Saturday, June 12, 2010

HOW I MAKE 2 1/2 INCH SQUARES WITH MY 2 1/2 INCH STRIP DIE. This is great for massive production.

First of all.....I take my strip die and mark it across the width...you see the markings..



I used this tool to make it straight.



I was told by a blogger friend, Tracy, that if I ironed my fabrics, it would make a more crisp cut. I have found that if I iron my fabric even using a rotary cutter, that the cut at the fold will be straighter as well...



Lay lengthwise....and cut




Then using my lines I made across the die, I place the fabric across the die just like so next to the line... Notice that there is fabric hanging over...no worries, if I place the die as close to the other side as possible, these hanging fabrics move under the roller with ease. Then I take the remaining fabrics and place on die and cut.



Eighty-four squares in a matter of seconds....it just doesn't get any easier than that!



Accuquiltdoes have the cutter for a 2 1/2 inc square and is great, it is extremely wonerful for smaller projects...
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Candice from Squash House Quilts, sent me this pattern. I had commented on her blog how much I loved this pattern and asked here where I could buy it. Well....she sent me her copy...how awesome is that? I was sooooooo thrilled when I got home to find this waiting for me. Thanks Candice



In fact, I had alot of stuff waiting for me and will post at the bottom of my postings for a while, in hopes that I do not bore you all terribly.

20 comments:

Gene Black said...

I have cut 2 1/2 inch squares with my cutter also. I am thinking I will add the 3 1/2 inch strip cutter to my wish list!

Unknown said...

I'll have to remember this when I get that strip die.............looks like a cute pattern

PaTcHwOrK jEnN said...

That is awesome Barb! Thanks for sharing!

Jean said...

Thanks for the mini tutorial...though I am still JEALOUS! lol

Yvette said...

OMG! I didn't think I needed that cutter but after seeing that demo I may have changed my mind. That is AWESOME!!!!!!!

What a cute pattern! I look forward to seeing your finished creation from it. ;)

Oh, I thought of you yesterday too! I was frogging out a border on a quilt and remembered your post. LOL!

JustCindy said...

I really need to investigate the Go more since it seems to be a wonderful gadget. Cute pattern. Are you into chickens?

sewfunquilts said...

Hi Barb..
Wow! Thanks for the pics/tute on cutting 2 1/2" squares with the GO strip cutter.

After I get mine when I WIN THE GO from your giveaway, I'll be asking you and Gene all sorts of questions and shortcuts!

Thanks again to you and AccuQuilt for this wonderful GO Giveaway. Back to getting more votes.

Judy (sewmeow)

hetty said...

Barb! You could never bore me!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

That is really cool Barb! I wish I had a GO! ;-) I stopped by to check the poll. :-o It is hard to stay away, but even harder to watch them! I hid out in my sewing room yesterday. ;-) Love the chickens! (guess I am one~ LOL)Are they embroidered?

Anonymous said...

Smart Smart Smart!

Kim Brackett said...

Very cool! That looks like fun. So much fun that I would be cutting all day and not sewing anything!

Pat said...

Could I ask a dumb question? Since the GO! comes with a 2 1/2 inch die to cut squares that size, why would you not just do it with that??? Is there a reason you don't use the 2 1/2 inch square cutter to make your squares and choose, instead, to cut them into 2 1/2 inch strips and then turn them and cut them into squares???? Seems like an extra step that way! (Of course, I don't have the cutter yet, so maybe you have discovered the 2 1/2 inch square die doesn't do the job right for you.)

Anonymous said...

Hi Barb...back from the beach and have been missing all the fuss over here about the GO. I've voted.

swooze said...

That cutter looks awesome!

I miss my favorite blog stalker!! LOL!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Nice Go! lesson.

The chicken pattern looks adorable!

PaTcHwOrK jEnN said...

So are diamonds next?

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Ah--you must also be a "chicken" lover--I love chicken things--but just no where to really put many and no where to display the wall hangings --oh--some day when I get my farmhouse,,,,,,,
Hugs, Di

Stephanie said...

It is a great way to speed up the process.

Seams to Sew and Quilt said...

Awesome, I need one...lol some day...

maribel said...

!Muy util la herramienta de corte! y el patron de los pollos chulisismos