LUDLOW QUILT AND SEW
Cut Patchwork Blocks
How to cut patchwork blocks safely
So now we've chosen the block and are ready to cut out the patchwork pieces.
The instructions here are for cutting with a rotary cutter, though obviously you could cut with scissors if you prefer.
A word of caution: the blades on the rotary cutters are very sharp. Do remember to keep your fingers out of the path of the cutter. I have been told to keep my shoes on when I'm cutting in case I drop the rotary cutter, but I find that one a bit difficult. I prefer being barefoot.
Your fabric will come as a length of several yards, or whatever you bought, with a width of around 42" or 43". Generally it is folded in half along the length so that you have a width of about 21" to work with. 
I find this width too long to cut comfortably, so I fold it along the length again. The fabric is now 10" or 11" across the width with the fabric in 4 layers.
Line up the top of the fabric across one of the lines on your cutting mat. It is unlikely at this stage that the right hand edge of the fabric will line up with one of the lines on the mat: you will almost certainly have to trim the edge to straighten it.When you are satisfied that your fabric edge is straight, move the ruler across to the left by the amount you need. In this case for the Beginner Quilt, I am cutting the 4.1/2" squares, so the ruler is moved 4.1/2" to the left from the edge.
Line the ruler up with the markings at the top and at the bottom of the mat and with your left hand press down firmly on the ruler. Try and have your body forward so that your hand is pressing down rather than slightly forward. This stops the ruler sliding. I've never tried this, but I've been told that if your ruler does tend to slide across the fabric when you are cutting, a couple of dabs of nail varnish mixed with salt on the underside of the ruler will provide some grip.Double check that you don't have any fingers sticking out beyond the ruler and place your rotary cutter on the mat just below the bottom of the fabric (the end nearest you). Always cut away from yourself.
While you have the fabric lined up, it is usually easiest to keep going and cut several strips. I don't usually cut all the strips required at the same time because I find it makes my left shoulder ache from pressing down on the ruler.
So now you have cut several strips of fabric 4.1/2" wide by 42" long. To cut these into 4.1/2" squares, lay the strip across the mat, line up the top edge against one of the lines on the mat. First trim the selvedge (the edge of the fabric which is a bit coarse and has the fabric name on it) and then cut the fabric at 4.1/2" intervals.
To cut the triangles, repeat the process above but cut 4.7/8" squares. Cut these along the diagonal to make 2 triangles from each square. If you line the square up with one of the diagonal lines on the cutting mat, your cut will be more accurate.
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rose@ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk
www.ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk