Old Capitol Quilt Guild
October Meetings
Morning Meeting - October 13, 2025
Evening Meeting - October 16, 2025
Chris Ann welcomed us to our guild meetings.
Blog
Tafta Watson shared some information about our blog.
You can access the blog by going to this address:
oldcapitalquiltguild.blogspot.com
On our blog, you will find a recap with pictures of our guild meetings for each month. Items will include announcements, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques, Block of the Month, Show and Share, along with fun and humorous items or stories.
We are always looking for suggestions. Send them to box423@gmail.com or talk to Tafta.
Check out our newest blog entries.
Service Projects
with Arlene Bartholomew
It has been said that quilters are some of the most giving people. That is true of the members of our quilt guild. Not only are you generous with your time, talents, and quilts, but you are also always willing to bless those around you in other ways.
This year, Arlene is asking us to open our hearts, purses, and pantries for two different projects.
1. School Snacks - Sadly, some students in our schools are hungry when they are at home. Their parents are doing the best they can, but they often do not have enough money to buy snacks or even basic food for their children. We can help by donating items.
These items will quietly and privately be given to the students at school. Many students do not want others to know they are getting food from school, even if they need it.
We will have a box at the She Shed for donations. This project will continue throughout the year. Here are some of the items they could use.
- Individual crackers
- Pudding cups
- Applesauce packets and cups
- Fruit cups
- Fruit leather, individually wrapped
- Canned soups
- Individual Mac & Cheese
- Top Ramen
- Jerky sticks
- Tuna, Vienna Sausage, and other canned meats
- Individual cookies
- Individual chip bags
- Individual cereal
- Oatmeal packets
- Pop tarts
- Peanut butter packets
- Cup of Soup packets or Cup of Noodles
- Cereal bars
- Individual trail mix
- Individual nuts
- Other individually wrapped items
- Money so the schools can buy items to give to the students.
Some of our older veterans are in care facilities or hospitals. We have been asked to partner with the Veteran Center near Payson. They cannot afford to buy items for themselves or gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or other special occasions. They could use soap, hygiene items, gifts to give to family members, and other items. A list will be given to us shortly. When we get it, we will share it.
Thank you, precious quilting angels. We know we can count on you to open your hearts, purses, gift stash, and pantries. You are wonderful and we love you!
Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
Accuracy in Cutting
with Karen Jordon
ACCURACY IN CUTTING
1. Why do I get a bend in my strips when cutting?
2. My fabric stretches when I am cutting.
3. I have creases in my fabric stash - how do I get rid of them?
Question #1
Fabric is likely not folded on grain. Start by refolding fabric:
1. Press center fold out
2. Fold in half, aligning selvedges
3. Check for wrinkles, smooth them out, pressing again, as necessary
4. Line up the fold with a horizontal line on cutting mat (with fold closest to you)
5. Bring the selvedges toward the fold, keeping it straight (the fabric now is four layers thick)
6. Using a large square ruler, line it up on the fold closest to you, about 1” from the left edge (if right-hand dominant).
7. Butt a rectangular ruler (6x12 or 6x24) against the square ruler, overlapping the fabric edge. Keeping the long ruler steady, remove the square ruler.
8. Spread fingers out on the remaining ruler to keep it steady. Be sure to keep fingers away from the cutting edge.
9. Place rotary cutter blade against the side of the ruler, just below the fold.Begin rolling the blade before reaching the fabric, pushing away from you.
10. Reposition the hand , as necessary, to keep the ruler steady. Be sure not to move the ruler or the rotary cutter. Resume cutting until strip is cut. Lift the bulk of fabric away from the cut to ensure all layers are cut through.
11. Do a test cut to straighten the edge; shake out the piece just cut and check the cut edge for straightness, particularly where the fabric was folded.
Question #2
Fabric is not being cut on grain.
1. Warp = least stretch; Parallel to selvedge.
Weft = minimal stretch; Perpendicular to selvedge (90* right angle)
Bias = most stretch; 45* to selvedge
2. Follow steps above to ensure the fabric is laid out on-grain
3. Ripping fabric will give a straight edge to measure from. Downside is the fraying and strings, some fabrics don’t rip as well as others; upside is an on-grain edge to use when measuring. This is most usually used for wide quilt backings and long borders. To accomplish: cut approximately ½” from edge through the selvedge then rip.
Question #3
Press, Press, Press
Use Best Press*; Flatter*; or copious amounts of sprayed water. Realign fabric to ensure it is straight.
Do a test cut as in point 11 under Question #1.
Directional Fabrics
Directional fabrics - including stripes and many fabrics that seem to be printed in random manner but actually have motifs arranged in straight or diagonal rows. These are rarely printed on grain. Following the rules in this case will result in the motifs seeming to fall off the edge. To avoid this problem, fold and square up the fabric using the motifs as guidelines.
It is NOT recommended to use directional fabrics for borders or backgrounds.
Equipment/Physical Space
● Rotary Cutter
○ Choose size according to job
■ Small=good for curves and notches
■ Large=good for strips and multiple layer
○ Be sure it fits comfortably in your hand
○ Keep the blade sharp, or change it often
● Rulers
○ Use established brands - more accurate (Olfa/Fiskars/Creative Grids/Omnigrid)
○ Ruler should give a clear view of the fabric beneath.
○ When measuring, put the measurement line ON the fabric, not just butted up against it.
○ Stabilize the ruler (sandpaper strips, weights, suction handle, first aid tape)
● Cutting Surface
○ Be sure the cutting surface is steady. Give it a shake. If it moves, see if it can be stabilized by tightening screws, pushing it tightly against a wall, etc
○ Surface should be tall enough to keep your elbow at slightly more than a 90* angle when cutting. You shouldn’t have to bend over to reach the table.
○ Check the surface for hills and valleys. If it is not flat, it will cause difficulty in trying to get a straight cut.
● Mat
○ Longest size should measure at least 24”
○ Is it still flat?
○ Store away from heat (radiator/sunlight)
○ Store flat
○ Choose a good name brand (Olfa/Fiskars/Creative Grids/Omnigrid).
● Stance
○ Stand with shoulders back - let the arms hang from the shoulder blades
○ Pull in abs - like you were zipping your pants
○ Put one foot slightly ahead of the other. Stand just to the side, so when your arm goes forward, it is in a straight motion.
○ Start rolling the blade just ahead of the fabric edge
○ Shift weight forward and push the blade straight through
○ Arms = Power; Hands = Guidance; Wrist is straight, not bent. Be sure Power & Guidance extend beyond end of fabric.
○ If you must adjust your hand, stop at the fingertips. This ensures there is still pressure between ruler and blade. Walk fingers up the ruler, press down and continue cutting.
Final Thoughts
● Crisp fabrics are easier to cut. Use a spray starch or sizing to make your fabrics stiffer.
● It’s rare there is ever a need to measure anything in microns. Understand accuracy has its limits.
● When squaring up quilts, it is acceptable to cut twice. First cut to remove most of the excess fabric/batting; second cut to make it square.
● Use a ruler that allows a clear view of the fabric underneath. Some rulers can obscure the fabric with colored dots, too many competing lines, etc
● Accuracy in cutting takes practice. It also works hand-in-hand with sewing straight and a really good ironing technique.
Reference Materials:
The Final Stitch with Natalie: Cutting Tips for Yardage & Precuts (Episode 5) (You Tube)
-Missouri Star Quilting
Quick Rotary Cutter Quilts by Pam Bono (Book)
The Quilter’s Quick Reference Guide by Candace Eisner Strick (Book)
How to Cut Straight (You Tube) Karen Brown of Just Get it Done Quilts
Block of the Month
"Baskets"
with Suzanne Hillestad
This is going to be a fun Block of the Month project.
Use whatever material you would like.
The blocks will be different sizes. They can be put together with
compensating blocks or other fun blocks. You get to choose.
Show and Share
Morning Guild
Ellen Harmon displayed her lovely quilt, which she made using the blocks she made during our Summer Quilting Day. At the Summer Quilting Day, everyone made the same block using the fabric of their choice. Ellen's quilt is large and beautiful.
She displayed it during both the morning and evening guild meetings.
Evening Guild
After our usual items, Jana Whicker had a special activity, making paper quilt blocks. She cut out the paper pieces for everyone using her Cricut.
Here are pictures of some of the blocks we made.
Thank you, Jana. You are amazing!
We had Show and Share and ate refreshments while we were making our paper blocks!
What a delightful time!
Everyone had a good time creating their paper blocks.
Valene and Janet made this delightful Let It Snow quilt.
Once There Was a Snowman . . . or two.
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