Monday, September 6, 2010

Quilt Along: Post 2 - Cutting Instructions

Do you have your fabric ready? Are you eager to get going? We hope so but if not head back to our first post to find out how much fabric you will need.

To recap, we need 80 blocks for the 44" x 55" quilt.


If you are making your quilt with 20 fat quarters, each fat quarter will yield 4 blocks. It is important to note that you will use roughly 10"-11" of each fat, this will leave you with some fabric left over.

And if you are using a jelly roll, one will do the job.

Each block is comprised of 1 x 2.5" center square (pictured in grey), 2 x 2.5" outside squares (pictured in green) and 2 x 2.5 by 6.5" rectangles (pictured in green) which make up the top and bottom of the block.

These measurements INCLUDE seam allowances.

Let's get started!
  • Ensure all your fabric has been pressed, get your mat and ruler out and have your rotary blade at the ready.
Cutting instructions if you are using fat quarters are:
  •  From the 55cm or 3/4 yard piece of fabric (which will be the center square of every block) cut as many 2.5" strips as the fabric will allow and then cut these strips into 2.5" squares. You will need a total of 80 center squares. 
  • Each fat quarter will give you the borders for 4 blocks.
  • Lay one (feel free to cut more than one at a time, by placing them evenly on top of each other) fat quarter on your cutting mat, with the longest side of the fat quarter running vertically. Smooth fabric so that it is nice and flat.
  • With your ruler, cut 4 x 2.5" strips. Remove the excess fabric being careful not to disturb your strips.
  • Turn your cutting mat so the vertical strips are now horizontal.
  • With your ruler, cut 2 x 6.5" strips and then cut 2 x 2.5" strips.
  • You should now have 8 x 2.5" squares and 8 x 2.5" by 6.5" rectangles.

    Cutting instructions if you are using a jelly roll are:

    each strip will yield 2 blocks. (You will need to use 40 strips for the basic size and 78 for the larger size)

    Sub-cut each strip into the following strips -
    • 6 x 2.5 inch squares
    • 4 x 6.5 inch strips

    And that's it.

    Simple, right?

    Please email us at fatquarterly@googlemail.com if you have any questions. See you in a week for piecing.

    25 comments:

    1. Thanks Kate! Now I really need to figure out which fabrics I’m going to use...

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    2. Having lots of fun cutting up my jelly roll in Australia!

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    3. Beginner question: I bought a jelly roll. Do I need to wash the strips before cutting, or is it pre-washed?

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    4. I {finally!} ordered my Jelly Roll. I chose Botany. Love the brights and the yellows!

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    5. In the process of setting up my sewing room. Getting my table this week. Hopefully I can get caught up!

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    6. I am with bulldog up there! I am a beginner, do I wash my jelly roll first, and if so how do I keep the strips from fraying??

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    7. Don't wash your jelly roll strips gals!!!! They'll all shrink at the same rate once pieced and washed together, so no worries.

      I'm onto the cutting. I love it that I can use one jelly roll and get a whole quilt! I look forward to seeing the green one from the pieces in this post...hmm, wonder what's going in the centre squares?

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    8. I'm still debating which fabric to use! decisions, decisions!

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    9. WOOOOHOOOOO!! I am ready for cutting tomorrow. I have my jelly already and waiting for the cutter.. I'm so excited, this is my first quilt, and my first quilt along... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

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    10. What fun!! Just have to get through my day at work then tonight it'll be a party with the rotary cutter.

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    11. Maybe a stupid question but . . . if I cut a jelly roll, I am supposed to cut 6 x 2.5 inche strips, and then . . . how does one get 4 x 6.5 strips out of a strip that is only 2.5 inches wide? I am missing something here . . . or I'm half asleep. Help!

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    12. @maveve315- the jelly roll strip is already 2.5" wide, so you don't have to worry about that dimension!

      When it says (4x6.5 strips), it means to cut 4 pieces from the jelly roll strips that each measure 6.5" long.

      For the (6x2.5 squares), since the strip is already 2.5" wide, you just need to cut 6 pieces 2.5" long and you will have your squares!

      Hope that make sense!

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    13. Im am cutting in Germany, and have choosen a red assortment of Fassett fabrics

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    14. I'm still with you..have printed out instructions given so far but haven't yet done anything. Reason being....a baby quilt for our neighbors....baby coming very soon! The baby quilt is sandwiched and ready to machine stitch. Cross your fingers that it turns out!

      Hugs to all!

      Karen

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    15. Have managed half the cutting this evening - think I must be very inefficient! Getting excited to see all the fabrics together and starting to think about how they go together.
      Gosh quilt-alongs are fun!
      ;o)
      M.x

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    16. Thanks Mary! Makes much sense . . . I'm ready now!

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    17. hope this isn't a silly question but...

      according to the directions for fqs, we need to cut(4) 2.5" sqs but the directions for jelly rolls have us cutting (6) 2.5" sqs.

      by the looks of the pattern above, I believe it's supposed to be only 4 (2 per block), right??

      thx!

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    18. Just what I need! With work and grad school I've had little time to quilt but this little project should go quickly and will be a great pick-me-up. I've been holding on to a Berry Bliss Bali Pops that will be perfect for this. Thanks! (Gotta go grab that rotary cutter and get caught up! . . . )

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    19. I'm using a mix of jelly roll strips, FQ, and scraps from the scrap bin! So just to make sure I understand this right, I need to end up with 80 middle squares @ 2.5" each, 160 2.5" squares and 160 6.5" x 2.5 strips. Plus a few extras to ensure a good mix. Yes?

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    20. I am so excited about this quilt along. I've got all my fabrics selected and ready to cut.

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    21. I'm using a Modern Meadow jelly roll and some white. This is giong to be so fun!

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    22. Hi,
      Could you please tell me what fabric (color type etc.) you have used for the center square?

      Thanks Annie

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