The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Topic started by: Lowena on June 19, 2018, 10:03:13 AM
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I have been trying to square off some 12" blocks. I have a 6.5" square ruler and cant work out how to do it( it's the only square ruler I have )
I consider myself ok at most aspects of p/q but for the life of me I have never got the hang of squaring blocks or cutting straight :| @Iminei gave me the above mentioned ruler, complete with sandpaper dots on to stop it moving....but.....they don't!! :angry: I ruined a whole fat eighth because it slipped :angry:
I cannot stand, bent over, for very long and often cut sitting down which doesn't help :|
I think it'll be pre cuts from now on...but.....his doesn't help with squaring.........give me a foolproof method please :ninja:
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I'm the last person to ask about anything dark, but I have just caught up with Frixion pens - how wonderful they are! Maybe drawing a line with one of those along your ruler would be quicker than cutting and you might be able to do it before it slips? Just a thought.
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Frixion pens are a great idea GB, but I would use them on the wrong side of the fabric. I've just done two cushions and slight marks are slightly visible, even after several ironings.
Jessie
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I do use frixion pens :'( It's the cutting that's the problem.....and yes, I do change my rotary blade frequently.
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For stopping slipping, I have found these dots (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003SBGW8C/), which are rubbery rather than rough, work very well indeed.
For squaring up, I'm at a bit of a loss unless I have a square of just the right size, in which case it becomes easy.
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How about cutting a square of the required size from freezer paper.
Put a few markings on it to allow for lining up with seams etc and iron it onto your block, you could then cut with fabric shears following the paper square as a guide.
Not a recognised method, but might save your sanity <3
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^ That's a good idea - and you can put your ruler on top of the paper to do the cutting.
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Thanks girls, I don't have fabric scissors or shears @Kad as i only use a rotary cutter for p/q and don't do any other sewing. I tried making a square block of the correct size as a template but it all went horribly wrong when I cut into it :'(
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I hesitate to say this - but maybe you could cut straighter with scissors?
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Sorry to hear you're still having trouble hon ....
But using a 6 1/2" sq (did I really give you that, I remember a ruler but didn't think it was that size)
To square up to 12 1/2" unfinished you would place the 6 1/4" line down the centre of your block ... and if you have a 45 degree angle try and align that from the centre to the corner of your block.
Maybe at FOQ you could treat yourself to a 12 1/2" square ruler ?
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@Lowena for goodness sake, treat yourself to a bigger square ruler! You deserve it to make things so much easier for you <3 If I can throw caution, bank balance, the need to eat and pay bills out of my mind and out the window and treat myself (Stripology Ruler) then so can you!! And you've got the FOQ coming up haven't you? There's bound to be a bargain had. :)
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Glad your @ worked @rubywishes so I would be alerted to your concern :D
I know I should do better than a gifted small ruler...but..... they are such a high price that I can't bring myself to buy one :| I don't think they do "sale prices" at the FOQ but I'll keep my eyes open for a bargain;) Trouble is, I worry that I might pay out big bucks and still not be able to work out how to do it :| :|