Whether you’re cutting our carding cloth, rug hooking gripper strips, or blending board cloth to size, the foundation cloth cuts very easily with a razor-type utility knife. But you’ll first want to remove the teeth from wherever you’ll be trimming.
Removing the teeth widthwise and lengthwise is very easily done. First, protect your work table with a piece of cloth, cardboard, etc. Next, place the carding cloth teeth side down. You’ll notice that there is a bend in the teeth. You want to pull the teeth out with this bend and not fighting against it, so position your cloth with the points of the teeth pointing away from you. Using a tool such as an ice pick, awl, or heavy sewing needle, place the pick under the crown of the staple and pull them out. The teeth will come out very easily if you are working with the bend, and not against it. If the teeth feel difficult to remove, turn the clothing the other direction and try again.
A great feature to note: the teeth line up straight width wise and length wise, so whether you are trimming your cloth shorter, or making it narrower, you’re guaranteed to always pull a nice, straight line.
Once you have the teeth removed from your carding cloth where you need it, using your utility knife, still with the teeth face down on your work surface, cut the carding cloth from the backside.
