Step One: Pre-Wash
The first step after choosing your fabric, is always to pre-wash it and iron while still damp. Remember to wash dark colors separately, especially navy blues and reds.

(Note: many quilters prefer NOT to wash their fabrics before quilting - they want to retain the crisp hand and special finishes. It is O.K. to skip this step if you are not planning on washing the quilt at some future time. (It may be a wall quilt you prefer to dry clean.)

Step Two: Read Your Instructions. Then Read Again!
Read your quilt pattern through from beginning to end before starting your project. Take a look at the diagrams in your pattern, and check how the quilt blocks are placed together.

Read the instructions carefully. Have seam allowances been included? Are the pattern pieces actual size? (Or have they been reduced?). All of these questions should be answered before you even begin tracing or cutting.

Step Three: Making Templates
If your pattern pieces have been reduced, the very easiest way of enlarging them is on a xerox machine. If the instructions say that the pieces are 50% of actual size, you can easily enlarge them 200% on a xerox machine.

Measure the templates you've been given. Once you have determined that your pattern piece is the correct size, you may begin making templates.

You'll be tracing the pattern pieces onto clear plastic template material, cutting the plastic pieces out, and using them as a guide to cut out your fabrics. Use a permanent marker to mark the name of the block, the total number of pieces you will need to cut out and the letter of your pattern piece.

Add 1/4" around all sides of the template, as shown here. This is your cutting line. Lay the template on the wrong side of your fabric, and, using a pencil or fine point fabric pen, trace around the outline. When you have traced around all sides, you may wish to measure in 1/4" from cut edge and trace again. This will be your seam or sewing line. One common mistake beginners make is forgetting to add the seam allowance ON ALL SIDES of the pattern piece. A one inch block, for instance, with 1/4" seam allowance added on all sides, turns into a 1-1/2" template.

Step Four: Cutting
Accurate cutting is essential for good results. Modern quilters have resources not previously available to them, such as rotary cutters. The rotary cutter has a changeable blade so that it is always sharp. It is usually used with a cutting mat and a see through ruler (remember your supply list?). Although the rotary cutter is a great tool that you will use later, for these beginning lessons, USE SCISSORS.

Cutting, Step One
Fold your fabric in half, selvedges together, with the wrong side of the fabric facing up. Take one of your templates and use a pencil or fabric marker to trace around the shape of the template. Then cut your pattern piece out, several layers at once.

Cutting, Step Two
Begin cutting out the rest of your quilt block pieces, but DO NOT CUT ALL YOUR FABRIC IMMEDIATELY. Just cut enough to enable you to sew one block. By sewing one block first, you will be sure that you have measured and cut correctly. When you have cut out all your pieces for one quilt block, continue on to our next class, Quilting 104: Your're Ready to Begin Sewing.