.
Oh I’m so excited as this is exactly the lessons that I need!!Thank you so much.
I have been a fan of Jacquie’s for quite some time; she even responds to my email questions, which I find remarkable. She is such an inspiration — we all can learn a lot from her.
I have heard people talk about things they throw in with their laundry to catch the colors, but I never really knew what was being talked about. Now I have an actual image of what I need to go buy.
- Thanks
Hi, thanks for this month of quilting poss.
Tally
i havent even started to make a quilt yet but i really want to. this helps me is starting to think about what i need to do!
I am so ready to for this month! I have always wanted to learn how to quilt. Lesson one was wonderful and useful! Thank you
love that polka dot – thanks for the tips!
Great tips, Jacquie! I used to pre-wash everything….then I started building a stash, and having even less time to sew all the wonderful things I wanted to create…I gave up on about two years ago. I may go back, though….
Thank you for these great tips, Jacquie!
This is a great tutorial. Also love your fabric choices and would
like to know where to find the flower fabric on top in the first picture. (mfg.and collection)
I follow your blog and enjoy it so much. So glad you’re part of Quilting Month.
I never thought to wash my fabrics before.. Good tip!
i thank you for the great explanation of cutting — the scariest part for me! Scared no more! But i have a question: do you sharpen the blades or are there replacements?
Are you cutting through the fold when you first trim? How long is your final strip, is it the width of the fabric?
Thanks for the tutorial.
I am excited about this month’s topic. I love quilting but consider myself a novice.
Great post for quilting beginners! And pre-washing with baby shampoo… I never thought of that, thanks for the great tip!
Great post for beginners! Thanks for the tips and hints!
Thank you so much for starting this topic! I’ve recently learned how to sew and am hoping to start quilting. I have a huge pile of cut squares that was given to me! Can’t wait to start putting them together!
Thanks again!
Maria
I love the wrinkle pucker look, although I tend to prewash in fear of color bleeding. Thanks for the tips.
This is great info — I’m looking forward to the rest of this series!
Thanks Jacquie! Can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks for the tips. Can’t emphasize enough closing the rotary cutter each time you lay it down!
Can’t agree more with the pre-washing advice (but sometimes I just cannot wait to start on a project and then washing is out of the question “)
These are all very helpful tips! Thank you for sharing!
Those shout products are great, but not fully reliable. Ask my husband who now wears light pink underwear and socks.
Thank you so much for posting this series! I’m getting ready to do my first quilt and although it’s a little overwhelming, I’m very excited, too!!
The tips are very helpful! Especially for a ‘newbie’ me. Thanks!
Thank you for your clear, concise explanation on straightening the fabric! That’s a step that seems to get left out of a lot of quilting instructions and it’s the one that always confuses me. I must buy really crooked fabric!
I have never pre-washed material…. however, I am working on a red and cream quilt right now and I think I may regret it. But I couldn’t bring myself to prewash. I just love that puffy look after you wash the quilt the first time.
Thanks for these “basics” tutorials – I’ve done some quilting, often skipping important steps, like squaring the fabric, so I can get to the good stuff. I’m looking forward to the rest of your lessons.
Thanks!!
Helen in Malden, MA
I’ve just started sewing and crafting and just recently found you website. What a wealth of wonderful information.
That combo of fabrics in the first photo is absolutely charming!!
I never knew that you shouldn’t use detergent for pre-washing. Thanks!
This post couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve just started the cutting process for my first quilting attempt…look forward to all the quilting posts!
Just one quick comment on the pros of prewashing. I have a friend who developed serious skin allergies after working in a fabric store. Most fabrics are treated with some nasty stuff, giving that nice sheen and crisp feel. Better to prewash to protect our families etc. However if you are making something that will never be washed, you could decide to risk it.
thanks for the great tips !
This is a great tutorial!
I always feel a little lost when trying to square up fabric for my first cut. Your way is wonderful.
Thanks.
I love the wrinkly look, yet I always prewash. I don’t know why or when I started but I have a fear of not prewashing. Thanks for the tips if I forget.
I see that you didn’t cut the straight edge based on getting the circles or design. I am never sure what to do about that. Also, I tend to be a prewasher when I don’t have fat quarters or jelly rolls or other precuts to be used.
Color catcher, huh? Never heard of it before. Thanks for the tip!
Jane
Great topic this month! I liked reading these tips- can’t wait for more quilting direction.
I guess I had never thought about the product I used to pre-wash my fabric…I am going to have to start thinking about this.
This is great! I’ve been thinking of making quilts for my daughter’s rooms, but wanted to get started on the right path so that I would be happy with the finished result. This looks like all the things I need to know. Now just to decide on what exactly I want the finished product to look like.
Brilliant! I’ve always wanted to make quilts so been looking forward to quilting month
Some great info Jacquie – thank you!
I am definately a pre-wash girl! I love the ritual of bringing home new fabrics, washing them immmediately, ironing them and placing them neatly on my shelf as they await a great new project idea!
This is so helpful for beginners, like me!! Thanks!!
Thanks for the tips! I’m right-handed, but for some reason I keep the fabric to my left and cut off strips on the right instead of the opposite.
Looks like fun!
Thanks for the tips. Every time I cut that way, people look at me funny. Many quilters I’ve met use the other way, and measure with the mat rather than the ruler. I prefer the ruler as I think it’s more accurate, so I’m glad that you’re teaching it that way!
Anyone with cats can note that closing the rotary cutter is essential…Mine just love to send it flying across the room when I’m not paying enough attention to them
Great tutorial.
Sarah
My hesitancy at even starting quilting isn’t the sewing, but the cutting of the fabrics. Thank you so much for this. I’m so excited about this whole month of quilting helps.
Great tips! Thanks!
Thanks so much for having a quilting month! My hubby is so excited that I might sew him a quilt one day. What a great post to start quilting month.
I really want to learn to quilt – thank you SO MUCH for helping me get started!
Such great tips. I wish I had had your tips when I first started quilting. Can’t wait for part 2.
I am going to pick up some of the Shout Color Catcher for my current quilt. The information was good and I look forward to more.
I’ve always been confused about the whole pre-wash or not debate. This helped answer my questions. Thanks!
Thanks for the great info! I can attest to the wonder that are Shout Color Catchers. I throw one the the wash with every quilt I wash and I’m always amazed to see what color they are when the load is done! They’ve really saved me a lot of heartache.
Great start to the month! Thanks so much for doing this!
great reminders for safety and accuracy!
Have a new rotary cutter and was having a few troubles…thanks for clearing up the process. Note to self: get a clear 24″ ruler!
I’m so excited about quilting month!
Genevieve
I’m looking forward to tomorrows post!
The color catchers are a great idea!
I already love quilting month! This post and the ad for Modern Meadow fabrics make me want to play hooky so very badly.
Never heard of color catchers…thanks for the info.
Fantastic! I’ve been wanting to start quilting, but have been hesitant to take the plunge without knowing a darn thing. This series is perfect.
Thanks for the tips. I’ll have to try that color catcher!
Oh yay for the basics! Thanks!
Thanks for all the detailed tips. I’m a newbie so I’m soaking it all in! Thanks so much!
There was a lot of great information in that post. I love to quilt but I consider myself still a beginner.
im glad you are starting with the beginning!! alot of us just jump in and never think about these things…
Thank you so much for inspiring me to once again take time to quilt! Look forward to the next installment!
Thanks so much for the great tips! I love your website. Looking forward to learning more from you this month.
This is just what I needed to get started! I’ve never quilted and I’m looking forward to following along and starting my first project. Thanks so much!
Great info Jacquie – these are perfect tips!
I have been looking forward to April! Yipee!
Another case of the disappearing comment – Jacquie, thank you for the guidance – I’ve never tried washing fabric before cutting and have heard that some quilters even prefer to starch their fabric prior to cutting – I’ll have to try out some of these techniques to see what’s best for me. With long seams though I tend to snip and rip to get a long straight edge as I find a multi fold cut gives me a ‘banana’ edged fabric strip.
Great tips here Jacquie. A good refresher even for those of us who quilt regularly.
Great tutorial! Looking forward to all the topics and quilts during April Quilt Month! Thanks!
Hey, I love the color catchers tip, thanks!
I’ve been wanting to try my hand at quilting!
Maybe this will help me get rid of that pesky v that sometimes shows up when I’m cutting strips!
Thanks for the tips!
I am one of those “don’t pre-wash” people….never seem to get enough steam from my iron to make it crisp again once it makes it through the drier…
thank you, I am so pumped about quilting month! Can’t wait to learn, learn, learn…this is a great beginning.
I’m about to start my first (small) quilting project and am so excited about this series. Very helpful – thanks!
Thanks for the tips!
These are great tips. I can’t wait to start on my quilt!
Going to get some color catchers! Great tip.
Thanks for the tips! As a fairly new quilter struggling to get my pieces consistent, I am looking forward to more posts on tricks and techniques. Thanks!
Such a helpful series, even if you’re not a quilter. Thank you!
I’m so excited about this month of quilting posts! It started out with a great tutorial. I’m a beginning quilter, so going over the basics again has reassured me that I’m on track – thanks!
Good tips! I always struggle with whether or not I should pre-wash or not! Thanks for the insight.
If I am making a quilt with red or purple fabric, I prewash no matter what. Lesson learned the hard way….:)
Great tips. I’m new to quilting and really excited to get started.
I always pre-wash my fabrics, but never thought of washing them in anything but my regular detergent. Thanks fot the tips!
Good basic info! Thanks.
Thanks for doing the basics. I’m just starting out, so breaking down the simple stuff really helps me.
Thank you for these. I am committing this month to make a start at quilting.
Thanks for this. I am such a lazy and frustrated cutter! These are some great tips to make it a little easier for me.
I’ve been pretending to be a quilter for about 3 months now– meaning that I have all this fabric and materials, but have been too intimidated to even start. This post will help take that leap! Thanks!
Thanks for the helpful post. I’m a brand new quilter, so the more simple the directions the better!
I actually never have straightened my fabric first by lining up the selvedges. What a great and easy idea!!
Thank you for the great tips… I’m new to this and need all the pointers I can get!
I would love some tips on cutting LONG strips of fabric. I have had a finished quilt top upstairs for about a year, just waiting for some backing. But, for the backing I have to cut 14″ by 93″ strips. I’m so intimidated, I just keep putting it off. Do I just fold and fold to try to cut thru as many layers as possible at once?
Thanks for the tip about detergent and color. I’m glad to see that my first ‘teacher’ started me on the right path with pre-treating and cutting. Thanks for sharing
Such a simple thing, but worth the explanation for us beginning quilters. Thanks!
sometimes you just need a reminder on the basics because i know i get a bit lazy, thanks for the post
I knew most of this already (and yes, I fall into the “don’t prewash” group), but I really loved the tips for evening up fabric off the bolt. Thanks for that!
This is a great post – so clear and love the pictures along with the instructions! Thanks!
Thanks for the great tips! I am really looking forward to this month!
I love my rotary cutter!
I read the “if you’re left handed adjust accordingly” and wanted to add something useful to that. If you’re a lefty, purchase a left-handed rotary cutter. It will make ALL the difference both in accuracy and your safety. You can’t properly see where you’re cutting if you are using a right-handed cutter in your left hand.
I’m a pre-washer. I’m scared of how the project may shrink if I was after sewing!
Thank you for the post. It’s nice to see that I’m on the right track, and to read the reasons why someone wouldn’t prewash their fabric!
very interesting point about detergent and cotton….I’m going to have to watch that. Also, I was glad to hear a review of the Shout Color Catchers.
Ironing….that’s a step I missed. Thanks for the reminder.
I so want to make a quilt, a big quilt. I know I should start small and learn the technique, but I’m sometimes impatient for the final product. I’m sure I’m going to learn some great tips here this month.
this is helpful! i didn’t know about the color catchers.
I’ve always wanted to learn how to quilt…with such a fabulous tutorial-it’s my time!
jana
I did not realize that detergent was not necessary for pre-washing. Looking forward to reading future quilting tips.
Brilliant series!We will be watching and learning…. Thank you!
I don’t usually pre-wash. I like the wrinkly look!
You can never Iron enough. Great information.
I have been quilting for quite a while, but I love seeing the basics done up in such a nice manner! I am sure I will be sending my friends here all month!! Thanks
Thanks for this great tutorial!
As always, wonderful instructions! Thanks, Jacquie!
Hi!
This is Uekiya and I was wondering if anyone has had any trouble posting a comment here. I posted a comment about noonish, (it showed above the block where you actually type, stating it would be checked before publishing). I am sure that I did not say anything inappropriate, as it was all complimentary.
I am very new at posting comments so perhaps I am doing something wrong. Sure would appreciate any tips or comments as to why my post “disappeared”.
Thanks!
Uekiya
PS…Your article was great, by the way. I have wanted to quilt for a long time but was not sure exactly how to begin. Now that you have given me the preparation steps and the correct way to cut, I will have no excuse not to actually make my first quilt. Thanks again for all the time you must put into this site!
I wish we had those colour catcher sheets in Australia…
Color catchers are indeed fantastic!!! My quilting teacher had told me that she keeps the used ones and uses them to make cards and things.
Great post! 
using baby shampoo for pre washing will make it easier to control my anxiety
thanks
Great tutorial…..First thing I learned today: Don’t forget the ironing!
Kind regards
Claudia
I didn’t realize you shouldn’t use detergent either. Thanks for the review of folding and cutting.
Thank you for this. I just started quilting and can use all of the tips I can get. I have previously been cutting with the bulk of the fabric on my left (I’m right handed), and think I’ll try orienting it this way next time.
Yeah, not so much with me and the pre-washing. I’m impatient, I don’t like to clean up the mess of fray and wrinkles.
I wish I had this tutorial years ago. So well done. I’ll pass it along to new-quilter friends. Thanks.
Great job, Jacquie! I see few instructions for beginning quilters that show or tell how to make sure you are cutting on the straight of grain — leading to needless frustration and crooked strips. Nice tutorial.
Excellent tips! I’m off to sew!
all I know is that I need a rotary cutter!! then maybe I can try a real quilt
Super helpful!
We are so lucky to learn all of Jacquie’s tips!! Thank you.
Those beautiful fabrics are so springy! Would love to see how they pair together in a quilt.
As a self-taught quilter I really appreciate the how-to’s…I always learn things I didn’t know!
I am constantly on the look out for quilting tips and time saving ideas…thanks for the quilting focus this month and I hope I win a prize!!!!
I’m going to try my rotary cutter again. I have trouble with straight lines.
I learned a lot from your post. I am new to quilting. Thank you.
I appreciate you walking us through each step. I tend to rush through the initial cutting/squaring up the fabric, and pay for it later!!
great tips, thank you! I have always had trouble with the infamous “v”‘s after cutting my strips, and I’ll be sure to be better about lining up my selvages better! Thank you!
Love basic advice like this–so helpful!
I’m a beginner quilter and I always prewash my fabric. The last thing I want to do isgive a quilt as a gift and find out that the colors have bled when they washed the quilt! How embarrassing.
This is a great tutorial. I’m planning on starting my first quilt ever tomorrow and is definitely going to help with the cutting!
I love seeing the basics spelled out like this for me–thanks!!!
So true, measure twice, cut once. Too many times I have done the opposite. Thanks for the tips!
I’m also a new-ish quilter. I am intrigued by the way you square up your fabric… would you (or anyone else) be willing to make a video of this?
I took a beginning quilting class, and this looks MUCH easier than the way I was taught (which involves picking it up and hanging it and adjusting with your fingers – where, at some point, the fabric falls out of my fingers and I have to start over again for the 132nd time). I’ll try just about anything else!
great reminders!
I’m still on the fence of pre-wash vs not. I do a little of both right now until I’m confident that I don’t need to. I hate washing fabrics and getting all those pesky fraying threads.
i’ve always been intimidated by the “perfect” square so I’ve always made crazy quilts.
this tutorial makes it seem so much easier!
Ahhh to prewash or not to prewash that is always the question and I am always afraid to prewash dark colors! Thank you SOOO much for this tutorial!
I’m so happy you’re doing this series. I’ve dabbled in patchwork and quilting but have no real skills built up. So I’m looking forward to learning some basics.
great tutorial! V. helpful for me (a beginning quilter)
Thanks for the great tips. Always good to start with the basics!
They say that God is in the details; I think also that success is in the details! So grateful to gain access to such a gifted quilter’s tips!!
I’ve been doing all that, learned through trial and error. Nice to know I’m on the right track!
This is really helpful! I’m looking forward to the rest of the series – you never know, it could result in a proper quilt in no time!
Thanks so much for these fantastic tips!
this is great… can’t wait for the next one
Last week I was pre-washing fabric for my first lap quilt and couldn’t decide whether or not I should use detergent. Now I know (for the next time)!
Add me to the group who never heard about not using detergent. I didn’t think dreft was actually mild???
I love reading your website. It’s such a great resource! Thanks,
My rotary cutter doesn’t even HAVE a safety cover… eep, it must be older than I think.
Thanks for solving the mystery of how you get that nice quilt-y effect– I never would have known it was from not pre-washing, as I always have!
Great tips…look forward to this month of quilting!
I alway wash first, but I had never heard of not using detergent. Thanks for the tip! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I am a beginning quilter, so I really enjoy hearing different folks talk about the process!
It is so important for everyone to learn the basics, regardless of the style of quilting. Good job.
I will make my comment, though, that I prefer to get my fabric to hang right before the first cut by holding it in my hands, not laying it down. Any wonkiness is more obvious this way, and sometimes selvage to selvage is way off when it comes to lying flat.
This is great. Thanks!
Thanks for this great tutorial!! I’m new at sewing, would love to make something beautiful but am still testing my skills on scraps as I’m afraid that I’ll ruin the fabric. I have been looking everywhere here for beautiful fabric but haven’t found any nice printed ones. Maybe today I’ll take the leap and start something.
This month is going to be fabulous! I have been a reader of sew mama sew since about 4 months. And I come beck here EVERY DAY for my dose of inspiration.
Quilting is something remote in my country (India) and I dont even get batting here. But I do try hard to use what is available in the local market to the best of its ability. (I use flannel for batting!)
Your blogs have been very inspirational. Thanks for introducing me to the world of quilting which I am enjoying very much!
I’m so glad you started with the very basics! Quilting will be a new addition to my craft repertoire, and I want to start right!
Nice, clear instructions, Jacquie! I just wanted to add that a grip handle on the ruler is a great safety enhancer, and it also makes cutting accurately a lot easier… I love my Gypsy Grip Handle.
; )
Hot dog! These tips are just what I need. I’m a beginner and don’t know anyone that quilts around me! I’ll be looking forward to the next segment.
Thanks for hosting a quilting month, these tips are great!
thanks!
i was realy looking for something like this to explain the basics
thanks!
Thanks for the great start – I’m just about to begin my very first quilt for my little boy. Serendipity, I’d say!
On detergents – I use Ecover which is an eco-friendly laundry powder that is very kind to fabrics and it’s colours(any eco-friendly powder will probably operate that same way).
Yeah! Tutorials for the beginners – totally needed by me as I have just started trying to make quilts. Thank you.
Ahhh, cutting. I both love you and hate you!
Looking forward to quilting month. Thanks for the tips. I have learned so much from all the amazing quilters in blogland who have shared their knowledge with others!
I must admit that I aspire to be a pre-washer, but again, too much of normal washing to do. BUT, if I am using lots of red, I will generally pre-wash that fabric because reds are notorious for running. Your article reminds me that I have to get a bigger cutting mat!
I really appreciate this. When I think about starting a quilting project, I always feel like there is some secret trick to cutting the fabric that I was missing. Thanks for this!
I was waiting for these quiting basic tuts to learn more. Thx. Looking forward to the next ones
I definitely needed a rotary cutter before I try a quilt.
Jacquie and SewMamaSew, Thank you for this tutorial. I’ve never used color catchers, and will add this to my shopping list.
Good suggestions–especially ironing. I am a short-cut type person, but skipping ironing isn’t a short cut, it is more like a dead end.
Just seeing that it is quilt month makes me want to drop everything and get to work! If only…
Great tips!
Those are some great tips for a beginner like me. Thank you so much!
Great tips! Thanks so much!
Thank you for doing this series! I did not know that tip of washing fabric with baby shampoo. I tend to not wash fabric when making quilts, but I always use color catchers which have worked for me so far!
Great tips! I have the most trouble with the cutting! Definitely just need to practice more!
Very excited about this series. I am working on my first quilt and realizing there is so much more to learn.
Great practical tips to get started! Thanks so much!
Jacquie you are AWESOME!!!! Thanks for the clear and concise instructions. As a new quilter I find this info very valuable. Looking forward to your next installment.
Dianne
Great post! I learned a lot from the cutting tips, especially. Looking forward to the next posts in the series.
No detergent–I never knew! Thanks for that information. Does anyone know if Woolite would be okay to wash with?
These basics tips are so helpful. Keep them coming!
Great tips!! thank you!!
so nice to learn the basics from jacquie.
When I was younger, I was never taught to prewash. Now that I am sewing again, I can tell the difference in prewashing. Makes me wonder about the fabrics on Project Runway…….
Great post! I am new to the quilting game, so I really appreciate the awesome tutorials!
thanks SMS for a stay at home crash course on quilting! really looking forward to a fun month here!
A bunch of useful points. I see I’ll learn a lot during this month. At least in theory
! Thanks for providing those lessons!
Oh, this is really wonderful. I’m one of those people who is always just winging it, with very little patience for instruction. You laid it all out so simply that I think I actually absorbed that information! I can’t wait to see the next installment.
Thanks! This is great imformation and the photos are extremely helpful. I heart Cath Kidson!
I didn’t know not to use detergent. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for the tips on squaring the fabric! That really helps
Thanks for the cutting tips. It is always nice for a refresher. Do you have a tip for cutting bigger peices… Lets say like 18 inch?
here is to a year of straight cutting!! i will master the rotary cutter!
I am really looking forward to this series of step by step tips. That will be so helpful for me! Oh, and what a novel thought–check the first strip to make sure it is right before proceeding. That would help me out a lot if I did that!!
I’m just getting ready to start a quilt, so these tips are great to hear!
I always struggle with squaring up, feeling I am wasting fabric. But I was more time trying to get square cuts!
What wonderful information! Thank you so much.
Thanks for the great tips!
Thank you so much for this tutorial!! I want to begin in this great quilt-world!! XD
didn’t know about the detergent part. I guess that’s useful when preparing fabric for any kind of project. thanks for the clear instructions.
Oh! This is nice, I’ve been wanting to take up quilting but haven’t managed to get around to it. I’m definitely bookmarking this.
(My sister bought some of the rulers and a rotary cutter for sewing and my father called us geeks when we were discussing how cool they were…)
Thanks for the helpful tutorial! Looking forward to your next installment.
Thanks for this post!
Fantastic tips and oh so important to get it right at the very beginning of the quilt process. Can’t wait for the next instalment.
If you aren’t a new quilter, it is still great to review the basics. Thanks!
I’ve made a quilt for each daughter this year–now it’s my turn, and I welcome being reminded of the basics.
Love the folding idea! Thanks!
thanks for the great tips. i’m fairly new to quilting and am really looking forward to this whole month of info here!
Thanks for the great tips!
I didn’t know about not cutting beyond your hand! Thanks for the tip.
Great information! I always prewash, because I am allergic to the chemicals fabric is treated with.
After about 10 years away from quilting (and a UFO quilt in the cupboard), I’m glad to read these tips and refresh my memory.
Thanks
I’m not a knitter yet. This is something I want to learn when everyone goes to school so I’m reading and taking lots of notes! Great instructions- you make it look easy.
Ahh, I’d never thought of using anything other than detergent to wash fabric in, great tip!
I love quilting but I can’t seem to get the binding just right when I have to join the ends on the quilt. I need some pointers. Lots of good tips and information! Thanks!
Oooh I can already tell… I’m going to love this month!
I’m so excited that the basics will be taught here! I can’t wait to learn step-by-step.
I can’t wait to see what comes up in quilting month! So far I’ve made one big quilt and three baby quilts, I’m looking forward to learning more techniques!
Very helpful, thanks! Any suggestions for a rotary cutter that skips? I’ve tried changing the blade, adjusting the tension on the screw, and adding more pressure as I cut, but I can never get my cuts to look anywhere as neat as yours, since I have to go over them so many times. I rarely ever try to cut through more than one layer of fabric since it’s so much work just to cut through a single layer. Ideas?
I hope to follow this along all the way through! I’ve not yet quilted but I aspire to
Those color catchers are a great tip for prewashing!
Wow fantastic tips! Thanks so much.
I have an unfinished quilt stored away somewhere and this may be just the thing to get me going again.
just bought a 24×36 cutting mat and it is so much better than the smaller one i had… great tip!
I heed the voice of experience when using my rotary cutter
Now if only I could find the new blades for it….
Great tips! Thank you!
can’t wait for the rest of the month’s articles!
My cutting mat is the best sewing tool I ever invested in!
it is so good to repeat this advice! i love learning new little things as i read how someone else does something.
Great beginner tips. Cutting is still the part of quilting I hate the most, but getting a rotary cutter, good ruler and a big mat made it a lot better!
Very wise advice on cutting. It all helps to avoid waste and mistakes.
What an awesome tute! I am a dreadful cutter, but I’m pretty good at following good instructions, so I’m hoping that my next cutting adventure will work out better for me. Thank you for the thorough tips! I’ve done one quilt, a jelly roll, and I’d love to quilt more so I’m super psyched for Quilt Month here!!
Thank you for your great tips!
Thanks for the tips! They are very helpful for us newbie quilters!
Yes, uhm, pre-washing doesn’t happen much at my house either, but luckily, as you said, I like the wrinkled finished look when I wash it. And, even that evens out over time.
I really need to get an inch quilting ruler – at the moment I’m using an inch mat and a cm ruler! Do-able (and sometimes very handy) but I can see from the photos that using the inch one for quilting would make it easier when trying to stick to inches, which I’m not very good at being a metric gal!
I think I have been cutting backwards all along…so thank you! Also, I aspire to be in the “non pre-wash” group, I hate waiting to prewash!
Oooh! This is just what I’ve been looking for! I’ve been wanting to start quilting but have no idea where to start. Thanks!
this series is gonna be SO helpful! I can’t wait to get started.
Thanks for the tips!!
thank you for explaining cutting; I have consulted so many of my peer who quilt and was still not clear on cutting.
I’m just about to start my first quilt after making a few doll quilts so I could practice but this tutorial is just what I need.