This week is all about cutting your fabrics. It seems straight forward, it's just cutting fabric, right? This design is not dependent on evenly cut strips, but they do need to be cut straight. Check out my handy videos for my tips and technique on doing this. As always, email or comment if you have any questions.

Cut all of your fabric in lengthwise strips (from selvage to selvage). Ensure that all your ends are straight. There is no prescribed width to the strips, they are all random widths. Mine ranged from about 1.5 inches to 3 inches, but I didn't measure at all. From each 1/2 meter (yard) of fabric I would aim for 8-10 strips.

Once your fabric is cut you will get a better idea of how the fabrics work together. If any are jumping out at you as not playing nice with the others now is the time to replace them. For example, I'm not so sure about the one for mine that is second from the left in the top photo. It might be too light. But I haven't decided yet. It isn't a light, light one. In the photo below you can see the one third from the right that is lighter. I doubted that one and kept it in to great effect.

Next week will be sewing the strips and pressing. Yes, pressing. In the meantime, put a fresh blade in your rotary cutter and cut away.

If you are quilting along with me please let me know. I would love to be able to share your work with everyone else. I'm going to add a blogroll of participants on the site. If you don't have a blog then you can also link to a Flickr photostream. And speaking of Flickr, is there an interest setting up a group for the Quilt Along?

We are fighting the flu in this house. That means I will get lots of quilting done or none at all!