Fussy Cuts! Time to fussy cut those cute little snowmen.  Or frogs.  Or butterflies.  Or whatever you're fussy cutting! I asked you to wait for fussy cutting directions for a reason.  These aren't just going to be your ordinary, average, everyday fussy cuts.   These are going to be fussy cut fussy cuts!  In other words, we're going to take special care to cut these out in a specific way.

November 09, 2001

Here's a reminder of the sizes available for this Mystery Quilt (MQ):

The approximate quilt sizes for the 3.5" fussy cuts are:

• Small - 46" x 46"
• Medium - 46" x 59"
• Large - 72" x 72"

The approximate quilt sizes for the 4.5" fussy cuts are:

• Small - 59" x 59"
• Medium - 59" x 76"
• Large - 93" x 93"

Note: The approximate quilt sizes given above includes two borders; one large and one small. Of course, the quilt size can be adjusted by varying the border sizes, the number of borders, or leaving the borders off completely.

At this point, you should definitely know which size you're going to make.  Refer to the chart below to determine how many fussy cuts you need for the quilt size you are making.  Regardless of the size of the fussy cut itself, the number needed for each size quilt is the same.  In other words, you will always need 13 fussy cuts in making a small quilt, etc.

SPECIAL CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Each fussy cut is to be cut on-point.  Refer to the two examples below.  The one on the left is correct; it is cut on-point.  When you fussy cut on-point, you place your acrylic ruler (I use a 6.5" square ruler) on the motif (picture or fussy cut part) in a diagonal manner. The one on the right is the way a regular fussy cut is done and, in this case, is incorrect.     Compare the two examples below.

Notice that the on-point cut looks "crooked" when looking at it straight on.  You have to angle your head in order for it to be "straight" looking.  This is correct.  :)  Also, note that the measure of your fussy cut is from one side to the other, not from point to point.   So, in the left example above, from the left side of that square to the right is 3.5".  If I were to measure it diagonally, it would be approximately 5"... but we aren't measuring it diagonally.  :)

Cut out the number that you need for the size of quilt that you are making.  Each of my fussy cuts, in the example above, are 3.5" square and I'm making the small quilt as a Christmas wallhanging/table topper gift.

Stay tuned for the cutting of Block 1!