How to Square Up Fabric for Cutting

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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.
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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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Опубликовано:

16 ноя 2017

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Комментарии : 249

@dottiemathews6853 Год назад

i like how she teach. Straight. No chaser. to the point.

@maryexton7929 2 года назад

Soooo happy to hear that you pre-wash your fabrics.

@patl3013 4 года назад

When I learned to sew with cottons 50+ years ago, we made a snip through the selvage and ripped across to the other selvage. This always followed the straight of grain. After pressing the edge, line it up and cut your strips.

@SparkyOne549 Год назад

That’s what I do.

@janholman6192 Год назад

Yes, I agree as I was taught that in Home-Ec class 50 years ago as well!

@mlelmendorf 5 лет назад

The fold is my true and not my salvage! This is so helpful.

@stephB7609 Год назад

I've been sewing for about 5 years and I just learned so much more in this short video. Thank you so much for being so descriptive (and giving the why's).

@janeventrella1419 3 месяца назад

Thank you very much for the great advice!

@NationalQuiltersCircle 3 месяца назад

Thank you for watching!

@barbstaser7851 2 года назад

Thanks. That helped.

@tamikamayes2210 4 года назад

I rarely comment but you’re a great instructor! Very focused on the main objective while adding relevant tips along the way.

@dianepeters1916 6 лет назад

You have a calm and easy voice, and you provide a lot of information in a short clip. I like your presentation and appreciate your demos. I like your style. Thank you.

@elizabethjury2930 2 года назад

Like you i prewash all my fabric before sewing, for more than 60 years ive done this. I am new to quilting and was told not to prewash my yardage, but quietly went ahead and washed it. You instruction re cutting and folding and self edges has been invaluable to me and thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

@CatherineRozanski1963 4 года назад

Thankyou so much...FAB video, I am straightening up fabric to make a cuddle quilt for my 1st Grandbaby Leo who was born yesterday🦁👶🍼😍 xXx

@kathytincler2446 5 лет назад

Thank you for this. I'm so new to sewing that I have barely stitched a stich yet but am watching lots of vids so this new world has some meaning to begin with. I'm saving this....most helpful :D

@sheilacarroll7143 5 лет назад

As a beginner I have been looking for videos on how to square up my fabric and I came across yours. You explain it very well and make a task that I was dreading seem pretty easy. Thank you for sharing. 😊🌹

@darleneappleman3911 2 года назад

Thank u for vidio information

@tammywhitley2791 6 лет назад

Thank you so much. I have read that 3 times in a book and could not understand it. You made it so easy! Thank you

@caroltee2242 5 лет назад

I'm a new quilter and this is a great help! I've had trouble squaring up and I can see that this will solve my issues. I've been looking at it almost the opposite. Great! Thank you :)

@shibishka 3 года назад

Very easy to understand. Thank you for not making this more complicated than it is in my head!

@NationalQuiltersCircle 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@dkonbest 4 года назад

Thank you for being so clear; I need that.

@cmtandrlt 3 года назад

Great tips for a good piece of fabric. Might be more useful to show how to square up a wonky piece of fabric.

@esterhudson5104 6 месяцев назад

She did.

@lindalee6228 4 года назад

Great video! Love your teaching style. Your demonstrations and explanations are easy to understand and focused on the topic (no background music, joking around, or chatting with someone else). Excellent learning experience. Thanks so much for making this awesome video. I'm definitely saving it so I can refer others to it. ☺

@JesusisKing222 3 года назад

I so agree!!

@paulayousif2902 6 лет назад

Awesome,never thought of cupped hand. Thank you. I always use the mat,now I get it. I am a pre-washer too.

@theresebouchie1248 2 года назад

Thank you!

@NationalQuiltersCircle 2 года назад

You're welcome!

@judithchristensen7377 5 лет назад

Really helpful, Heather. I appreciate how you explain clearly & with a good patter in speech. You are easy to follow & understand,

@katherinemoore2647 5 лет назад

Thank you ive watch numerous videos and was holding my ruler down with the palm of my hand. Until now i couldn't figure out what I was doing different than the videos. Then again im on my very first sewing project so thank you!!

@cathymiller4489 6 лет назад

Thank-you Heather for the great tips! Just got back into sewing and quilting. Wow!!!

@Marie791963 5 лет назад

You are a great teacher. This lesson was well planned and gave attention to the many details involved in the cutting process. Thank you!

@allieshepherd7860 10 месяцев назад

I've been making quilts for quite a few years and did not know some of these techniques. Thank you for a great video.

@NationalQuiltersCircle 10 месяцев назад

Glad it was helpful!

@marytryon8314 4 года назад

Thank you for the lesson! I have made a couple small quilts and I knew I was not squaring up my fabric correctly. You really made it easy to understand AND using cup fingers, not palm to hold the square down. Thx.

@fritzferris3287 5 лет назад

Liked the video. Clear voice, precise instructions. Good camera work.

@theguywiththethething7161 5 лет назад

You are a great teacher, thank you!

@fionaelisabet6648 4 года назад

I love your intro and color composition of the video😍

@paulabutts5289 5 лет назад

Love the great ideas on making a quilt.

@alyseceleste 2 года назад

You could’ve used a longer ruler but I’m so glad you didn’t because using the smaller size and showing how you cut longer cuts was PERFECT for what I’m looking for !

@lizsenser8055 4 года назад

I've been struggling with this issue for more than 3 years. Thank you Heather for this easy to understand, informational video. Not sure how I missed it for all these years but sure am glad I found it!!

@veevee111 6 лет назад

Thank you, newbie here ☺️. Those are all great tips.

@MrBill10307 2 года назад

new to the profession of stitching by default, My thoughts throughout this were about how really great you are as an educator.... great job

@nathanielsoans5118 6 лет назад

very useful tips for beginners . thanks for sharing

@heyBrownBerry 2 года назад

Such wonderfully clear instructions and great view to see the details. Thank you!

@zenith808 3 года назад

Just came across your video. have been struggling for forever...but now, am sure my struggles are over. thank you

@NationalQuiltersCircle 3 года назад

Glad I could help!

@naydanjay 5 лет назад

Thank you for this video. I've been wondering how to do this. You explained it so well. Now I won't have wonky projects. Also, I've never heard of Synthrapol. I had to google it. (As they say, "google is your friend. LOL) I'm going to watch your other videos. You are a really good teacher. I love all the hint you gave also; especially the one about cupping your hand so the ruler won't slide. Thank you again for your video.

@phoebesue3008 4 года назад

Most helpful cutting video I have watched. Thank u!

@deleanabadger4037 4 года назад

I really appreciate this lesson. I make self-binding baby blankets and they must be squared. I have never been able to get them in perfect squared position but now I can. Thankyou.

@scottym50 2 года назад

Thank you for the great information. Very well explained, even I can do it now. Great video.

@carolmchargue7746 4 года назад

Thank you. I really needed this. I subscribed. I don't want to miss any helpful tips.

@readwisetoo5207 5 лет назад

Your demonstration looks & sounds very good it's so much better than some others I've watched. Just need to add that a quilt may not require a TRUE on-grain but if someone is sewing something to wear such as dress, I would want to "pull a thread" to find the TRUE grain so the garment is sure to hang correctly, especially after laundering.

@bnyzhny 6 лет назад

Excellent technique and explained very clearly. Thank you.

@deniseclare2605 6 лет назад

Thank you for this very helpful video.

@miamilburn8583 3 года назад

I appreciate the detailed instructions. This is a new method to me, even tho i have done some sewing since 1976. I appreciate you clarifying such logical reasons for washing the fabric first.

@NationalQuiltersCircle 3 года назад

Wonderful!

@jodic7760 2 года назад

Thank you for making this video!

@judymills873 3 года назад

Thanks, first lesson on this that makes sense to me

@lindsayalexander3354 6 лет назад

Great video! I've been struggling with this! :)

@sdc9060 6 лет назад

Thank you for sharing. You're a jewel because I was having a fit on how to use those rulers. I now need to buy another mat and a suction tool to hold down the square or what ever kind of ruler I'll need. Thank you and keep the videos coming. I've subscribed.

@Kissy2006 4 года назад

Thank you so much for making this video!!

@GrammaPatriot Год назад

Thank you for this! That makes me so nervous just to think of squaring up my fabric. You make it look so easy!

@NationalQuiltersCircle Год назад

We're so glad this helped!

@semco72057 4 года назад

That is nice to know and I am a beginner at quilting and using a sewing machine and have squares left by my grandmother when she was alive and quilting and want to use them to make a quilt for myself, and if I have enough material make a second one also. My local Wal-Mart was the only place where I could find the tools I could use and ordered some tools from another user online, but the ones I got isn't long enough and I have to find other rulers from other sources so I can cut the material the way I want them. I have learned something new here about cutting material and I will use it to cut what I have when I get all the tools needed.

@robynwinning4473 6 лет назад

thankyou, that was very helpful.

@trinalegnon7611 3 года назад

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I will be showing it to my sewing students. Your explanation is easy to understand and so helpful.

@NationalQuiltersCircle 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful! Thrilled we could be of help!

@jesusreignsoveraustralia 2 года назад

Finally someone that explains it properly. I waste so much time to trying to square fabric and it’s hard when I dine have the selves get attached to my fabric.

@NationalQuiltersCircle 2 года назад

We're so glad we could save you time and fabric!

@perfectpoison69 4 года назад

🍒Thank you so much for the descriptive video! I am about to make my first quilt and realized that I didn't know how to cut perfect squares for it or that I needed certain things! Now, thanks to you... I have just ordered a great kit with everything I need and now know what selvage and true mean in sewing! Thank you so much!🍒

@NationalQuiltersCircle 4 года назад

You are so welcome!

@annasipinski2468 4 года назад

Thank you great lesson!

@aheartofworship27 2 года назад

Lucky find, Awesome explanation! Thanks Alicia

@lynetterene 4 года назад

Thank you so much.....very well described....much appreciated

@lehmans3fsu 5 лет назад

Great video! 👏🏽👏🏽

@Lestanymanshouldboast 6 месяцев назад

Thankyou, well done, and very helpful😊

@sherrystacey7720 5 лет назад

So what if the fabric doesn't line up nicely when selvages are together? THAT is what everyone needs to show on youtube! THAT is the information needed.

@gailmood6209 5 лет назад

You have to adjust the cut edge intil selvage is even. Washing can affect straight of grain. Same as when your fabric is ripped instead of cut. The grain may not be straight. .

@traceymay8784 6 лет назад

Great advice it worked so well - thank you :-)

@roxynix6728 3 года назад

Very informative thank you

@NationalQuiltersCircle 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@katiel557 3 года назад

Thank you! I have watched many videos on this and yours was the most helpful

@NationalQuiltersCircle 3 года назад

I'm so glad!

@susanowen1709 5 месяцев назад

Stretch the selvedge...now why didn't I think of that?? Using the square ruler makes so much sense, too. And not using the flat of your hand to hold the ruler. So glad I decided to watch this; many thanks for sharing your wisdom!

@PattymacMakes 5 лет назад

Thank you! Super helpful!

@janetehoffman 5 лет назад

Very nice and helpful ✂️✂️✂️✂️😘

@jsilva7586 2 года назад

Thank you very much for sharing and appreciate you and you explained it well, thank you again have a great day

@ThomasLaneDesigns Год назад

You’re amazing and thank you so much!

@beverlyjustice9491 5 лет назад

Very helpful tips,

@Everyoneisanartist776 2 года назад

Wonderful explanation thanks

@CristinaNogueiraAlves 6 лет назад

perfect 90 degree angle

@RebeccaRohrHome 5 лет назад

Great tips enjoyed ty✂️✂️✂️

@caroldubois6183 5 лет назад

Very good. Thanks.

@jdmarr2259 Год назад

Excellent video! Thank you!

@NationalQuiltersCircle Год назад

Glad you liked it!

@tracystoutbehunin9303 5 лет назад

This is sooo helpful!! I’m making napkins and after pre washing them, they are distorted. You solved my prob! Great clear and prof video.

@kantwinnada 4 года назад

I wish I had seen this sooner. So many people told me to : just line up the selvage ugh Thank you for a great tutorial

@darleneappleman3911 3 года назад

Thank u for tips

@MemoryOfGravy 3 года назад

Thank you for this

@NationalQuiltersCircle 3 года назад

No problem 😊

@MrsMTMomma 6 лет назад

As a professional seamstress I learned many years ago from my grandmother and mother who're also professionals that you put the selvedges together holding the fabric out in front of you with the fabric hanging free, not on a table. Shift the piece of fabric facing you to the right or left until it hangs straight with no diagonal folds or wrinkles. Hold firmly then lay on a cutting mat and then cut your square edge. The fabric will be on grain. If you have more than 2-3 yds of fabric it's very helpful to have a helper hold the fabric at one cut edge and you hold the other. Then shift the left or righthand fabric piece until you haven diagonal wrinkles as described above.

@tryingtobarefruitinoldage9878 6 лет назад

MrsMTMomma I like to see a you tube of this I almost see it. ☺️

@lindacarlson8424 5 лет назад

Yes, that what I learned as well.

@juliegathman2923 5 лет назад

I don't know what you mean by "shift," and I also would like to see how and where on the fabric you "cut your square edge." Are you saying that you use the selvedge edge as your true?

@jjan8989 5 лет назад

@@juliegathman2923 If you hold the fabric in front of you, selvages at the top and hanging down to form a U-shape, with the two layers of fabric between your thumb and index finger and your index finger and middle finger, you move one layer of the fabric back and forth slightly until the fabric hangs in a U shape correctly. The example in the video was very good, but her initial fabric cut edges were very even and square, that doesn't usually happen. You don't want to go by how the fabric was initially cut, but by the grain of the fabric which you can tell when it is hanging.

@juliegathman2923 5 лет назад

Thank you, I got the picture now!

@ginawells8230 5 лет назад

Good tips xoxo!!!!!

@kikimartin6896 4 года назад

I just learned so much! Thank you

@NationalQuiltersCircle 4 года назад

You are so welcome!

@reginascraftingandmore713 5 лет назад

Wow - I took several paid quilting lessons at "quilt shops" and NO ONE ever taught us to do that with the selvage.... Makes sense - Thanks so much

@The_Real_DreamM 5 лет назад

Thank you

@hopegoodwin2728 6 лет назад

Synthrapol is awesome! I got some from Dharma Trading and it's great for washing all kinds of fabric.

@Us-zy7xx 3 года назад

Thanks Good info 👌

@teenazless 2 года назад

I like the way you try up off the fold. The only thing I would do different is to use the mat to true up the width edge. It is easier to perfectly line up on the marks on the mat than on the folded edge. Also how you use the ruler for the strips is how I was taught many years ago. We were taught to always lay the ruler on top of what you want to save. This will protect the the “good” piece from any wayward cuts. Many do not do as you demonstrated. Thank you for this nice video

@ashleyandchloe 6 лет назад

Thank you so much for that tip on how to handle the ruler! I am brand new to this and have not been able to keep the ruler still during a cut. I was shocked and thought that I was just weirdly incapable and that I’d always struggle with quilting. I was totally smushing the ruler with my hand 😂, usually a balled up fist! THANK YOU 🙏 👏👏❤️

@juliegathman2923 5 лет назад

Hahaha, good description of my own difficulties! I am wondering why people are raving about this rotary thing, when it just moves and makes a messy cut.

@cookiefalcone1448 4 года назад

Yes! I was just about to say 90 degrees!

@sonalpatel6119 4 года назад

😍 Tanku for Time line

@julielangridge7900 5 лет назад

Thank you for your informative demo I will in future use the folded edge rather than the seal edge. Also my ruler used to move I have arthritis in my hands sometimes find it difficult to arch hand as get cramp. Will def give it a try tho. Thank you.

@tacksscherbo7771 5 лет назад

Julie--I use a couple of small strips of double stick tape on the underside near the corners of the ruler. Since that sometimes gives you fits trying to remove them, I leave a couple of "tabs" just stuck slightly to the top of the ruler. I have what's called "trigger fingers" which flare up when I "cup" my hand too much, so this method helps a lot.