Cutting question

[Gerri d.]

In the 10 things you need to know, t'was mentioned about ripping the fabric lengthwise.... You didn't mention how many strips of the SASHING we should rip- I don't want to cut the letters before I have my strips for the sashing on the LW grain....[been there, know the consequences!!!]... Flange was mentioned, that is for the binding?
Also, the little star applicay on the F template, is it the one to use in all the blocks?

[Janet S.]

I recommend tearing the strips for the border first into 4 - 9 1/2" strips, and the flange (which should have been listed as lime green, not yellow) into 8 - 2" strips. I don't think I tore the strips for the sashing, since it is so narrow. I just cut those. Yes, the lime green flange goes just inside the binding. There will be a smaller star applique that will be used in some of the other letters, but the one with the F pattern will also be used again.

[Gerri d.]

Thanks Janet_ We Should cut the sashing lengthwise, yes? Should we cut them all first, before cutting the letters... Guess i need to know what the length of the dark inner borders are....?

[Lorna B.]

So the light blue border is the 9.5" and the lime green is 2".

[Gerri d.]

That sounds right, Lorna.... I'm concerned about the dark inner border- I'm using the same fabric for my alphabet, so don't want to not have enough length-wise strips without a lot of piecing.... I'm not even going to cut the flange or outer border yet- I'm using my stash for the patchwork blocks, so didn't buy all the yardages.

[Janet S.]

The lengths of the sashing vary, but the longest length is 66 1/2", and those are the 2 strips that go vertically between the whole center section (A thru Z) and the light blue borders. You'll be cutting a total of 4 sashing strips, 1 1/2" x 45 1/2", that are the horizontal sashing strips that are above and below the sections of A thru J, and below the sections of K thru O, and T thru Z. Those are all the longest lengths of sashing, and the rest will be shorter, but vary in length. Hope that makes sense, and hope it helps!

[Janet S.]

So the light blue border is the 9.5" and the lime green is 2".

Lorna, that's what the strips are torn at, but they will be trimmed down later to a more exact size.

[Gerri d.]

Thanks,once again Janet!!! Yes, those are the measurements I was looking for.
I have 2 yards of my dark fabric and want to make sure that I have the long lengths cut before I cut an applicay from the length I need! Would it be a good idea to rip just those 4 long strips?

[Janet S.]

If you have enough fabric, you could rip them at 2". I like tearing long fabric lengths, because you know the grain will be straight, but you do lose a slight amount when tearing. All the sashing is a cut size of 1 1/2", to finish at 1".

[Gerri d.]

Thanks Janet.... I think I'll try the ripping.... just for those 4 strips

[Janet N.]

The previous discussion is about the sashing and that leads to my question about the outer border. It looks like the sashing and outer border is the same fabric. I am using the fabric kit (#10). Should we also set aside appropriate size strips for that outer border at this time. Thanks so much for all your help.

[Janet S.]

The previous discussion is about the sashing and that leads to my question about the outer border. It looks like the sashing and outer border is the same fabric. I am using the fabric kit (#10). Should we also set aside appropriate size strips for that outer border at this time. Thanks so much for all your help.

The sashing fabric and the outer border fabric are different. The outer border fabric is #26, the black with polka dots, and the sashing fabric is the same as the applique letters, #10, black confetti. The only place the black polka dot fabric (#26) is used is in the outer border. Happy quilting!

[Irene F.]

Well, typical me, I went head first into cutting what I thought as the border fabric (actually tearing it) from the black polka dot fabric #26, having 4 x 9 1/2" strips. Now I can see that that fabric is used for the outer border. Thank goodness I still have the blue border fabric untouched. Somewhere I missed the measurements for the outer border. How many strips do I need for the outer border from #26, black with polka dots? Hopefully I can salvage my mistake. Thank you. Irene

[Janet S.]

Well, typical me, I went head first into cutting what I thought as the border fabric (actually tearing it) from the black polka dot fabric #26, having 4 x 9 1/2" strips. Now I can see that that fabric is used for the outer border. Thank goodness I still have the blue border fabric untouched. Somewhere I missed the measurements for the outer border. How many strips do I need for the outer border from #26, black with polka dots? Hopefully I can salvage my mistake. Thank you. Irene

Irene, you should be fine. The black polka dot border is only 3" wide finished, so you should be able to cut your 9 1/2" strips in half lengthwise, and have plenty. And if I recall correctly, you'll need a total of 8 - 3 1/2" strips to use for the black polka dot border.

[Irene F.]

Whew!. Looks like I dogged a bullet. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I know I should read twice and cut once, but I was so anxious to get started. Thanks again. Irene