Cutting Fabric - Tips and Tricks

This guide provides essential tips for accurately cutting fabric for sewing and crafting projects.

Using a Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat

When using a rotary cutter and cutting mat, avoid rotating the fabric layers. Instead, rotate the entire mat to maintain the fabric’s original position. This prevents layers from shifting or slipping off the pattern.

If using fabric shears, position the fabric on your cutting surface to allow movement around the table. This facilitates easier and more precise cutting.

Proper Cutting Technique for Right and Left-Handed Individuals

Right-handed individuals should always cut from the right edge of the fabric positioned in front of them, while left-handed individuals should cut from the left edge. This ensures optimal control and precision with a rotary cutter or fabric shears. Cutting from the “wrong” side can lead to imprecise pressure and obstructed visibility, hindering corrections during the cutting process.

Lighting for Accurate Cutting

Ensure the light source comes from the opposite side of your dominant hand (left for right-handers, right for left-handers). This prevents shadows and ensures clear visibility of the cutting lines.

Utilizing Pattern Weights

Always use pattern weights (homemade or purchased) and place them close to the edge of the pattern. This keeps the fabric and pattern in place, ensuring consistent seam allowances. Weights placed further inside the fabric will not prevent shifts at the cutting edge. If insufficient weights are available, shift them along the pattern as you cut, always placing them where the cutting is currently taking place.

Efficiently Cutting with Fabric Folds (Stoffbruch)

Traditionally, fabric is folded right sides together with selvage edges aligned, creating a fabric fold in the center. Patterns are then placed along this fold. However, this can be wasteful for small or narrow pieces, potentially creating unusable gaps.

For smaller pieces, consider creating a “new” fabric fold not in the center but closer to the edge. The fold must remain parallel to the selvage edges. To do this, grasp a selvage edge and bring it towards the center of the fabric, roughly the width of the pattern piece. With the fabric still right sides together, position the pattern, including seam allowances and grainline, to fit within this adjusted fold. This method conserves fabric, leaving larger usable pieces after cutting.

Avoiding Multiple Fabric Folds for Cutting

When cutting fabric that requires multiple folds for a compact size (e.g., for loops or limited table space), be cautious. Folding fabric multiple times can cause layers to shift, resulting in uneven cuts after unfolding. This is particularly problematic for slippery fabrics, leading to inconsistent widths and an unprofessional finish. It is advisable to fold the fabric only once for such projects.