Straightline Laser Level-Not Just For Hanging Pictures!

This week I'm working on some draperies for some dear friends who have just finished building their dream home (literally...they built most of it themselves!).  I wanted to share a little trick I use for cutting wide drapery fabric straight across.  I used to measure from the cut end of the fabric about 5 or 6 times across the width and sort-of just eyeball a cutting line, but that was time consuming and didn't always give the straightest results.  Then, a light bulb went off in my head one day. 

Don't you just love it when that happens?

First, I measure the length I want down one edge and make a small cut.

Then, I do the same on the other edge.  I grab my handy laser level and adjust the beam so that it starts at one cut and shines across to the other cut.  I don't use the bubbles at all, just the line up the laser beam.

Sometimes I need a little obstacle to stop the beam so I can tell where it's hitting the cut on the other side.  Next, just follow the line with your scissors and voila!  A perfectly straight cut all the way across!  It does help to start your cutting on the opposite side of the level, that way your hands aren't blocking the light as you cut across.

I darkened this picture up a bit so hopefully you can see the red laser line.  I was cutting as the sun was streaming through the windows today, so it was a little tricky to see the line, but if you're in low light or even working at night where you can dim the lights a bit it works especially well.




Linking up with: Savvy Southern Style, The Shabby Nest, Remodelaholic,
Crafty Texas Girls
Cornerstone Confessions 

Thrifty Decor Chick
Home Stories A to Z

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