Many folk find a problem getting a neat edge when in the hoop quilting so try this little trick of mine
find a nice short see through child’s rule, the six or four inch ones are great for this.
RIGHT HANDERS
Place the rule, next to the sew line and then fold the fabric back over the rule. this action will lift the fabric up a little and away from the hoop backing. hold the fabric down with left hand fingers. Now use the surface of the rule as a base and cut along the fabric with the scissors at a slight right angle to the rule. the scissor point stays on the rule and the sharpness of the scissors will allow you to slice through the fabric neatly and cleanly.
With a little practise you will soon get that nice 1/4 inch edge
LEFT HANDERS
Do the same thing as explained above but lay the rule against the sew line UNDER the fabric. This lifts the fabric up just that little and away from the backing Then with the fabric held down by the fingers on the right hand slide the point of the scissors along the top of the rule at a slight left hand angle.
In each case you can see clearly what you are doing.
TIP.... sew a straight stitch on scrap material and practise the folding back and cutting till you get the angle of the scissors just right to give you that 1/4 inch allowance.
also a nice big car sponge or a book can also be placed under the hoop to support the fabric in the hoop if its removed from the machine.
I hope this will help you. Annie in the UK
PS the word rule is correct. English teacher informed us in the UK class that " There is only one RULER and that is the Queen. The measuring device is a RULE. "
A sharp rap on the knuckles with a rule made sure I never ever forgot that one.
And finally a lesson to improve my language skills- one of the many reasons I show up here so often.
Love it! Thanks.
Hugs Lenamae
1. COD (Concise Oxford Dictionary - 1969) In one and the same lemma it states 'rule - graduated often jointed straight measure used by carpenters, etc., hence carpenter's rule.' and 'to rule - make parallel lines across paper with ruler or mechanical help'. That was not much help.
2. So I got my Collins English Dictionary. That gives for 'rule - any of various devices with a straight edge for guiding or measuring; ruler (a carpenter's rule}'. And gives for 'ruler - also called rule - a strip of wood, metal or other material, having straight edges graduated usually in millimetres or inches, used for measuring and drawing straight lines'. Hee hee.
3. Then I took my Webster (1983) and that states 'rule - a strip of material marked off in units measuring or ruling off lengths' and for 'ruler - a smooth-edged strip of material (as of wood or metal) that is usually marked off in units (as inches) and is used as a straightedge or for measuring'. I gather you Yanks can also use both according to you Webster. Hee hee.
