How to Cut Large Shapes for Quilting

How to Cut Large Shapes for Quilting: In many of the most popular Suzy Quilts patterns (Adventureland, Maypole and Sugar POP, to name a few) you need to cut large shapes. Sometimes these shapes are even larger than your ruler and cutting mat! In this tutorial video, I show you how to cut a large square and then sub-cut that square into triangles.
TIP! Before cutting triangles, I use batting tape on the cut lines to prevent my bias edges from stretching. You can also use lightweight fusible interfacing. This stabilized the stretchy bias edges so your quilts are easy to sew together. This is especially helpful if you are a new quilter.
I am cutting this square 37" for the Star Crossed 2.0 pattern, available at suzyquilts.com... on September 14.
My Supplies:
Ruler: amzn.to/464sdej
Rotery Cutter: amzn.to/483PQWp
Measuring Tape: amzn.to/44IiDgc
Marking Pen: amzn.to/3EveFwM
Batting Tape: amzn.to/44JmlGx
Fusible Interfacing: amzn.to/3Ey5oEl

[@marilyng6744]

Thank you Suzy for the very helpful cutting demonstration! The batting tape is a great idea. Bias edges are so challenging. Your cut pieces are so precise! Thank you again.

[@blairseibert1778]

Thanks for this. I"ve been very nervous about big blocks as a new quilter. It's so challenging with the smaller mats! As you were working I remembered that once you have the three sides cut at 90 degree angles you can fold one corner of the fabric towards the other side as if you were making bias tape. Just like you did when you were marking the quarter square sections. I believe that gives you a perfectly perpendicular line and thus an exact square. Love the bias tape add!

[@SuzyQuilts]

Aren't you clever! That's a great shortcut. Thanks for sharing!

[@rebeccamulkern1051]

What a brilliant tip using batting tape! Genius ❤

[@pywagner]

Thank you for sharing the great tip about using batting tape on the bias cuts! I hate doing bias cuts because I know they'll always (for me) stretch! Hopefully this will help me so I can relax about it. 😊

[@hazelem1266]

I only hand sew and hand quilt and I am inexperienced. My pet hate is that I don’t like any joins on my borders or binding, so I tend to buy 3 meter lengths. This means that I have to cut the 4 lengths and fold the fabric. I do manage and it’s very challenging but I have to move the length of fabric twice on my cutting board. I have tried tearing the fabric as I’ve seen other RUclipsrs but it’s never come out right. Do you have any tips? Thank you.

[@SuzyQuilts]

Tearing should work, and keep the fabric on grain. I'm guessing you don't like the slightly ragged distorted edges? Since you want to avoid seams and cut your fabric lengthwise, I think you're doing what's best and folding your fabric carefully a few times so you can cut it on your mat. If you want to fold less, you could get a couple cutting mats and butt them up to each other so your cutting surface is longer. That's an option.

[@hazelem1266]

@@SuzyQuilts Thank you for your response. Perhaps it’s because I tried to tear a 1 1/2 inch length of fabric for a border and it was too thin so it twisted. However, yesterday I accidentally had my small cutting board next to the large one and it cut seamlessly. My husband helped me keep my rulers straight and guided my material so it was very easy. Fortunately it’s the last borders and my binding is already cut and sewed onto the backing. I do follow you on instagram already. I’m not sure why I haven’t subscribed to your RUclips channel yet but I’ve corrected it now. Thank you very much.