TIPS FOR USING PRECUTS

TO WASH OR NOT TO WASH

Manufacturers of precuts recommend that you don’t wash them. With that in mind:

• If you are using other fabrics with your precuts, don’t wash that fabric either. It’s best to use either all washed or all unwashed fabric in your quilts.

• If you think a fabric might bleed, test it by getting part of it wet, then press it between 2 pieces of white fabric. If you see any traces of color on the white fabric, the fabric you are testing will bleed when washed. If this is the case, you can not use that fabric or use a Shout Color Catcher when you wash the quilt.

HANDLING PINKED EDGES

Many precuts have pinked edges to prevent them from fraying. When working with them:

• Measure your pieces so you know exactly how big they are. Trim them to the needed size if necessary.

• When sewing pinked edges together, line up the outer edge or top of the peak with your other piece of fabric.

• When working with another piece that isn’t pinked, put the pinked edge on top.

USING PRECUT 2½˝ STRIPS FOR BINDING

The 2½˝ strips are perfect for creating a scrappy binding. To calculate how many strips you’ll need, determine the length you need by measuring the outside edge of your quilt and adding 16˝, then dividing the total by 40˝. Sew the ends together at an angle, and bind.