how do i easily cut squares for patchworking?

Question

i have decided to make patchwork quits, was wandering if there is a tool you can purchase to cut squares the same size?

Answer 1

Angel has the best answer so far.
FYI: I usually cut about 6 layers at a time. If you try to do too many they will start to shift.

Answer 2

You have a lot of great suggestions already. Rotary cutters are the quickest and easiest method. Just make sure you have a good cutting mat. I have a rotary cutter attached to an acrylic ruler that I purchased at Wal-Mart for about $30. It's made by Fiskars, is 24" + long and 6 1/2" wide. It's my favorite cutting method for strips and square blocks among other shapes. First cut the fabric into strips, you can cut up to 6 layers at a time, then to cut the strips into squares you just line them up and cut in the other direction. Can't be easier and it's all in one tool. The way the cutter is attached to the ruler you just have to press down to cut. When you let up on it, the blade goes up and is no longer exposed. I have been using mine for over 2 years and the blade is still sharp. I do a lot of quilting and a lot of cutting. I have various rulers and rotary cutters. This is my favorite for strips and squares.

Answer 3

Sharp scissors will work but they also have a rotary cutter and board that I use. The board is clear and marked with measurements and angles and it has slits in it every half inch (or 1/4 of an inch depending on which one you have). That way you just lay your fabric down on a self healing cutting board and lay your measurement board over it and cut away with your cutter. Of course all this cost some money but if you're wanting to become an avid quilter it's worth it. If not then sharp scissors and a cardboard patern. I got all of my cutting supplies at Wal-mart for a total of about $30 but I've seen the same stuff at fabric stores for twice that amount.

Answer 4

You can buy a grey board/mat that has grid lines on it, and a heavy duty plastic ruler at any craft store or Wal-Mart. You'll also want to pick up a roller-cutter (i'm not sure of the technical term), available at the same stores. You can stack layers of fabric together and cut thru several layers with the roller, and it lays flat so your edges will stay even much easier than cutting with scissors. I use them and they work great! If you go to the craft stores they'll know exactly what you're asking for. - just tell them the roller-cutting tool and the mat thing that goes with it!
(The roller looks like a pizza cutter)

Answer 5

You need a good quality mat, a rotary cutter, and an acrylic template. You can cut multiple layers of fabric at one time, accurately, with a rotary cutter and acrylic template.

If you can not find a template in the dimensions that you wish, go to Lowes. Select a piece of plexi-glass and the tell one of the workers the size you need it cut to, and they will cut it for you. Also, you can buy the materials yourself and cut the plexiglass yourself. If you do it at home, use a clamp to hold the acrylic in place while you score it.

Answer 6

There are a number of ways to cut squares from fabric or fabrics. The best and quickest way is to use a "rotary cutter" and a "self-healing mat" as suggested before, rather than scissors. Various quilters' "rulers" and other shapes made from thick plastic are best to use with rotary cutters... these often have grid lines printed on them.

To make the cuts, you can stack several fabrics (or if you have just one fabric, fold it on itself till you have 4-6 layers), and cut them into strips as wide as you want the squares to be, then cut the stack of strips crosswise into squares ... or you can stack the fabrics, then use a template to cut the square with (metal or plastic templates you can buy will work better and longer than making one from cardboard or plastic, etc.)... or you can measure and cut them using a plastic quilter's ruler that's at least as wide in one direction as your square will be... or you can use the lines printed on the mat, along with a long ruler.

(There are other plastic shapes and rulers, and techniques, as opposed to squares.)


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 7

Just make a template to the required size out of stiff card and use a sharp blade to cut around it - simple is better LOL

Answer 8

a pair of sharp scissors should be a good start , then make a pattern out of cardboard for your square and use tailors chalk to mark your material with.....ta-dah