History Of Fussy Cutting

Fussy cutting is simply using one part of a piece of fabric and not others. Fussy cutting of animals is hugely popular on baby and "I spy" quilts. But you don't have to limit yourself to specific elements such as flowers or animals.

This photo shows the moon, planets, and stars added to a quilt of the universe.

The history of fussy cutting goes back more than 250 years to the 1700s in England. Broderie perse, also called cutwork applique, also appeared in the 1700s, but was most popular in the 1800s when expensive chintz florals were cut to display on cheaper fabric. These quilts use fussy cutting to create a repeated pattern in the quilt from just one design element of the fabric, such as using just the palm trees from this fabric. Of course, this may be wasteful because much of the fabric design is not used.

Fussy cutting enjoyed a revival in the 1930s when it became popular to include fussy cut blossoms in the hexies of a Grandmother's Flower Garden. Other names for fussy cutting include specialty, selective, and fancy cutting. Sometimes you see the term "window cutting." With this technique, you would use a template to position the cut. This technique helps you keep your cuts the same size if the fabric elements vary in size. Kits are available that include templates for hexies, triangles, diamonds, etc.

The large floral print fabric shown here is perfect for fussy cutting.

The large flower on the right jumps out and begs to be fussy cut. To demonstrate how it would be used in a Grandmother's Flower Garden, look at the flower against a dark background hexie.

For someone who flunked cutting in second grade, the idea of fussy cutting for a quilt strikes fear for this quilter. Some major points for ease of cutting are:

• PLAN - to make best use of your fabric.
• Buy extra fabric to allow you some freedom.
• Press all fabrics before cutting.
• Remember to allow for the seam allowance when cutting unless you are using a raw edge.
• If you are cutting on the bias, the fabric may stretch. You can use starch before cutting to maintain the shape.
• Use a 28mm rotary cutter for more control.
• Make sure you have selected quality scissors.
• Cuts don't have to be square. Cut a few different ones and play!

Fussy cutting is also popular for kaleidoscope quilts. Some of these techniques use specially designed mirrors to see the images as they will appear.

Fussy cutting is also used in scrapbooking, so look at some of the designs from other crafters. Ideas are everywhere!