QuiltSandwich Tips on how to solve quilting problems
Tips for dealing with the common (yet difficult!) dilemmas quilters need to solve
Start by cutting a strip as wide as the square + 1 inch. Then, make a few clever folds and you can cut the fabric without any long cuts or a special ruler!
Strips joined with diagonal seams are preferred by many quilters because they are less noticeable and stronger. However, there are some things to keep in mind before you cut and piece a diagonal seamed strip.
This technique will work with any size fabric, however, depending on fabric piece dimensions the folds may look different.
Experienced quilters take advantage of fabric grain as they cut and sew fabric together. They know that taking the time to get the fabric grain right before they cut will make projects easier to assemble and results in a more polished completed quilt.
Square-in-a-Square blocks are popular, but they can be difficult if you want to make them without a pattern. Quilt Sandwich Notions and the Quilt Paper app handle all the complexity for you so you can focus on being creative!
Working to create a quilt with motif fabrics is a challenge for every quilter. The QuiltSandwich team got a question about this very issue.
"I have some children's fabrics that have motifs or squares in the fabric. As an example: alphabet blocks. I would like to create a quilt block from this motif of a specific size. For instance cut out the alphabet block, insert the cut measurements of say 6.5" inches into the program, and create a quilt design using that 6.5" motif by adding additional fabrics. Are there sizing options in this program? Or just set sizes to chose from? Thank you for any information."
If you’ve got a project like this in mind, you may find the guidance from the quilter on the QuiltSandwich Team helpful.
By using the nearest square, rectangle or triangle the Yardage Calculator can estimate the amount of fabric needed for special shapes, including 30° 45° and 60° diamonds, kites, hexagons and octagons.
Die cutters recommend fabric be placed on the die so the direction of least stretch, lengthwise, runs the length of the die as it is fed through the machine. These machines slightly stretch fabric during the pull of the fabric into the machine and press to cut.
QuiltSandwich's Yardage Calculator can help you take the extra care needed to prepare fabric for a die cutter by giving you control over fabric orientation as part of the yardage calculation.
The cutting diagram shows exactly how the strips and pieces are best cut from fabric. Use it before cutting fabrics for a pattern or kit to avoid coming up short. Because yardage calculations can be fine-tuned for special circumstances like one-way fabrics or fabric grain.
Measuring a large quilt top to figure the yardage for borders can be a challenge. These tips can help you get a better fit of borders to the quilt top.