
8 Awesome DIY Organizers: Sewing Organizer Tutorials
Bonus: Get our newsletter & special offers for free. We will not share or sell your email address. View our Privacy Policy
How to Cut Fabric: Tips and Tricks
Cutting fabric straight may seem intimidating, but our fabric cutting guide full of tips will make it a much easier feat!

There is no anxiety sewists dread more than the anxiety that comes when you are snipping away at your precious fabric. The saying "measure twice, cut once" is there for a reason.
If you cut your fabric incorrectly, it can ruin a project and it can cost you a ton of money.
That's why we have this quick guide on How to Cut Fabric. This resource is going to provide you with the basics of cutting fabric for sewing and more.
Fabric is not cheap and if you do not know how to cut fabric properly, it can do some serious damage. It is even harder to learn how to pin and cut a pattern on the fabric.
You have to cut your fabric to match your piece, ensure that your print is going the right way, and make sure that you cut the right side facing out.
Stressed out yet? Don’t worry, sewists. That’s why we are here yet again to help you out. This sewing guide is going to give you the top 5 things you can do to cut fabric perfectly every single time.
For more sewing inspiration, sign up for our e-newsletter!
How to Cut Fabric
- Prepare your fabric: Make sure your fabric is ready to cut before you even thinking about figuring out how to cut fabric for your projects. That means washing (if you are making a wearable).

Also, pressing your fabric to destroy any wrinkles. Pressing is essential for keeping your fabric flat and ready to cut.

There is a lot to keep in mind when preparing your fabric, but we're here to ensure that you know everything you need to know before you get started. This page, Sewing for Beginners: Tips for Pressing Fabric, offers all the information you need. Read it here: Sewing for Beginners: Tips for Pressing Fabric
- Make sure your tools are ready: If you cut fabric with a dull blade or pin it with a dull pin, it is going to do a lot of damage. You want something that will snip the threads in your fabric precisely and not something you have the saw at.
Want to learn how to cut fabric straight with a rotary cutter? Watch this video below and learn more with our guide, How to Use a Rotary Cutter and Mat.
This page, Self-Healing Cutting Mat Care, is all about caring for your sewing companion. As with all of your quilting tools, regular maintenance will ensure your cutting mat stays in tip-top condition and that you're getting the most for your hard-earnt dollar. >>> Self-Healing Cutting Mat Care
- Match your selvages as closely as possible: Oftentimes when you are cutting fabric, your pattern will indicate to fold your fabric in order to trace several pattern pieces at once. Ensure that your selvages are aligned perfectly. Depending on what you're making, you may need to cut fabric on the bias.
NOTES:
Bias (n.) - The direction diagonal from the direction of the fabric. The stretchiest part of the fabric. Cutting on the bias means to cut at a 45-degree angle.
Selvage (n.) - The self-finished edge of your fabric, AKA your best friend when it comes to learning how to cut fabric perfectly!

Need to know more terms? Enhance your knowledge of sewing terminology with this Glossary of Sewing Terms! If you are just starting to learn how to sew, you may find yourself stumped by the new, confusing words used frequently in sewing tutorials. Take a look and bookmark it today: Glossary of Sewing Terms
- Listen to your pattern/read the pattern thoroughly: This might seem like a no-brainer, but it is so important. Patterns are written and created by experts. They are labeled to give you the best project necessary. Most projects will have directional arrows on them that will indicate the direction of the pattern. Make sure these are parallel to your selvage.

Always read through the full pattern, notes, and review any images before starting. Learn more with our guide on How to Read a Sewing Pattern.

- Double check before you do anything: So, you have read your pattern, measured your fabric, pinned your pattern, and you are ready to go. The next step is to start cutting, right? NO! Now is the time to double check everything. Lay out your pieces and look them over. Is everything in its place? If so, snip away! If not, good thing you double-checked.

Bonus Fabric Cutting Tips!
- When using fabrics with prints like stripes or plaids, or fabrics like velvet or corduroy, you should buy extra.
- If cutting around pins makes you doubt your accuracy, try using a rotary cutter and fabric weights instead!
- Always use a dry iron on your pattern to rid it of creases. You don't want a wrinkly pattern to be your guide!
Did you cut a pattern wrong and now you don’t know what to do with that fabric you “wasted”? Check out our 30 Simple Sewing Projects to Use Up Your Scraps
Up Next
How to Make a Sewing Pattern >>
Do YOU have any tips for cutting fabric? Share with us in the comments!
Free projects, giveaways, exclusive partner offers, and more straight to your inbox!
Tags / Related Topics
Your Recently Viewed Projects
Images from other crafters


KLC
Dec 04, 2019
This is a helpful guide! It's so important to cut fabric correctly when sewing and this will help me feel more confident when I do.

Report Inappropriate Comment
Are you sure you would like to report this comment? It will be flagged for our moderators to take action.
Thank you for taking the time to improve the content on our site.
Project of the Day
One-Hour Water Bottle Bag
Sustainable water bottles help you stay hydrated and help you avoid having to purchase bottle after bottle. Plus, with water by your… Continue reading: "One-Hour Water Bottle Bag"
What's Hot
- How to Add a Pocket
- How to Make a Pattern
- How To Add Magnetic Snaps To a Bag
- How to Choose the Best Fabric for Skirts
- How to Make Fabric Labels at Home
- Fitted Face Mask Pattern
- Easy Lined Zipper Pouch Sewing Tutorial
- Know Your Skirts Guide [Infographic]
- How to Fix Runs in Tights
- How to Let Out Pants

Something worth saving?
- SAVE all your favorite patterns
- ADD personal notes
- QUICKLY reference your patterns
Our Newest Projects & Articles
- Fabric Easter Egg
- Diy Baby Blanket With Self Binding Border
- Mini Backbag
- Make A Baby Cheater Quilt
- Diy Book Cover In 10 Minutes
- Making Continuous Bias Binding Tape
- Knotted Hair Ties
- Diy Pom Pom Bunny
- Fab Floral Face Mask Tutorial
- Olive Blouse Review
Free eBooks
- 11 Free Vintage Patterns: How to Sew Retro-Inspired Clothing for Ladies
- 11 Sewing Room Ideas: How To Organize Your Room
- 15 Sewing Patterns for Women's Dresses & Other Pretty Project
- 25 Sewing Crafts from Bloggers
- 9 Insanely Awesome Sewing Ideas: How to Sew a Pillow, DIY Home Decor, and More
- Designer Inspired Sewing: 9 Beautiful Designer Inspired Knock Off Patterns
- Fabulous Fabric Flower Tutorials: 7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
- Sewing for Baby: 11 Small Sewing Projects for Your Little One
- Sewing For Beginners
- Simple Sewing Projects: 16 Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners