The Helen QAL Week 2 - Cutting Your Fabric

Welcome to Week 2 of the Helen Quiltalong! I hope you’re excited to dive in — this week is all about cutting your fabric. If you’re still finalizing your selections or waiting for an order to arrive, don’t stress — you can cut as you go or catch up later. 

✂️ A Quick Progress Note

If you’ve ever started cutting fabric and thought, “Hmm… this one’s not quite working,” you’re not alone. I often realize mid-cut that a fabric doesn’t quite fit the feel I was going for. Don’t be afraid to adjust as you go! Even if a print looked perfect in the pull, it might not be the right choice once it’s in the block.

📐 Cutting Instructions

Feature Fabric

The Helen Quilt is super flexible — you can use fat eighths, fat quarters, or scraps.

If you’re using precuts (fat eighths or fat quarters):

• Follow the cutting diagrams in the pattern for your chosen quilt size.

• Take your time and cut carefully!

If you’re using scraps:

• Check the “Scrap Option” section of the pattern.

• You’ll be cutting triangles for the star points and rectangles/squares for the block units.

• Make sure your scraps are large enough for the listed subcut sizes, and keep variety in mind!

Background Fabric

If you’re using yardage:

• Cut your WOF (Width of Fabric) strips first, then subcut into the rectangles and sashing pieces as shown in the pattern.

If you’re using scraps or low-volume pieces:

• Don't worry about cutting WOF strips and just cut the total number of pieces listed in the pattern.

🧵 Cutting Tips

• Make sure your rotary blade is sharp! Dull blades = frayed edges and inaccurate cuts.

• Press your fabric before cutting — it really does help.

• Cut in batches if a full session feels overwhelming.

• If you’re using directional fabric, double check your angles before cutting star point triangles.

📣 Share Your Progress

I’d love to see your stacks of cut fabric (or your in-progress chaos 😅).

Tag @kitchentablequilting and use #thehelenqal so I can see and share your posts!

🗓️ Instagram Live Reminder

Join me on Tuesday at 1pm PT over on Instagram Live! I’ll be answering your questions about cutting, fabric swaps, and anything else you’re curious about. Can’t make it live? No problem — the replay will be posted afterward.

Next week we’ll start piecing the blocks — get excited!