Rotary Cutting Tutorial: Cutting from the Strips

I cut 4.5-inch squares for this tutorial but the same instructions can be used to cut any size square or rectangle. 

Carefully move your strip so that it is horizontal, with selvages on the left. Keep the strip folded together. Line up the square ruler as you did in the "squaring up" section along the bottom edge of the strip, about 2-inches to the left of the selvage.

Now, again as you did in the "squaring up" section, place the long ruler against the left edge of the square ruler.

Carefully remove the square ruler.

Cut along the right side of the ruler and discard the selvages. The left and bottom edges are now at a perfect 90 degree angle.

Lay your long ruler on top of your strip lengthwise. Line up the left edge of the fabric with the 4.5-inch mark on the ruler. Cut along the right side of the ruler.

Separate the two fabric layers and you have two perfect 4.5-inch squares.  Repeat these steps to make as many squares or rectangles as you need.

Comments

[mims]

what a fantastic tutorial, the pics are so clear and directions precise.

I can't help noticing however that although the squares end up being perfect, the pattern is not...meaning if you follow the dots in the print along an edge. they are on a slant and not parallel to the cut edge. I am sure in a made up quilt it would not matter with this subdued pattern but it might be noticed in a bolder print.

Is it better to square up using the selvedge or the pattern?

[bethany]

This was excellent as I never had instructions on using the quilting rulers! I thought I could figure it all out myself (being a graphic designer) but this will make my quilt squares so much easier! THANK YOU!!!

[purl bee]

Dear Mims,
The selvages on most fabrics are not necessarily straight, so if you are trying to cut to a specific print it is better to square it up with the printed pattern, though even this sometimes isn't perfectly straight. For cutting specific prints sometimes you have to fudge it a bit.

[meglem]

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!
I have been very interested in trying my hand at quilting, but have never used a rotary cutter. I saw a rotary cutting starter kit yesterday, but was apprehensive about getting it. Now I am excited! Thanks for these excellent tutorials for all of us rookies out there!

[lilli tutu]

Great tutorial. Ineeded this:) Thanks so much!

[natalie]

ohhhh perfect! just what i needed! i've been dying to learn more about quilting but have held off on buying a rotary cutter and mat! with these instructions i think i could def get started!! :)

[Kathryn]

Thanks for this. I had truly no idea how to use that rotary cutter I bought before Christmas, and now I do. Very clear and important.

[Caitlin]

I have tried to use a rotary cutter before and I had a hard time, but thanks to this tutorial I see what I was doing wrong. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[Stephanie]

Lovely tute! I have such a hard time cutting away from myself lol. Maybe this will help me remember.

[Jen (sewandsox)]

I learned to use a rotary cutter so long ago that some of the steps have become a bit fuzzy or I've developed my own bad habits. Thanks for the very clear instructions. I'll refer to this regularly.

[Skubach]

Wonderful tutorial! I just got a long quilt ruler and had some difficulties using it - imagine that! - I know how to use a ruler, but this one just didn't do it right...(-;
Thanks for a very clear and functional tutorial!

[Susan]

I had the same question as Mims..thanks for answering her comment so promptly. I'm a bit embarrassed though. I've used a rotary cutter for a long time and never really liked doing it. Could be because I'd never known about using the square to square it up, depending instead on just eyeballing it. No wonder it's been wonky. Will that also prevent those uneven cuts that sometimes appear at the fold, where it rather looks like an odd butterfly along one edge?

[purl bee]

Dear Susan,
That is exactly why you square up the fabric.

[Heather]

What a fantastic tutorial - and the pictures are so clear! I'm a self-taught sewer and I never knew this method of "squaring up" before now. Things are going to be so much easier now! Thank you. :)

[Hannah]

Thank you for the brilliant tutorial! I am just beginning to explore patchwork and quilting thanks to last minute patchwork and quilting gifts book. I was in the craft store yesterday questionning the need for two rulers, however I now understand and can see the benefits! Cannot wait to get started on my first quilt, one I have all the kit, just need to find a good fabric shop in Wales!

[tut-tut]

Well, you should give your tutorial to Martha Stewart! Her rotary skills are D-, given yesterday's show making hats with S Espatha Merkerson.

[terry]

It would have been a little nicer if you had said for the left handed people, "you do this" instead of saying, "just reverse everything to right handed".It's not so easy trying to take a class when everyone is cutting right handed and cutting so quickly and the "lefty' has to figure out how to arrange her material and no one can help because they are 'righties" and don't realize that there is a big difference. Even the teacher is baffled. It takes a lot more time to figure things out and it's so frustrating. Thank God I found a book by Alex Anderson on rotary cutting.God did make one of his best left handed just for me ...So there are books out there for you other "lefties" who are in your "right mind."

[purl bee]

Hi Terry,
Sorry you felt "left-out" of the tutorial (so to speak)...

The rotary cutters come out of the package for righties, so when you open the package, take off the blade and switch it to the opposite side (it will be on the right of the yellow plastic part once you switch it).

For all of the other directions above, you literally change the word left for right and right for left. I hope this helps.

Best wishes, Joelle

[Siri]

I had a mat, ruler, and cutter at one time but could never figure them out, eventually giving it all away.
Then, one day I came across someone at my local quilt shop cutting fat quarters. She gave me a few brief suggestions right then and there, essentially similar to yours, while I watched her at work, only without the extra square ruler. I like that part of your tutorial here. It will reduce much shuffling around of the fabric on the mat for me, or rather, me shuffling around to the other side of the mat sometimes to get things all lined up and in the right position to cut again.
Oddly enough I've really been enjoying again recently the slow process of tracing a template and cutting each piece with scissors. Sure it slows me waaay down but it lets me really enjoy and appreciate the colors, patterns, and "hand" of each fabric as I'm cutting the pieces out.

[peggy]

Just wanted to thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I'm left handed, and I could never succeed with the cutter. Now after reading your information and changing the blade to the other side, my strips are perfect. Thanks so much!

[Cheryl]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Very helpful.

[Lili]

Thanks for this great tutorial! I use my rotary cutter and mat often, but I always seem to have problems. Instead of being a quilter, and making strips, I'm usually cutting out a 10 by 13 inch square out of a whole yard (or more) for my projects.

I try and use my rotary but it seems so difficult. How do you know when to stop after the first cut, and then lining up the other side? ugh! Would you suggest I cut squares like that out by hand? I'm trying to find the quickest way.

Thanks!

[Jen @ Blissfully Caffeinated]

This is absolutely the best cutting tutorial I have come across. The pictures that accompany the directions are a lifesaver. Thank you thank you thankyou!

[melissa]

Is a rotary blade used for cutting out patterns as well as quilting? Or for only cutting out quilt pieces?
I'm just learning and I cut out my patterns with scissors, it takes forever. I wonder if there is a quicker way.

[purl bee]

Hi Melissa,
If your pattern has straight lines you can do it with a rotary cutter. Its a little tricky to cut curves precisely with a rotary cutter. I sometime do a combination of rotary and scissors on patterns that have both curved and straight lines to save myself a bit of time. Hope this helps!
Joelle

[Nancy Ward]

Hi!

Today I posted an entry on my blog with a link to this tutorial.

Would you let me know if that's OK?

Thanks,

Nancy Ward
http://paperfriendly.blogspot.com

[purl bee]

Hi Nancy,
Its great, thank you for letting us know!

[nanapenn]

I think you are WONDERFUL! Your pictures and instructions are clear and concise. I have been sewing for over 40 yrs. and am finally learning how to use a rotary cutter. Now I don't know how I got along without it.
Thanks!

[consuelo]

I found your site yesterday and I am enthralled. One could spend several years absorbing all the information on it (at least it would take me that long). I just read through your rotary-cutter tutorial and it was so helpful. You are so wonderfully creative.

[Claire]

Hi, thanks for this fab tutorial. I just wondered whether you suggest using a rotary cutter to cut pattern pieces, or if its really made for quilting? Just wondering how it goes on curves.
Thanks :) x

[Karen]

Hi,
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I am left handed and a avid sewer. I never-ever knew that Rotary cutters were geared for either hand. No wonder why I have been having problems and stopped using my cutter. I will try again!

Thanks Again.

[Julie]

I have a question- and I'm probably missing something obvious that would answer it, but I'll ask anyway! When you cut the fabric to a 90 degree angle, after lining up the square ruler, why place the long one next to it and remove the square? Couldn't you just cut along the edge of the square ruler? Thanks!!

[purl bee]

Hi Julie,
you use the square ruler to make sure you have the exact right angle to the fold, but you can't cut along it, you need the long ruler to use as a guide for your rotary cutter.

Let us know if this doesn't clarify it for you.
Good luck!