This is a tool known as the Precision Trimmer. If you do not have one, run out to your local quilt shop, or log on to your favorite Internet quilt supplier and get one right away. Do not delay, do not pass Go, just get one.
I do not know how I existed without this device for so long. It was this summer, when my friend Lisa mentioned in passing, "You DO use the Precision Trimmer, don’t you?" Now, Lisa is a woman who presses all her seams open for goodness sake, so of course I listened. In fact, I think I may have pretended to know exactly what the Precision Trimmer was and may have actually murmured something about having one and using it often. Lisa is an extremely careful and accurate quilter and I shamelessly copy most of what she does, because I want to be as good a quilter as she is. So, I went out and bought the Precision Trimmer.
Here is one way I use this tool when making Hour Glass Blocks:
My goal is to square up these blocks to a perfect 3 1/2 inch measurement. Place the tool over your block, lining up the diagonal lines along your seam lines and making sure the diagonal lines oppose each other perfectly at the center. I like to double check to be sure that the corners of the tool line up exactly at the seam lines as well.
Holding the plastic ruler firmly in your left hand, use your rotary cutter to trim off the right hand and top measurements. If you are a lefty, just reverse the hand and direction.
Rotate the block around 180 degrees, lining up the sides you just trimmed on the left and at the bottom with the 3 1/2 inch line on the tool. The diagonal lines on the tool should still line up just right at the corners and at the center point. Now, holding the tool firmly with your left hand, use your rotary cutter to trim the right side and top again.
Now all four sides have been trimmed, and you should have a perfect 3 1/2 inch hour glass block, with center right on and corners lined up with your seam line.
16 Responses
Oh, thank you for sharing this tool. I have quite a few cutting ‘templates’ but not that one. That MIGHT make the difference for me. I’m not much more than a beginner at quilting, having done garment sewing for many years. I need all the tips and tricks I can get. Your work is so beautiful that I only hope this new tool will be just what I need to be able to show off a quilt or two sometime in the future. First I have to get back to work on them – and then FINISH something! ~Adrienne~
I love these little tutorials that you are doing. Just seeing the photos and having the words to walk us through it all is great. Very nice. And, thanks.
BTW, I was hoping you were going to play the Thursday’s Favorites Fare list once the New Year started…LOL…didn’t you mention something about that? You can make your own categories…it’s a lot of fun to read everyone’s lists and I have gotten lots of ideas of new things from those lists we all post. Come on and play with us…Thursday’s Favorite Fare next week? I will keep my fingers crossed…and hope you have some quilting list categories! West coast favorites will be fun to learn about! Like Fish Tacos…we don’t have those here…WHAT are those?
Oh yes, I NEED that! Lol* So glad you shared! 🙂
Now that’s a tool I need! I’ve never seen one but I’ll be looking now. I have a rotating mat that would work perfectly with it.
Nicole its good when you explaine things with the photos it makes it easy for me to follow as I am just a learner I am going out today to try and buy one of those. thanks for the info.
Hugs Mary.
Thank you Nicole…I had that in my drawer…I needed it for a class one time and then forgot about it…well I’ll be using it all the time now. Thanks!
I just love gadgets, don’t you? I have so many that sounded great at the time, but I never use them. This, however, is a gem. Gotta get me one! Thanks for the heads up.
Great! Another ruler I have to have. Thanks. LOL!
Well this is definitely another ruler I have to invest in. Something I need. Thanks for showing this and thanks to Lisa for insisting that you get it.
Funny thing you should talk about this trimmer. I have looked at these on Marsha McCloskey’s sites several times over the years and finally decided a couple of weeks ago to order both of them and the other ruler she sells that you can use to cut the half of a half square triangle when you screw it up or you are trying to get some out of a smaller piece of fabric than usual. You are right, they are definitely helpful in measuring. Her site is http://www.marshamccloskey.com if you can’t find them anywhere else.
What a nifty tool !
You know………..I believe I have one of these in my quilty items area of the sewing room. LOL!!! I just may have to use it.
Oh, yes, I’m certain I need that tool. It’s the only ruler I don’t have. Thanks. LOL!
That Precision Trimmer is definitely the best thing since sliced bread! I certainly *strive* for perfection, but don’t look too closely!
I have to say that the precision trimmer is one of the best gadgets you can get! BUT… you have to remember you have it, LOL. Thanks for the reminder!
I have heard about the Precision Trimmer many times, but I haven’t paid much attention to it until NOW! Thank you for the wonderful tutorial once again, Nicole! I NEED that, I’m ashamed to say! I want to be as good a quilter as Lisa when I grow up! With this gadget, I’m on my way! Not to growing up, though – I don’t think that’s ever going to happen!! LOL!