Friday, January 15, 2010

How I Fussy Cut

I've had a couple questions about the best way to "fussy cut" I-Spy squares.  This is how I do it!

First I cut a "window" out of a piece of cardstock.  I cut it slightly larger than I want each cut square to end up -- my cut size will be 4" x 4", so I cut my window 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".  (I used my rotary cutter and ruler to cut my cardstock, which is a no-no because it could dull the blade!  Shhh!)



I place my window over each motif I want to cut out and trace the window with a permanent marker.  I then roughly cut around each square with scissors and use my rotary cutter and ruler to cut it down to 4" x 4", thereby eliminating all evidence that I used that permanent marker.  It adds a few steps, but it is worth it to get those little guys centered!

6 comments:

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

This is a great and simple way to fussy cut. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Great idea! Thanks for sharing your secret!

Anne said...

Great advice!! This is how I fussy cut as well.

I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-fussy-cutting-with-precision-using-a-window-template/2010/01/15/

--Anne

catt410 said...

what a great idea :)

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

This is one of those things that has me smacking the side of my head and thinking about all that wasted time. Thanks so much for the light bulb over my head. =) I'll be linking to this.

Brandi said...

That is such fun fabric! I love the idea of an ispy quilt! I hope you do it again! And now that I follow you, I would be able to participate! :)