Helpful Tips

Free to you. This Tips page is a new addition to the QuiltersB website.

Over time, it will grow. You will learn more. I will enjoy posting.

Accuquilt die storage is primary.

If you are starting at the beginning with your Accuquilt cutting system, it's helpful to have guidance. My QuiltersB website provides that guidance and encourages you to take our classes. The tips on this page are at no cost to you. If you would like to invest in you and take the Accuquilt for Beginners class, it is found on the Education Calendar page of this site. Classes are on Zoom: real classes with real people in the comfort of your sewing room. You can register for the beginner class by clicking here.

Stand dies upright.

Accuquilt sends us Qubes with die shapes standing on edge. Continue to store them on edge, even if they are stored outside the boxes. Often a bookcase helps; or store them on a table as seen on the left, between bookends.

Easy Access

Making the dies easily accessible is helpful. If on a shelf, they are available for quick use when cutting shapes for quilt blocks. Store with the labels where they can be read so you can find what you need quickly.

Save the blades.

The die blades will live a long time when the dies are stored on their edges. Piling them as in the photo eventually damages the blades. You don't want that. You're investing hard earned money in your die collection. Store your dies on edge.

Make your permanent marker your friend.

Marking Your Dies #1

This tip will save you hours of time. Each time you purchase a Qube, first remove the cellophane. There is no monster inside the Qube. It is a friendly beast with lots of power. It is a marvelous tool for your creativity. Honest.

Next. Grab your permanent black marker. On the edge of the dies, mark the number for your Qube. If it is an 8" Qube, write the number 8. If it is 6", write the number 6. If it is a 4" Qube, write 4. And so on. Why?

Marking your dies will (1) keep you from getting the shapes mixed up with another Qube; and (2) help you put your dies back into the grouping where they belong when you are done.

Trust me. These little tips will keep you organized when cutting and piecing. They will also shave hours of time because you won't be searching all day for that one die you need. So, grab that marker and get busy.

Remember. These tips and more can be found in my Accuquilt for Beginners class. Simply click here to register for a class between now and December.

Marking Your Dies #2

These tips are suggestions. I have learned over time that saving time meant telling my brain to stay focused.

I remind myself to position my rough cuts correctly by marking around the die shape with a quarter inch line. That means my fabric rough cut needs to touch those lines. Then I'm sure the blades are covered.

I write my rough cut on the die so I don't have to measure the shape every time. I add an arrow that is parallel to the label so I know where the length of grain is. And I draw an X for use with fussy cutting. Let me tell you up front that those marks on the die make a huge difference when cutting. They keep me on track.

The biggest reminder? By adding that 1/4" line around the shape, it makes me lay the fabric on the die at the angle of the blades. That in itself is so important. Always cut on length of grain and at the angle of the blades.

Next Accuquilt for Beginners class:

Sunday, September 13 and 20, 2-5:00 Central Time

What is a rough cut?

Whenever we pull a piece of fabric from our scrap bag to cut with our die, it is called a rough cut. The fabric can be cut with scissors or a rotary cutter.

Most important is making sure that piece of fabric covers the blades on the die. Often my rough cuts are uneven. No problem as long as they are big enough to cover the blades.

Take your ruler and measure from one blade to another. Add 1/2" to that measurement for the minimum size square or rectangle of fabric. Much depends on the shape you are cutting.

In the photo, I'm cutting a 4 1/2" square. You can see the rough cut is 5" x 5", and yes, I write that on my die. Notice how the fabric is angled with the blade. We will talk about length of grain in my next tip.

Remember: all these tips are covered in the Accuquilt for Beginner class. Pause and take a look at the class dates and what it offers. Click here.

Die Care Tip: Foam Issue

We already talked about the importance of storing dies on their edges. I am expanding on that tip here to make another suggestion. I wish I had known this or thought about it before shoving my dies onto the shelf.

It is important to slide the foam of one die into the shelf against the green plastic of the die next to it. Otherwise, the foam of two dies can catch on each other. Then there's a problem.

Note how my foam pulled back when I pushed the foam on two dies to the limit. I panicked. But no problem. I glued the foam with an adveshive glue like Elmers or Gorilla Glue, etc. taking care not to get glue on the blades. I've done the same on the corners of other dies.

No need to throw the die away. No need to call Accuquilt. Let it dry and the die will be good as new. I often set a clapper or a book on top as it dries. The die is good as new.

Remember: check out the classes I offer on this QuiltersB website. Follow the links below. Take a look. More classes are added everyday.

Click here for a description of many current classes.

Click here for a list of current classes.

You might also be interested in joining the very safe Accuquilt Learning and Support Facebook page. Click here to check it out.

Consider registering for my Accuquilt for Beginners class. Simply click here and choose a date.

Strip Die Chatter

Cutting strips on a strip die requires a little preparation. Understand that cutting strips is very much the same as cutting strips with a rotary cutter. I lay my yardage out on my cutting mat and cut a section of fabric, selvage to selvage, that I will lay on my cutter.

That means we will measure our die from blade to blade. The 2 1/2" strip die measures 7 1/2". I add another 1/2" to that measurement for my rough cut, figuring 1/4" on each side of the blades. In the photo, I just cut an 8" rough cut piece that is 42" selvage to selvage.

What I am introducing here is an exception to the lengthwise of grain rule. Mark this down so you remember. All strips are cut width of fabric not length of grain. That's correct. Honest.

Removing the selvage

So many of my tips I have learned from trial and error. Those I share with you because my goal is to save you time and trouble. This photo shows you how I trim the selvage before I cut my strips on a strip die. Why?

Those selvages are often woven tighter and thicker than the yardage. When I layer six layers of fabric with the selvages on, I often end up snipping the selvage with my scissors because they didn't cut. It gets frustrating.

Taking the time to grab my scissors and do all that snipping takes extra time away from when I can be sewing and using those strips for binding or borders. On the six layers of strips, take off the selvage and know you will get a clean cut.

Besides, sometimes the selvage has good information on it that you will want to save. Why save it? In case you need to order more of that fabric, you have the name of the fabric, manufacturer and number for reorder.

Register for my Accuquilt for Beginners class and get a complete foundation in all things Accuquilt. Build your confidence. Click here to register.

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