I sew just inside the ends of the fringe cut. I measure it under the needle, then use masking tape or some sort of seam guide for sewing the entire quilt. Yep, the seams are 1"+ to do that, but if you sew within the fringe, you will have holes in your quilt at the seams. The batting cut for this block is 6"x6". and the seams should be just along the edge of the batting squares. That's another way to figure out where to sew. Hope this helps!
Great video...the needle nose pliers do work great! Just cut my first squares and was somewhat anxious about all the threads left on the die. Thanks so much!
Thank you for the demonstration, I am using my die for the first time but with cotton. So the threads aren’t much of a problem. I was cutting my batting at 7” so I will try the 6” instead.
CLEANING THE DIE - if you can't see how I am cleaning the die at the end of the video, go to full screen. On my computer anyway, and bit of the top part of the video is cut off. Full screen shows the entire video. For most of this video, that's no big deal, but when I show how to clean, that's all at the top where it's cut off.
Thanks Judy, I truly do appreciate your reply, had already subscribed & look forward to more Accuquilt education. It's double + that communication is possible.
I just bought the 8 1/2 Rag die. I cut 10 Flannel squares 2 at a time as directed. I had to stop because the threads were clogged up all around the outside edge. I felt like a dentist cleaning teeth. It took an hour to pluck & pluck. I think you should tell everyone that if you use FLANNEL you will spend more time plucking at the die than you will be cutting. Also the Die which is mind you 24 hrs old looks like I had it for years. The plastic mat also is chewed up as well. I am Disappointed in this die for cutting flannel and if I had known I would not have invested in this die. :(
I ordered this die on recommendations to use with my Big Shot Plus. It is a little wide. I am going to bring it to a local cabinet maker to trim a little off each side. If that doesn’t work out I am just out the $70 Otherwise it is worthless to me. I will make sure to keep the angle skewed. If anyone has a better idea I would love to hear it.
I have found it is VERY IMPORTANT to place the fabric squarely on the die face do not be tempted to save fabric by cutting it the same size as the die blades that does not work the cutters are off set I assume to the fabric is cut on the Bias? I think it is important to have some waste I have found a 10 inch wide (or square) works best yes there is some fabric waste but so what it's more important to have a good cut for a good finish and any scraps can be used for stuffing in say a cushion so nothing really goes to waste. With my Rag Die enclosed was a "pick" (the sort of thing a dentist uses) to scrape fabric threads from the cutting blades
Hi Judy! Thanks so much for posting this video. It's really helpful and now I feel more confident about using this die. I've had it for over a year and haven't used it yet! I have a general question about AccuQuilt dies that I can't seem to learn the answer to anywhere....why are these dies slightly "tilted" to one side? It seems counter-intuitive not to lay the fabric out in a straight line on the die casing. Why are the die patterns slightly askew? Thanks again for your post.
+Seattle1951 --Hi Seattle, I'm originally from Tacoma. Anyway, they talk about why the fabric must be skewed as it enters the roller area on the Accuquilt website. As I recall it's because it prevents the fabric from scooching when enters at an angle . If enters blunt edge, there's a greater chance for it to bunch up. You can find the answer for sure on the website for Accuquilt. Anne in South Texas.
For me, I think I'd rather skip making these than deal with using needle-nose pliers to pick. That's just gross in my book. I'd rather use rotary cutter but just in case that is more difficulty, I'll skip making this kind of quilt & I thank her for offering this video. It's just as important to explain what's worth avoiding as any other point.
211ssw - I agree about videos being good to see if this is a good tool or a not so much tool. I do the same. At the time I made this video the process for these types of quilts was to sew first, cut second. For many, me included, cutting that much with scissors is not an option. But what these pre-cut rag squares show is that they are as easy to sew together after they are cut as they are before. Cutting with the rotary cutter is now a very good option. Thanks for the comment.
Thank you for making this video. Your tips for how many layers of fabric and how to clean this die was so helpful.
I sew just inside the ends of the fringe cut. I measure it under the needle, then use masking tape or some sort of seam guide for sewing the entire quilt. Yep, the seams are 1"+ to do that, but if you sew within the fringe, you will have holes in your quilt at the seams. The batting cut for this block is 6"x6". and the seams should be just along the edge of the batting squares. That's another way to figure out where to sew. Hope this helps!
Great video...the needle nose pliers do work great! Just cut my first squares and was somewhat anxious about all the threads left on the die. Thanks so much!
thank you, I too had stopped making rag quilts because of the endless snipping of the edges. I am going to purchase this die asap.
This was great! Thank you! I haven’t used mine yet and the added tips are very helpful!
Thank you for this video. I was not sure what to do with the die set slightly on the bias, now I know what to do.
Thank you for the demonstration, I am using my die for the first time but with cotton. So the threads aren’t much of a
problem. I was cutting my batting at 7” so I will try the 6” instead.
Thank you, I am sold. You did a great job of explaining.
CLEANING THE DIE - if you can't see how I am cleaning the die at the end of the video, go to full screen. On my computer anyway, and bit of the top part of the video is cut off. Full screen shows the entire video. For most of this video, that's no big deal, but when I show how to clean, that's all at the top where it's cut off.
Thanks Judy, I truly do appreciate your reply, had already subscribed & look forward to more Accuquilt education. It's double + that communication is possible.
I just bought the 8 1/2 Rag die. I cut 10 Flannel squares 2 at a time as directed. I had to stop because the threads were clogged up all around the outside edge. I felt like a dentist cleaning teeth. It took an hour to pluck & pluck. I think you should tell everyone that if you use FLANNEL you will spend more time plucking at the die than you will be cutting. Also the Die which is mind you 24 hrs old looks like I had it for years. The plastic mat also is chewed up as well. I am Disappointed in this die for cutting flannel and if I had known I would not have invested in this die. :(
+Carol Clouser Hi Judy! Thanks so much for posting this video
Thank you 😄🌺
I ordered this die on recommendations to use with my Big Shot Plus. It is a little wide. I am going to bring it to a local cabinet maker to trim a little off each side. If that doesn’t work out I am just out the $70 Otherwise it is worthless to me. I will make sure to keep the angle skewed. If anyone has a better idea I would love to hear it.
I have found it is VERY IMPORTANT to place the fabric squarely on the die face do not be tempted to save fabric by cutting it the same size as the die blades that does not work the cutters are off set I assume to the fabric is cut on the Bias?
I think it is important to have some waste I have found a 10 inch wide (or square) works best yes there is some fabric waste but so what it's more important to have a good cut for a good finish and any scraps can be used for stuffing in say a cushion so nothing really goes to waste.
With my Rag Die enclosed was a "pick" (the sort of thing a dentist uses) to scrape fabric threads from the cutting blades
Hi Judy! Thanks so much for posting this video. It's really helpful and now I feel more confident about using this die. I've had it for over a year and haven't used it yet! I have a general question about AccuQuilt dies that I can't seem to learn the answer to anywhere....why are these dies slightly "tilted" to one side? It seems counter-intuitive not to lay the fabric out in a straight line on the die casing. Why are the die patterns slightly askew? Thanks again for your post.
+Seattle1951 --Hi Seattle, I'm originally from Tacoma. Anyway, they talk about why the fabric must be skewed as it enters the roller area on the Accuquilt website. As I recall it's because it prevents the fabric from scooching when enters at an angle . If enters blunt edge, there's a greater chance for it to bunch up. You can find the answer for sure on the website for Accuquilt. Anne in South Texas.
Thanks for your reply!
I was wondering how far in do you sew? I made one and just did not know where to sew it. Is it 1 inch in from the fringe end or what?
Can i use heat and bond on die
Could you just vacuum the die to clean?
THe threads get really stuck down into the blades on any of the Accuquilt dies. Vacuuming doesn't even move them! So it's pick them out instead!
I use a lint roller
For me, I think I'd rather skip making these than deal with using needle-nose pliers to pick. That's just gross in my book. I'd rather use rotary cutter but just in case that is more difficulty, I'll skip making this kind of quilt & I thank her for offering this video. It's just as important to explain what's worth avoiding as any other point.
211ssw - I agree about videos being good to see if this is a good tool or a not so much tool. I do the same. At the time I made this video the process for these types of quilts was to sew first, cut second. For many, me included, cutting that much with scissors is not an option. But what these pre-cut rag squares show is that they are as easy to sew together after they are cut as they are before. Cutting with the rotary cutter is now a very good option. Thanks for the comment.