Precision in Petals - Welcome to episode 2 of the The Tulips Bloom quilt series. In this episode we are talking about cutting your fabric and getting it prepped for making the half square triangles.

I talk about different ways of cutting your fabrics. I love to use the Stripology Ruler by Gudren Erla, this is one of my favourite rulers - actually it is my favourite ruler, and I use this most days. I have added the link below if you wanted to go and check out Gudren’s website.

GE Quilt Designs – GE Designs

I also show how to cut out your squares using a normal straight ruler. Both ways are super easy.

When you are starting out on your quilting journey, you don’t need lots of fancy equipment. You will need a good size cutting mat, a rotary cutter and a straight edge ruler. I do like the rulers by Creative Grids as they have a nice grippy finish on the underside of their rulers, however there are lots of different brands out there, and you will find your favourite brand to use. I have listed the equipment that I like to use below with affiliate links.

When you start to cut your fabric I would recommend that you press it first - now you may have noticed in my video that I haven’t done that - living and working on a narrowboat means that I have to generate my own electricity and when I use an iron I have to run an extension lead from the main boat to The Little Boat, start the engine on the main boat, and have it running at high revs, so I do tend to cut corners as it can be a pain to sort all that out when I want to just simply cut some fabric.

The first demonstration in the video shows you how to use the Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler, and how simple it is to create perfect cutting and squares.

The second demonstration in the video is using a straight ruler, and again I have popped the affiliate link below. The one in the video is a 6.5” x 24” ruler that I have used, however you can use a smaller ruler if that is what you have.

Take care in folding your fabric before you cut into it. When you cut your first strips make sure that you have the selvedge edge at the top of your cutting mat, and then fold the fabric up to that edge. It doesn’t have to sit flush against the selvedge edge. I normally fold mine up to the start of the selvedge so I can see it.

Once you have cut your strips then carefully turn the fabric around so that the strips are horizontal and they are straight. You can now start to cut your 4 inch squares. I like to use my ruler as a guide, and not the lines on the cutting mat. I line up the 4 inch marker on the left hand side of the fabric, and then make sure that the fabric is in line with the markings on my ruler at the top and 4 inches below. Now you are ready for cutting. Once you have cut your first square then remove that, and move the ruler along, and repeat.

By taking care at this stage you will thank yourself later on by cutting precise squares.

All of my patterns have lovely little tick boxes throughout the pattern, so when you are cutting out your fabrics, you can tick off the ones that you have cut. This means if you get interupted part way through cutting, you know exactly where you have gotten up to.

Check out the items featured in this video and discover more great finds through our affiliate links below! Your support helps us create more content you love.

Creative Grids Stripology Ruler XL - https://amzn.to/3XnFwpj

Creative Grids Ruler 6 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches - https://amzn.to/3VwpkPM

Olfa Deluxe Rotary Cutter UK - https://amzn.to/3KKiwtb

Don’t forget there is a playlist for this series and if you subscribe to my YouTube channel you won’t miss an episode.

I hope you enjoyed this video and I would love to hear how you are getting on with cutting out your Tulips Bloom quilt.