How to Cut Fabric for Quilting (Tips + Tricks)
Unless you’re using pre-cuts like charm squares or jelly rolls, you are going to need to be able to make accurate cuts for your quilt pieces. In this blog post, I will cover what quilting tools you will need and the easiest way to cut fabric quickly and efficiently.
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Video Tutorial
Tools
Rotary Cutters
When it comes to cutting layers of fabric, you will need a good rotary cutter, preferably with a new rotary blade. A sharp blade with make cutting much easier. If you find yourself having to repeat cuts or use more pressure while cutting, change your rotary blade. Don’t even think about trying to use fabric scissors to snip your fabric. A 45mm rotary cutter is a great, all-purpose size for most cutting you will be doing. My current favorite is the Olfa Ergonomic Rotary Cutter (pictured below). If you want to learn more about rotary cutters and get a run-down on all the best ones, check out my blog post Best Rotary Cutters for Quilting and Sewing (2023).
Cutting Mat
The next tool you will need is a self-healing cutting mat. This is the surface you will cut your fabric on. It will protect your table or counter and allow your rotary cutting blades to roll smoothly, making cutting easier. I would suggest an 18″ x 24″ cutting mat to start. cutting mats come in lots of shapes and sizes, but an 18″ x 24″ is a good all-purpose size that will fit on most tables and counters.
I love this bundle that includes two cutting mats, a 45mm rotary cutter, and a 24″ ruler! Perfect for the new quilter!
Acrylic Rulers
A variety of acrylic rulers is the other tool you will need for cutting fabric. Currently, I own a 24″ x 6″ ruler, a 12″ x 6″ ruler, a 6″ square ruler, and a 12.5″ square ruler. These 4 are great for almost all cutting I do. Additionally, I have a Stripology XL Ruler from Creative Grids that I use when cutting lots of strips. If you are looking to purchase one quilting ruler to start, I would suggest the 24″ ruler. This will allow you to cut long strips of fabric. It will be a bit cumbersome for smaller cuts, but will get the job done!
Pre-Washing Fabric
When it comes to pre-washing fabric, this is completely up to the individual quilter. If you are using fabrics that are deeply saturated colors like reds and blue, you may want to pre-wash them to minimize any fabric bleeding in your finished quilt.
Also, if you are using different types of fabrics (like cotton and cotton blends) that may shrink at different rates, this would be another good reason to pre-wash. However, please note that if you plan to pre-wash your fabrics, this will cause the fabric to shrink and fray and this needs to be taken into consideration for fabric requirements. You will need to purchase slightly more fabric to account for the fabric loss. Most quilt pattern fabric requirements are written for unwashed fabrics.
I wouldn’t suggest pre-washing any piece of fabric that is smaller than a fat quarter. The reason for this is that washing causes the raw edge of the fabric to fray and you will lose some fabric yardage this way. Fat quarters and fat eighths are already small cuts of fabric
Ironing
I would highly suggest ironing your fabric before cutting. Attempting to cut wrinkled fabric can result in uneven cuts. Giving your fabric a quick press is the best way to ensure clean, even cuts.
What is the selvage?
The selvedge, or selvage edges are the tightly woven, “finished” edges of the fabric. Typically it will contain some information about the fabric like the fabric manufacturers, the fabric collection, and the specific color.
What is WOF?
The cutting instructions in most quilt patterns will include a reference to the “width of fabric”. The width of the fabric, abbreviated WOF, runs from selvage to selvage. For most fabrics, this will be 42″ – 45″ and will be noted on the end of the bolt.
Cutting Fabric Strips
When cutting strips of fabric, the first step should always be to square up the raw edge of the fabric. To do this, lay the fabric on the cutting mat, keeping the fabric folded in half the way it came off the bold. Use the folded edge of the fabric to create a 90-degree angle with your 24″ ruler. Trim off as little fabric as possible to create a nice straight fabric edge that you can now work from.
Note: The following instructions are for right-handed quilters. Left-handed quilters need to mirror these instructions. Next, position the fabric with the freshly cut edge to the left and the remaining fabric to the right. Line up your ruler with the cut edge of the fabric to meet whatever width your quilt pattern requires.
Use your non-dominant hand to put pressure on the acrylic ruler, taking care to not shift the ruler or the fabric. As a safety reminder, keep your fingertips clear of the edge of the ruler. Roll the rotary cutter along the edge of the ruler to make a nice straight cut.
Repeat this process, moving the ruler to make the next cut and checking that you are maintaining a 90-degree angle with the folded edge of the fabric. If your cuts are not 90 degrees to the fold, you will find you have an elbow (or a bend) in your strips of fabric.
Using the Stripology XL Ruler
The Stripology XL Ruler from Creative Grids is a favorite among quilters and for good reason! This extra grippy, slotted ruler has cutting slits every 1/2″. It is also marked for 1.5″ and 2.5″ cuts. If you do a lot of strip cutting, this is a game-changer!
To use this ruler, fold your fabric in half lengthwise (bringing the center fold to the selvedge) and ensure the edges are parallel. Place the Stripology XL Ruler over the top of the folded fabric, lining up the line of the ruler with the edges of the fabric. This ensures perfectly straight cuts without any elbows in your strips. Place the rotary blade in the teardrop opening at the bottom of the slit and roll the rotary cutter up to cut. Continue cutting strips. You can also subcut the strips by turning the ruler perpendicular to the fabric strips.
Subcutting Squares and Rectangles
To create squares or rectangles, you will need to subcut the strip of fabric created in the previous step. To do this, line up the strips on the cutting mat so that the strips are parallel to each other. You can do this by using the grid lines on the rotary mat. Next, line up your ruler so it is perpendicular to the strips. Using the same technique as above, cut the strips down into the required squares or rectangles.
Cutting Curves
Check out my other blog post “How to Sew Curves” for more on cutting and sewing curves.
Video Tutorial
Cutting Curves Using Templates
Print Template to Scale
If you purchased a quilt pattern that has curves, chances are it includes some paper or PDF templates that need to be cut out. If you have PDF templates, print them out and make sure they are to scale. Templates that are not printed to scale will cause your fabric pieces to be the incorrect size for your quilt top. Your template should have a 1-inch square on it, so you can confirm it is the correct size before you get started. Simply place one of your quilting rulers on the piece of paper and measure the square. If it measures more or less than 1″, then you need to adjust your printer settings.
Once you have your template printed to the correct size, cut them out using either scissors or a rotary blade. Go slow and try to be as accurate as possible.
Quick note; pay special attention to templates with one side marked “fold”. This means that the edge needs to be placed on the fold of the fabric to create a symmetrical shape.
How to Cut Semi-Circle and Quarter-Circle Units
Now that you have your pattern pieces, it’s time to cut your fabric. Lay the template piece on top of the fabric lining up the edges as necessary. Use your rotary cutter to slowly cut around the template. I like to use a small, acrylic ruler to help guide my rotary cutter while I go around the template. I have found it keeps the fabric and the paper nice and flat, minimizes shifting, and I can cut smoother curves this way.
The ruler also helps me use the inner line, rather than the outside edge, which can become smaller and smaller as little bits of paper get trimmed off. To use a ruler to cut your curves, line up the 1/4″ mark of your ruler on the inner seam line and guide the ruler and your rotary cutter around the template.
Fussy Cutting
In quilting, “fussy cutting” is cutting a piece of fabric so that it features a specific image or detail of the fabric. By nature, fussy cutting is less economical and can create more fabric waste. A clear, acrylic ruler is essential for fussy cutting as it allows you to see the fabric underneath so you can center the image you are trying to showcase.
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