How Can I Cut Straight?

Cutting straight lines depends heavily on the material and tools used. Here's a breakdown of techniques for various scenarios:

Cutting Paper Straight

Use a Ruler and Sharp Scissors: Place a ruler along your desired cut line. Hold the ruler firmly and carefully guide your sharp scissors along the edge. A fresh, sharp blade is crucial for clean, straight cuts. As seen in the YouTube video, maintaining consistent pressure and a steady hand are key to achieving straight lines.
Fold and Cut: For a quick, straight cut, fold the paper along the desired line and cut along the fold. This method is slightly less precise but very effective for quick cuts. This is mentioned in several resources like Quora.
Utilize a Cutting Mat and Utility Knife: For precise cuts, use a self-healing cutting mat and a sharp utility knife with a fresh blade, guiding the knife along a metal ruler.

Square Up Your Fabric: Before cutting, ensure your fabric is square. This is a crucial first step, mentioned in multiple sources like "In the Folds," and dramatically improves the accuracy of your cuts.
Use Sharp Scissors or Rotary Cutter: Sharp scissors are essential for clean cuts in fabric. A rotary cutter with a ruler provides the most accuracy for large pieces.
Pin and Cut: Pin your pattern pieces to the fabric securely. Carefully cut along the pinned edges for accuracy.

Use a Guide: For precise cuts with a circular saw, use a guide such as a straight edge clamped to the wood, as shown in articles such as that from "Out of the WW".
Freehand Cuts: Practice makes perfect when freehand cutting with a hand saw. Maintain consistent speed and pressure. A guide can be improvised with a straight piece of wood clamped to the work piece, as noted in Woodworking.stackexchange.
Utilize a Miter Saw: For the most precise wood cuts, use a miter saw.

Sharp Tools: Always use sharp tools. Dull tools require more force, resulting in uneven, inaccurate cuts.
Steady Hand: Maintain a steady hand and consistent pressure while cutting.
Practice: Practice makes perfect. The more you cut, the better you'll become at achieving straight lines.

Remember to always prioritize safety when using sharp tools.