Fabric cutting tools

One tool that helps a lot for rotary cutting is a Gripper for your ruler. I tried one at a quilt retreat recently and it's definitely on my wish list. I think everyone at the retreat who tried it out has got one since or wants to get one.

NAYY Allison

a very timely discussion as cutting is one of my weak spots. i have seen that gadget in magazines but it seems limited and very pricey. I thin if it was a good tool that my quilt shop might get it and cut fabric for patrons for a price as the do quilting. Just a thought. ruby

I don't have one, but one of my friends has one. She loves it. I have borrowed it several times, and I love it. I hope to get one as soon as I do some major cleaning out and rearranging in my sewing room.

Sherry Starr

I've seen and tried the gripper at my LQS and for me it was underwhelming. Just didn't see where it really helped me all that much. This device clamps both the fabric and the ruler which seems more advantageous to me. I showed the flyer to my DH and he quipped that it was the same as the mat cutter that I already have in the attic. Not sure about that. Haven't tried to adapt that to fabric yet.

nice to have some feed back from someone who has used it. What do you like about it best?? is it easy to use?? does it have any limitations??? can you cut different sized blocks, diamonds etc. ?? . I am pondering a tumbling blocks for my next project. ruby

Good thought! If I can find the brochure again maybe I'll take it w/ me next time I go to the LQS and see if anyone there has used it and get their feedback. They also just recently set up a long arm in the shop for sale. The owners son is also a friend of ours and I asked him the other evening if he knew if the shop was planning on renting out time on that. Another question for when I stop in. The last couple of times I've been in there it was either crazy busy or I was on a mission and didn't really have the opportunity to chat.

Kim in NJ

Sherry, Thanks for the input. Does it handle yardage favorably? Yardage doesn't bother me as I come from a clothing and home dec sewing background. But my friend is terrified of yardage! She is the FQ Queen. The last time she bought yardage for a quilt she came here so I could cut her strips! I'm sure one of the reasons she's leaning towards this device is because she has a king-sized quilt to do in her not too distant future. I'm sure all that fabric is freaking her out!

Kim in NJ

Howdy!

One thing I notice is that they're cutting on the "wrong" side of the ruler, at least "wrong" according to the way that's taught by professional cutters and quilters. The ruler is placed there to protect the working fabric, the strips/squares that will be used in the quilt, lying under the ruler so that if my hand goes wobbly I cut into the "stash" which I can square up again, but the working fabric w/ its straight edge stays protected under the ruler.

$200+ to people who don't know how to use a rotary cutter & ruler?

R/Sandy

I want that! Leaning on a padded handle with your fist instead of leaning on your spread fingers on hard plastic -- what quilter wouldn't want that!?!?

ep

I don't have either tool, however, a lot of the ladies in my adult ed quilting class found a handle, similar to the Gripper for your ruler at

for a fraction of the price of the Gripper. I hadn't paid too much attention to it, but I think this may be it: I remember it was blue & this has some blue on it. I think you can order on-line from them. NAYY, just wanted to pass the info on. Pauline Northern California

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a fraction of

I saw that for sale at Home Depot at one point. My thoughts exactly...same tool - half the price!

Kim in NJ

I discussed the cutter with my quilting teacher who is very experienced and a buyer for the store. Has ordered one in to try out. and if they like it will stock it. So i should be able to get the pros and any cons before buying. However I could not convince my teacher they, the shop, should offer a cutting service. LOL! Ruby

Thanks! That's a great savings!

ep

Am I the only one who finds it annoying that as soon as a tool is marketed for quilters that the price increases? My pet peeve are hair clips from the dollar store (that I use to clip down binding while hemming it) that cost a heck of a lot more at a quilt/fabric store.

Thanks so much for the link to a Gripper alternate!

Allison

Paul> I don't have either tool, however, a lot of the ladies in my adult ed

One reason I get my binder clips and rubber finger grippers from the office supply store! Next trip to the attic I'll have to dig out the mat cutter I have up there and see how comparable it is as well. Granted, that wasn't cheap either but if it does the same thing why spend another $200! Somehow I don't think the mat cutter is quite as versatile though.

Kim in NJ