Embroidery 101: Cutting the Fabric

Cutting the fabric is always one of the scariest parts of quilting to me. I guess because I can always use the trusty seam ripper to fix any mistakes sewing, but I cannot uncut fabric.  Case in point, I forgot to take pictures of the cutting methods for these fat quarters, so I thought I’d just cut up a spare one for the pictures, yep, two fat quarters later I decided to go with the photos I have, even if the fabric strips aren’t the exact measurement they are supposed to be.  Good thing I had better luck cutting the actual fabric.  I hope I haven’t scared you too much, you’ll be fine…so let’s get cutting!

Here’s the piecing diagram for the fat quarter.  You do not need to cut all these pieces right now, it is simply to show you how they will all fit in the fabric.

Begin by folding your fat quarter in half with the salvage edge along the top as pictured below.

Cut three 3″ x 20/22″ strips.  Set two strips aside for the inner/smaller square of your block and one aside for the outer/larger square.

From the remaining piece cut one 3″ x 20/22″ strip and one 6″ x 20/22″ strips.  Any remaining fabric can be added to the scrap pile.

From the one 3″ x 20/22″ cut one 2″ strip off the raw edge end {trim the edge before cutting if necessary}.  Cut that 3″ x 2″ strip into a 2″ square.  Set the long strip aside for the outer/larger square and the small square for the photo corners of the embroidery piece.

From the 6″ x 20/22″ strip, cut one 2″ strip off the raw edge end, then cut one 6″ x 13 1/2″ piece.  The remaining piece is scrap {but save it as we will try to incorporate it into our quilt back}.

From the 6″ x 2″ rectangle cut three 2″ squares, add the remaining square to these three for the four photo corners.  From the 6″ x 13 1/2″ rectangle cut two 3″ x 13 1/2″ strips, these are part of the outer/larger square.

I cut all my block pieces and then placed them in zip bags by piece.  When cutting, you only need to cut three fat quarters at a time {I cut them all at once because my boy was napping!}.  This will allow you to construct the blocks one at a time, if you prefer not to make them all at once.

Now, the cutting diagram for the solid fabric.  You will need:

• 9 – 5 1/2″ squares {pink}
• 18 – 1 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ rectangles {blue}
• 18 – 1 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ rectangles {yellow} (I had these reversed, they are correct now, thanks Sandi!)

When I assembled my blocks I did not pre-cut all the pieces.  Instead I cut all the 5 1/2″ squares {and fused 5 1/2″ squares of interfacing to the back}, but then I cut the 1 1/2″ strips and sewed them to the blocks, and then cut the blocks square.  You will see details of this Thursday when I post the block construction post.  However, it is important to note which lengths come from each strip to best use your fabric.  You are welcome to cut all the pieces if you like, but I prefer to do it the other way.

And, here is the diagram of the completed block.  You may also want to put some thought into arranging your blocks. I’ve done mine in groups of three — three blocks using three fabrics in rotating positions, and then I will shuffle those around the quilt.

Remember, this is my first time hosting a quilt along, so if you have any questions, please let me know!  I will answer all questions in an e-mail but also in the comments section, that way everyone can benefit.  Good luck, I know you’ll do great!

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