My husband gave me a couple of Olfa rotary cutters and a mat for Christmas! I have been wanting these for awhile thinking it will greatly speed up the cutting time on sewing projects. I have never used rotary cutters so I thought I'd ask if any of you have any special hints or tips on using them?
Thanks so much, Bonnie
I use mine most for quilt making, but i do cut long straight dress seams with them too. The best thing you can have to help with this is a LOOONG quilting ruler, or a metal or perspex straight-edge with vertical sides: a bevelled edge ruler encourages the rotary cutter to rise up off the fabric and across your fingers...
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
Hopefully, you have a self-healing mat that you using. When using your mat, try not to cut in the same area. This will prolong the life of your mat. Also, do not store your mat where it may be subjected to heat. A heat source can cause the edges to curl and the lamination to separate from the pvc backing on your mat.
Regards,
Derek
I just started using a rotaty cutter a few weeks ago and found that it was very clumsy at first. I googled and found some instructions that were very helpful. I.) use a straight edge pressing down with you non-cutting hand and keep your thumb close enough to the edge of the straight edge that it is your guide .
2.)With you cutting hand tip the blade slightly away from the edge. ( My tendency was to tip the blade toward my edge or non- cutting hand.) 3.) take your time cutting 4.)Practice, Practice, Practice, 5.) practice on each new material you are going to use just as you would do with sewing. It's getting better with each try. I'm sorry I can't remember the URL but if you google "using a rotary cutter" I'm sure you'll find the one I used . It has photos that do help show positioning for your hands. HTH JJ"forgottenmuse" scribbled in news: snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:
When I was working with SewingWeb.com, I did a "how to" for using rotary cutters. It's not an indepth how to, but you will know how to cut a square, to cut away from yourself, and all that good stuff. Look here:
My two tips:
Store the cutting mat flat. Under a sofa or bed is a nice place. As someone else mentioned, they will warp when exposed to heat--I left mine in the back of my old hatchback one sunny afternoon in DC (gag) and it's never been the same since.
Get in the habit of retracting the blade *every single time* you set it down, even between cuts. It seems like an extra motion, but with practice you'll get fast enough that it won't be. This will prevent many accidents like picking it up by the business end, stepping on it (if you cut out on the floor), or knocking it off the table on to your foot.
gabrielle
Thank you all so much for your great hints and websites! I really appreciate the help I get on this group as there is no one I know that I can ask these questions.
Happy New Year to you all!
Bonnie
- Remove "nospam" to reply.
Never lay one down without putting the safety guard in place. Rotary cutters are **sharp.** Rotary cutters are best used with sewing weights. You don't want to run over pins with them.
I make my own sewing weights with used clean film canisters filled with wet sharp sand.
Sewmaster
have been wanting these for awhile thinking it will greatly speed up the cutting time on sewing projects. I have never used rotary cutters so I thought I'd ask if any of you have any special hints or tips on using them?
Just remember........................These things CAN go extremely fast, but that doesn't always mean it is a good idea to do so!!! Speed may be OK for "stack and whack" quilting, but in garment sewing it is important not to cut faster than your mind can think.
Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.
Indeed, the primary virtue of the cutter, in my mind, is that it allows you to cut very, very slowly while following a drawn thread very, very carefully.
But I usually decide that it's too much trouble to get the mat out from behind the piano, and cut with shears or scissors.
Joy Beeson
Um, what kind of sand is sharp?
Cindy
There are plenty of different textures, courseness and etc .Just ask a Pro Golfer.. they will go on an on about the perfect sand. I think that "sharp" might mean a large grain, course texture.
It tends to be somewhat course but it's main attribute is that it is pure, fine rock. No dirt or plant matter. It will not compact or clump.
Sharp sand can be found at nurseries and greenhouses. It is a great soil additive for growing baby's breath. another Sharon
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