THE BASICS OF QUILTING
                             CHAPTER 2
DONNA'S SPEEDY CUTTING SYSTEM
                            by DONNA POSTER

Now that you’re an expert at cutting strips, let’s move on to shaped pieces.  My fast and easy cutting system consists of simply cutting a stack of strips, then chopping stacks of quilt pieces from these strips.

Here are the three basic steps:
     Step 1-Find or create two parallel lines by simply placing your
              ruler on one edge and taping the parallel edge.  Cut strips to
              this width (fig. 3-36).
     Step 2-Place the template over the pattern piece.  Tape as indicated in Fig.
             3-37.  You now have:
          A-Cutting edges.
          B-Taped edges; these will be used to match previously cut edges
             (Fig.3-37)
     Step 3-Use the taped template to cut many pieces from stacked strips
          (Fig. 3-38).
      
1-Choose a template or ruler to fit the shape of the design to be cut. (Pattern must include the seam allowances).
2-Place the template on the pattern, lining up two outer edges of the tool with the pattern. 
   Tape all other pattern sides on the tool with masking tape.  Place the tape around the pattern,  not inside it.  When laying the tape on the template, lean over the table, so you are looking straight down on the pattern.

                     

SPEEDY SYSTEM SPECIFICS
The Speedy system instructions are for cutting multiples of a piece.  To cut single units, tape the template as usual, but instead of starting with a strip, simply cut, rotate, and cut again
(Fig. 3-44).

Cutting circular edges is not quite as neat as cutting straight edges.  Se the smaller rotary cutter and short, choppy strokes.  This allows the layers to ease back in place after each short cut.

At times you’ll need to flip a template over or rotate it (fig. 3-45).  This may seem awkward at first, but with a little practice, it will feel very natural.

This section is basically the same as the above, presented in a slightly different way.

This concludes CHAPTER 2 - Chapter 3  PIECING will deal with a whole host of piecing problems quilters will encounter.

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Fig. 3-36

Fig. 3-37

Taping The Template

Fig. 3-38

Cutting Bias Strips
Using the rotary cutter this method works best of any I have found.

1- Trip end of fabric so it forms a 90 degree angle.
2- Open to single thickness.  Fold cut edge to meet the selvage edge.
3- If length of the diagonal is longer than the ruler, fold upper point down to the lower point.
4- Remove diagonal folded edge trimming from it.
5- Cut the strips of desired width.
6- Sew bias strips end to end, right sides together, using 1/4" seams.

Fig. 3-44

Fig. 3-45