That Quilt Along Week 2 {Cutting your fabric}

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Sneak peek of what's ahead...

I'm posting the upcoming week's instructions a day early because of Blogger's Quilt Festival tomorrow.  Are you participating??  You should!  It's tons of fun!

Are you ready to cut into your beautiful fabrics?  Don't be scared... 

I used to have major anxiety about cutting fabric but a few simple tips will cut down any nervousness:

1. Get acquainted with your ruler, your mat, and your rotary cutter.  Try cutting a few pieces with fabric that doesn't matter.
2. Measure twice. Cut once. Take your time! Before you go cutting ALL your fabric; cut enough for one block and make sure your pieces are right.
3. If you make a mistake... breathe. Most mistakes can be fixed.

We are going to be making 40 blocks.  Originally I had planned on 42 blocks but several members of our quilt along sent me emails saying that their charm packs only had 40 squares.  So 40 it is. :)

For the inner border around your charm square:

1. Take your 1 yard of white {or neutral} fabric and cut it into strips that measure 44" x 1.5".  You should be able to get 24 strips out of your 1 yard.
2. From these strips, take 10 of them and cut 80 5" x 1.5" rectangles.
3. From the remaining strips, cut 80 7" x 1.5" rectangles

For the outer border of your square:

1. Take your 2 yards of your solid color fabric and cut it into strips that measure 44" x 2".  You should be able to get 36 strips from the 2 yards.
2. Take 12 of these strips and cut 80 7" x 2" rectangles.
3. Take 10 {oops} 20 of the remaining strips and cut 80 10" x 2" rectangles.

Cutting fabric for a quilt is probably the most tedious part of the process.  Take your time because we have all week.  If you have any questions or would like more detailed instructions just email me, comment here, or post in our Flickr group.

It's not too late to join either!  Here is the link to Week 1... :)