Any sewers around? I need advice re cutting fabric scraps straight?

[TheFurryMenace]

I am a beginner sewer. I made a couple of small items and struggled with knowing how to cut the fabric straight. I kind of got the selvedge edge thing, but now I think I've forgotten it due to lack of practice.

I would like to make a simple drawstring bag from some scraps of fabric, but now that I've used some of the fabric - how do I make it straight again or how can I cut out nice straight peices?

I can only find info on you tube about cutting for quilting or cutting fabric straight from the shop. How do I manage scraps?

I only have scissors and I use the kitchen table to cut. Do I need fancy rulers and mats? If so, what do I need?

Thanks in advance.

I would measure in from the selvedge edge with a tape measure or ruler at regular intervals (like a few inches) and mark a dot with a pencil, pen, chalk or whatever you have handy.

Either join up the dots with a ruler or just cut from dot to dot if they are close enough together.

Thanks.

It depends on which type of fabric you are using, but you should be able to see the weft and the warp of the fabric i.e. the weave of the fabric. Cut along the weave of the fabric to make a straight line.

Depending on the size of your bag, you might have something (like a book) you could use as a template..?

I'd only invest in mats and rotary cutters if you really get the bug and know you'll get the use out of them! But they do make life easier. (Got mine in Boyes which is pretty cheap).

fancy rulers, matts & a rotary cutter are god sends. Maybe you can get them for reduced price on Ebay. I found this listing (no pictures!) but maybe there are others.

Also should iron the fabric first.

Could measure out and draw the cutting line on with pencil, but have to pay attention to those warp-weave things to get well-behaved fabric (I can't ever tell which is which myself).

oops, mystery listing.

Thanks very much I will try the suggestions and perhaps get myself a mat and cutter for Xmas.