Using Pre-Cuts

Ever heard of layer cakes, jelly rolls, and charm packs?

image from sew4home.com

These pre-cut packs contain coordinated pieces from one fabric line and come in many different options.  Layer cakes are 10" squares, jelly rolls are 2 1/2" x WOF (width-of-fabric) strips, and charm packs are 5" squares.  Many companies also package fat quarters into bundles.  Many current patterns call for pre-cut packs, which is convenient for several reasons:

1. It "cuts" down on cutting time, so you can get right to the fun part. . . sewing and piecing!
2. It's an economical way to collect many different fabric lines; if you buy one charm pack or jelly roll, you get a little piece of each fabric in the entire line!
3. It simplifies color coordination because the colors are already coordinated for you!

If using a pre-cut, you should NOT pre-wash the fabric, which would distort, misshape, or wrinkle the fabric.  Sometimes, you may need to trim the pre-cuts to a smaller size.  Heather Mulder Petersen, a designer and publisher of quilt patterns who loves to use pre-cuts, has a multitude of tips for using pre-cuts at her blog, Anka's Treasures.

Would you like to learn to use pre-cuts and complete a project within a couple of hours?  If so, come to Tooele County Quilt Guild's September 18 meeting (9:30 a.m.).  Janine Manzione, one of our very first quilt guild members, will be teaching us how to make a table runner.  Be sure to bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies to the meeting.  Print and review the instructions here:  McCall's Quilting.

See you there!