Hi, some ideas for dressmaking, the rotary cutter is a brilliant tool - and really FAST.
- Cut the edges off the paper pattern first, don't cut paper and fabric together.
- Be really careful not to roll over a pin, you'll have one tiny nick in the blade that makes it useless.
- Always have a spare blade (for when you roll over a pin:-))
- I never use a ruler when cutting cloth - I find it easy to keep to the edge of the pattern or a drawn line. But then I don't do patchwork and you may need a ruler for that.
- Put the guard on whenever you are not using the blade. I have never cut myself when actually cutting stuff but I've had a couple of accidents when just holding the cutter in my hand and gesticulating.
- Don't let kids get hold of it unless they have been introduced and know what they are doing with it. One of the above accidents came when my small nephew unexpectedly grabbed the tool and I tried to take it off him before he got damaged. I came off worst.
- I sometimes cut craft paper with the cutter, but shouldn't really - they say it's the worst thing for blunting an edge.
- I keep the mat on my sewing table and work on it. whenever I need to trim something it's right there.
- If you do use the mat as a work surface (mine's between the overlocker and the sewing machine) be really careful not to cut any power lines!
- Cutting accurately to the inside of a corner is tricky but OK with care. On a really sensitive bit I might snip the last litle bit with scissors.
- Be aware of what's at the edge of the mat. I sometimes roll off the edge onto the table, but it's old and that doesn't matter. When I have to cut large bias skirts and things like that I cut on the carpet in the living room. I have done this with the cutter, by shifting the mat around under the fabric but it's difficult and it puts the carpet at risk - I tend to use shears now.
Cheers
Bren