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Quilting instructor Johanna Felberbaum discusses one of her favorite quilting techniques, fussy cutting for quilt blocks.
Do you love fabric? Of course you do, if you’re a quilter. Well this technique is ALL. ABOUT. THE. FABRIC.
If you’ve never heard of fussy cutting, you’re in for one of the coolest discoveries known to the modern quilter. And traditional quilters, too!
What is fussy cutting?
Fussy cutting is quite charmingly exactly what it sounds like. You intentionally cut out very specific pieces from your fabrics to draw focus to the image or text on the textile.
When you’re choosing your fabrics, make sure they:
- Have an interesting element or image to hone in on
- Are scaled so that the image fits in the space on your quilt block
What to look for:
- motifs you love
- distinctive patterns
- shades that fit into your color scheme
- design elements that fit your quilt project’s overall theme
How to fit pieces into your quilt block:
- Make a template. You can use acetate or a sheet protector – anything transparent – and trace the shape from your quilt block pattern onto the clear material.
- Audition your fabrics. Pass the template over the shades, images or text in your textile to see if anything of interest fits in the shape.
- Cut the fabric around the template to include a seam allowance for sewing the shape into your quilt block.
This quilting technique is very well executed when used in conjunction with the foundation paper piecing method.
A fussy cut block may be the splash of color in a quilt. Perhaps you replace one block in a larger project with a fussy cut one to catch the eye.
However it is most often the center focus of a project, such as a journal cover, a tapestry, a place mat, or a baby blanket.
Fussy cutting is a popular technique amongst other types of creatives, such as scrapbookers and collage artists as well.
What kind of project are you thinking of fussy cutting for? Share with us in the comments section!
Want to test and keep FREE a fresh set of fabric for delicate Quilts in exchange for your feedback? Learn more here now
I enjoyed the video. Thank you.
Love the instructions for fussy cut
I made a quilt like this
Comes in handy for potholders and pouches. Even bibs for the new arrivals.
Beautiful way to fussy cut
Nnot secided yyyet but tbhois provexdd an excellent opportunity for me to learn more methods forr quilting and o love the finizhed designn for A book cover.
I like it very much
very pretty love the print you chose also
Thank you for taking the time to
make this tutorial
That is about the same way I cut out my quilt pieces. That is the only way I cut out my quilt pieces.
Very interesting will probably try it great idea thanks
I did that with butterfly material yesterday but before I seen this. Wow much easier. Love it.
I had mad a book cover in school, years ago, no knowing what I was doing. Now I know, thank you, that wad fun.
I had mad a book cover in school, years ago, no knowing what I was doing. Now I know, thank you, that wasfun.
Did this with Irish chain
Never heard of this technique, nor thought of it. WOW how clever and fun TKS.
Very interesting
I thoughly enjoyed the video on fussy cut. Thank you for presenting that.