Removing part of a vector image in Inkscape

Sometimes you want to remove part of an svg image.  This is how I do this:

1. Here is an image where I would like to remove part of the lines on the left side of the sign so that when I make it a paper piecing, there won’t be as many small pieces to place.  This image is a vector, so I can edit it in Inkscape.
   
2. You need to place a shape over the vector image where you want to remove part of the image.  You can either use one of the shape tools, or you can use the bezier tool.  I will use the bezier tool here.
3. Select the bezier tool and use it to make a shape by clicking, moving the cursor to the next corner and clicking.  Continue moving and clicking until you are back to the original corner, then click on the starting point to close the shape.
   
4. Select the selection tool then select the new shape and adjust its position if necessary.  Then select both the new shape and the original vector  image.
5. From the menu, choose Path/difference.  The part of the image behind the shape will be removed.
   
6. Use the node tool to clean up extra nodes and shape the lines.

You can do more than one section at a time by making the first shape, holding the shift key down,  and making another shape.  This will put both shapes into the same Path.  You can also make all of the shapes separately, then select all of them and use Control K to combine them into one Path.  Path/Difference can only be done with exactly two Paths at a time.

Here is the image with the lines divided and the nodes edited to give them a better shape.