here's an easy way to trim in the hoop quilt pieces
Many folk find a problem getting a neat
edge when in the hoop quilting so try
this little trick of mine
find a nice short see through child’s
rule, the six or four inch ones are great
for this.
RIGHT HANDERS
Place the rule, next to the sew line and
then fold the fabric back over the rule.
this action will lift the fabric up a
little and away from the hoop backing.
hold the fabric down with left hand
fingers. Now use the surface of the rule
as a base and cut along the fabric with the
scissors at a slight right angle to the
rule. the scissor point stays on the rule
and the sharpness of the scissors will
allow you to slice through the fabric
neatly and cleanly.
With a little practise you will soon get
that nice 1/4 inch edge
LEFT HANDERS
Do the same thing as explained above but
lay the rule against the sew line UNDER
the fabric. This lifts the fabric up just
that little and away from the backing Then
with the fabric held down by the
fingers on the right hand slide the point
of the scissors along the top of the rule
at a slight left hand angle.
In each case you can see clearly what you
are doing.
TIP.... sew a straight stitch on scrap
material and practise the folding back and
cutting till you get the angle of the
scissors just right to give you that 1/4
inch allowance.
also a nice big car sponge or a book can
also be placed under the hoop to support
the fabric in the hoop if its removed from
the machine.
I hope this will help you. Annie in the UK
PS the word rule is correct. English
teacher informed us in the UK class that
" There is only one RULER and that is
the Queen. The measuring device is a RULE.
"
A sharp rap on the knuckles with a rule
made sure I never ever forgot that one.
2260 
13091 Great tip, I'm going to start working on a QIH project soon, this should come in handy. We Americans have been butchering the Queen's English for many years now, so while "rule" is correct, most Americans wouldn't know what you were talking about unless you said "ruler", hee hee hee. And then, of course, we don't have the Queen, hee hee hee. Upstart Yanks, y'know, hee hee hee. Thanks so much for the information, it'll be put to good use! Hugs, Marji
by ruthie 31 Aug 2009
Thanks Martine, I sounds like it doesn't matter what we call it, as long as we all know what we're talking about, haha. Love and hugs sweetie.
by ruthie 31 Aug 2009
that should really be 'it sounds' - now maybe you all know what I'm talking about, haha!
22870 
5409 Oh - right now - I need a picture or two - can you take some - I believe I understand what you are saying - but my brain is mush sometimes and needs something to visualize - so it can comprehend. Hehehe! Great tip! *4U
by 
96692 
42338 Thanks, I have not done any quilting, but will try it. *4u In South Africa we also call the measuring device a ruler.
5231 Thank you so much this is a good lesson and
I did not know that it was referd to as a
rule I had always said ruler or tape.
Hugs Lenamae
8909 Great, this is exactly the kind of clever
tip I was looking for! More of that,
cuties, please.
And finally a lesson to improve my language
skills- one of the many reasons I show up
here so often.
Love it! Thanks.
19727
Interesting language lesson. Being the curious person I am I had to look it up.
1. COD (Concise Oxford Dictionary - 1969) In one and the same lemma it states 'rule - graduated often jointed straight measure used by carpenters, etc., hence carpenter's rule.' and 'to rule - make parallel lines across paper with ruler or mechanical help'. That was not much help.
2. So I got my Collins English Dictionary. That gives for 'rule - any of various devices with a straight edge for guiding or measuring; ruler (a carpenter's rule}'. And gives for 'ruler - also called rule - a strip of wood, metal or other material, having straight edges graduated usually in millimetres or inches, used for measuring and drawing straight lines'. Hee hee.
3. Then I took my Webster (1983) and that states 'rule - a strip of material marked off in units measuring or ruling off lengths' and for 'ruler - a smooth-edged strip of material (as of wood or metal) that is usually marked off in units (as inches) and is used as a straightedge or for measuring'. I gather you Yanks can also use both according to you Webster. Hee hee.