creative grids
creative grids Turn-a-Round™
The Original NON-SLIP Ruler
®
Curves for Rectangles
creative grids Turn-a-Round™
The Original NON-SLIP Ruler
®
Creative Grids® USA, Inc. 400 W. Dussel Dr. Ste B, Maumee, OH 43537 419.893.3636 www.creativegridsUSA.com
Curves for Rectangles is one of a range of rulers that make cutting gentle curves from squares and rectangles simple and easy. These curved squares and rectangles can replace these traditional shapes in any pattern to create a sense of movement for a dramatic effect. Features Non-Slip Embedded Gripper Strips. Designed by Karla Alexander
#CGRKA2
Made in USA
Curves for Rectangles Karla Alexander created the Creative Grids® Curves for Rectangles ruler to be used with her books (Color Shuffle; New Cuts for New Quilts; and Stack a New Deck) and her patterns. This multi-purpose tool cuts rectangles in half diagonally – with a curve. Use the Curves for Rectangles Ruler with light and dark fabrics – pieces from your stash will make a fabulous scrappy quilt. The finished size of the block – with a diagonal curve cut – will be 1" less than the cut size of the rectangle. A 7" x 9" rectangle, for instance, will finish to 6" x 8". The Curves for Rectangles Ruler is designed to cut curves from 4" x 5"; 4 ¾" x 6"; 5 ½" x 7"; 6 ¼" x 8"; 7" x 9"; and 7 ½" x 10" rectangles. The ruler features a straight seam allowance incorporated into the design so the points will match when the Curves for Rectangles blocks are sewn together into a project.
Cutting Diagonal Curves: 1. Cut an even amount of light and dark fabric rectangles. (Choose from 4" x 5"; 4 ¾" x 6"; 5 ½" x 7"; 6 ¼" x 8"; 7" x 9"; and 7 ½" x 10" rectangles.) Neatly layer them – RIGHT SIDE UP, ALTERNATING THE LIGHT AND DARK FABRICS – into a "deck" of fabric rectangles. Start with any amount of rectangles, as long as there is an equal mix of light and dark fabrics. To insure accuracy, cut no more than six rectangles at one time.
2. Center and place the ruler over the rectangles, aligning two adjoining sides of the fabric rectangles with the corresponding markings on the ruler. Cut along the curved edge of the ruler – cutting the fabric deck in half on the diagonal. 7" x 9"
3. Remove the ruler from the cut fabric deck. Pick up the top layer of fabric on the right and place it on the bottom of the stack, so that the light and dark fabrics alternate. 4. Before moving the "shuffled" pieces, use a chalk marker to draw a diagonal line through the center of the shuffled pieces. Use scissors to make a tiny snip in the chalked edge of each of the pieces to use as registration marks. When sewing the pieces together, pin the registration marks together. Sewing Curves: 5. Place a dark and a light fabric half – right sides together. Carefully pin the curved edges together at each end and in the middle, matching the snipped registration marks. 6. Sew the curved edges together with a scant ¼" seam. If the edges do not align, lift the presser foot (keeping the needle in the down position) and carefully adjust the edges until they align. Repeat this step as necessary, sewing a few stitches at a time. Use a stiletto to help direct and position the fabric. NOTE: To aid in sewing the curves, place a 1” strip of “Sewing Edge” by Alicia’s Attic exactly 1/4” away from the needle of the sewing machine. The tape helps align the two edges of the fabric curve, making it easier to sew. Pressing the Curve: 7. Place the block – right side up – on the ironing board, pressing the seam toward the dark fabric. This seam is sewn on the bias so press by using an up and down motion to prevent stretching and distortion of the seam. Clip the curves if necessary. If the fabrics have not been pre-washed, using steam may shrink and distort the blocks. Squaring up the Blocks: 8. Square up the block with a Creative Grids® Square (a 9 ½" square will work for all of the rectangles). When squaring up the rectangle, place the diagonal line on the square on the seam line of the rectangle. This diagonal line should match the seam line for at least ¼". This ¼" straight angle guarantees that the seams will match when the squared up rectangles are sewn together. Trim two adjoining sides.
Other Possibilities:
9. Flip the rectangle and trim the other two sides. All of the rectangles must be trimmed to the same size for each project. Tips: • Practice cutting the curves on some scrap fabric to get comfortable with angling the rotary cutter. • Make a practice block before beginning your project. • Use a 45 mm rotary cutter with a sharp blade. • Prewash your fabrics so no distortion occurs when pressing curves. • Spray starch fabric before cutting to prevent distortion. • Use a scant ¼" seam allowance. • Sew with a needle down position.
The red diamond is made by cutting half the rectangles in one stack right side up and with the second stack of fabric wrong side up.
The Original NON-SLIP Ruler
®
Curves for Rectangles
creative grids Turn-a-Round™
The Original NON-SLIP Ruler
®
Creative Grids® USA, Inc. 400 W. Dussel Dr. Ste B, Maumee, OH 43537 419.893.3636 www.creativegridsUSA.com
Curves for Rectangles is one of a range of rulers that make cutting gentle curves from squares and rectangles simple and easy. These curved squares and rectangles can replace these traditional shapes in any pattern to create a sense of movement for a dramatic effect. Features Non-Slip Embedded Gripper Strips. Designed by Karla Alexander
#CGRKA2
Made in USA
Curves for Rectangles Karla Alexander created the Creative Grids® Curves for Rectangles ruler to be used with her books (Color Shuffle; New Cuts for New Quilts; and Stack a New Deck) and her patterns. This multi-purpose tool cuts rectangles in half diagonally – with a curve. Use the Curves for Rectangles Ruler with light and dark fabrics – pieces from your stash will make a fabulous scrappy quilt. The finished size of the block – with a diagonal curve cut – will be 1" less than the cut size of the rectangle. A 7" x 9" rectangle, for instance, will finish to 6" x 8". The Curves for Rectangles Ruler is designed to cut curves from 4" x 5"; 4 ¾" x 6"; 5 ½" x 7"; 6 ¼" x 8"; 7" x 9"; and 7 ½" x 10" rectangles. The ruler features a straight seam allowance incorporated into the design so the points will match when the Curves for Rectangles blocks are sewn together into a project.
Cutting Diagonal Curves: 1. Cut an even amount of light and dark fabric rectangles. (Choose from 4" x 5"; 4 ¾" x 6"; 5 ½" x 7"; 6 ¼" x 8"; 7" x 9"; and 7 ½" x 10" rectangles.) Neatly layer them – RIGHT SIDE UP, ALTERNATING THE LIGHT AND DARK FABRICS – into a "deck" of fabric rectangles. Start with any amount of rectangles, as long as there is an equal mix of light and dark fabrics. To insure accuracy, cut no more than six rectangles at one time.
2. Center and place the ruler over the rectangles, aligning two adjoining sides of the fabric rectangles with the corresponding markings on the ruler. Cut along the curved edge of the ruler – cutting the fabric deck in half on the diagonal. 7" x 9"
3. Remove the ruler from the cut fabric deck. Pick up the top layer of fabric on the right and place it on the bottom of the stack, so that the light and dark fabrics alternate. 4. Before moving the "shuffled" pieces, use a chalk marker to draw a diagonal line through the center of the shuffled pieces. Use scissors to make a tiny snip in the chalked edge of each of the pieces to use as registration marks. When sewing the pieces together, pin the registration marks together. Sewing Curves: 5. Place a dark and a light fabric half – right sides together. Carefully pin the curved edges together at each end and in the middle, matching the snipped registration marks. 6. Sew the curved edges together with a scant ¼" seam. If the edges do not align, lift the presser foot (keeping the needle in the down position) and carefully adjust the edges until they align. Repeat this step as necessary, sewing a few stitches at a time. Use a stiletto to help direct and position the fabric. NOTE: To aid in sewing the curves, place a 1” strip of “Sewing Edge” by Alicia’s Attic exactly 1/4” away from the needle of the sewing machine. The tape helps align the two edges of the fabric curve, making it easier to sew. Pressing the Curve: 7. Place the block – right side up – on the ironing board, pressing the seam toward the dark fabric. This seam is sewn on the bias so press by using an up and down motion to prevent stretching and distortion of the seam. Clip the curves if necessary. If the fabrics have not been pre-washed, using steam may shrink and distort the blocks. Squaring up the Blocks: 8. Square up the block with a Creative Grids® Square (a 9 ½" square will work for all of the rectangles). When squaring up the rectangle, place the diagonal line on the square on the seam line of the rectangle. This diagonal line should match the seam line for at least ¼". This ¼" straight angle guarantees that the seams will match when the squared up rectangles are sewn together. Trim two adjoining sides.
Other Possibilities:
9. Flip the rectangle and trim the other two sides. All of the rectangles must be trimmed to the same size for each project. Tips: • Practice cutting the curves on some scrap fabric to get comfortable with angling the rotary cutter. • Make a practice block before beginning your project. • Use a 45 mm rotary cutter with a sharp blade. • Prewash your fabrics so no distortion occurs when pressing curves. • Spray starch fabric before cutting to prevent distortion. • Use a scant ¼" seam allowance. • Sew with a needle down position.
The red diamond is made by cutting half the rectangles in one stack right side up and with the second stack of fabric wrong side up.
