If you want a beautiful patchwork, mind the way you cut the fabric. The better cutting tactics result in a perfect piece of patchwork. Today we will briefly discuss some pro tips to help you cut fabric in a neat manner.
- Choose the right fabric
There are various fabrics in the quilting world. Picking the right one is the first step to design an amazing patchwork. From denim to silk – you can pick any fabric you want. But make sure to pick a medium weight of cotton quilts if you are a beginner at the patchwork.
- No prewashing
Though some people may wonder at this point we prefer not to prewash the fabric. An unwashed fabric retains a new essence and texture – extremely favorable for a patchwork. Also, modern cotton fabrics are often made using sizing – the solution applied to the cotton fibers during the weaving process. It makes the finished product a bit stiff. This stability is highly useful for cutting the fabric and a good rinse may wear this away.
Also, prewashing shrinks the fabric and you may expect new quilting cotton to shrink about 10%. This shrinkage may produce an adverse effect on the patchwork.
However, here are a few times when you may consider washing the fabric before cutting:
- If the sizing irritates your sensitive skin
- If you use a mix of vintage and modern fabrics – here the shrinkage rate differs than the prior mentioned rate
- If you are sure that the fabric was made with bleeding dye – here you should wash first, otherwise, other fabrics in the patchwork will be stained.
- No ironing
Usually, when you buy a fabric or use a stored item, chances are that the fabric will be folded. Now the folds may make some marks and creases on the fabric. Here you may want to iron it first before using it.
However, that’s not really a good idea. Rather opt for pressing. Pressing and not hot ironing is ideal to remove the light creases on the fabric. Here’s why. Placing a dry and hot iron on the fabric may ruin the firmness and crispness. That way the entire patchwork will seem old even if you make a new one.
A pressed fabric will look more fluffy and crispy.
- Use the right tools
This is perhaps the most important part. If you are a beginner, you need to be extremely cautious while cutting the fabric. A blunt tool without any measurement tape may result in an unshaped fabric. This will further affect the outlook of the patchwork. Here are a few things you need to cut the fabric properly:
- rotary cutter
- acrylic rulers
- cutting mat
You can join workshops or watch some videos to learn how to use these tools adequately while cutting the fabric.
We hope these cool tips will help you to cut the fabric in the right manner –which is the first step of a decent patchwork. Best wishes.
