Castro Quilt QAL
Week 2
Week 2 Goals:
Cut all Fabrics.
Press Ribbons.
Post your cuts (bonus if they’re labeled!) on Instagram!
Cutting Fabrics
Before you begin slicing up that beautiful fabric, consider some prep steps to ensure you get the most accurate cuts! Here are some things to consider before you get started:
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Prewashing Pros:
• Prewashing can help to remove any dyes from your fabric - especially fabrics that are rich in hue!
• Prewashing can shrink fabrics so that they are all uniform in size. This is great if you are not a quilt crinkle fan!
• It can help to remove any super stubborn wrinkles and creases in the fabric.
Prewashing Cons:
• It can take forever - especially when you’re eager to get started.
• Prewashing will shrink your fabric, which may result in less fabric than required for the pattern. Castro Quilt doesn’t have too much leeway in terms of fabric requirements!
• You’ll lose out on that delicious extra crinkle that washing a finished quilt can provide.
• (I’m team no prewash if that makes any difference to you!)
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• In short, no. It’s not required. HOWEVER, starching your fabrics before you cut can help to ease out any stubborn creases or wrinkles in the fabric which will allow for a crisper and more accurate cut. Also, because the small blocks in the Castro Quilt are cut on the bias (meaning, diagonally across the grain of the fabric, rather than on the grid of the grain), it is a bit more prone to warping from the exposed edges. Starching will act like a glue of sorts to help keep it from pulling and shifting.
• I use Best Press Starch Spray (NOT an endorsement - just what I use) and it helps a lot. If you’re sensitive to smells, it may be helpful to get an unscented version because WOW is it fragrant!
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I would highly recommend pressing your fabrics before you begin.
“BUT, SARAH, WE ARE ONLY GOING TO PRESS THE RIBBONS AGAIN IN THE NEXT STEP.”
Yes, yes, yes… I know. Yes, it can take some time. Yes, it can be annoying. But pressing out any wrinkles can ensure that your fabric lays flat against your cutting mat and isn’t bunched or wonky. It’s worth it, friends!
On to the Cutting!
Now that your fabrics are ready - let’s get slicing! Make sure you have your cutting mat, a fresh blade on a rotary cutter (changed carefully!), and your ruler. The rulers I use the most for big strip cutting are my 6.5” x 24” ruler - this ensures I can cut a folded Width of Fabric (WOF) with ease. If this is what you’re using - great! Just be sure to hold your ruler firmly (a handle grip can help), and be careful to not jump the ruler while you cut!
If you have one available, or have been thinking about upgrading, I highly recommend a Stripology XL ruler (not a paid endorsement, just what I use!). This is a slotted ruler that allows you to cut fabric (WOF folded four times over) at regular intervals. It has 1/2 inch markers and can make cutting a lot of strips a breeze! Watch this video to see it in action!
TAKE CAUTION as you cut your Background strips. WOF is a minimum of 42” and subcuts cuts are 10 1/2”. You will get exactly (4) 10 1/2” cuts from (1) 42” WOF.
Don’t forget to label!
Use the labels located at the back of the pattern to help keep yourself organized! You will thank yourself later!
Pressing Ribbons
To make matters simple, let’s press all of our ribbon cuts all at once! Be sure to separate out the Large and Small Block ribbons.
I like to use a tailor’s clapper after I press to ensure my ribbon pieces lay as flat as possible. Check out this quick video demonstration to see it in action!
Post on Instagram and Giveaway Details
Post a picture of your fabric cuts this week!
Post on your Instagram account by Sunday, 5:00pm PST to be entered to win the weekly giveaway. Be sure to use the hashtags #CastroQAL and #CastroQuilt, and follow @CottonAndJoy and @PasadenaQuiltStudio to be entered. If your account is private, please send me a screen shot to my DMs of your post so I can count you in! Winner will be announced on Monday on my Instagram.
The Week 2 giveaway prize is open to all. This week’s prize will be winner’s choice of two patterns from Cotton and Joy and a gift card from Pasadena Quilt Studio!
