Sewing novice with a question about rotary cutters

I would be very wary. Those things are seriously sharp, quite enough to do a person an injury. They need to be run along the fabric (like a pizza cutter) with a firm, even pressure and even then they don't always cut precisely, sometimes leaving little bits to be clipped with scissors. To cut along a straight line, it is usual to use one of the clear rulers which come with them, and which must be held down firmly with one hand while operating the cutter with the other. I always operate mine with great care, and usually prefer to use scissors for garment sewing except when I need a perfect straight line, because I do not like to use an instrument which can cut faster than my mind can think.

In the fabric store today, I noticed some special offers of a cutter and a very small cutting mat, quite cheap. You might want to try one of those, and if it works, go back and buy a decent size mat.

Good luck in your endeavors.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

"Steve W." scribbled while perusing news:elam3k$vn9$1 @aioe.org:

I wrote instructions for how to use one here -

best bet is to invest in a good quality see-through ruler like someone mentioned here. And be REAL careful. A friend of mine with years and years of experience cut the tip of her finger off a few days back using a rotary cutter. She'll use one again when her finger heals, but it's a reminder that you have to always be vigalent when you're using these things. Good luck!

G'day Steve

I bought my first Olfa Rotary Cutter & Mat when they were first released in 1979.....then bought a second (larger blade) cutter in 2004, it's the Silver Anniversary model, and wouldn't be without one!! They are the best thing since sliced bread!!

You will need a cutting guide as mentioned, best thickness is 3mm (1/8") as any thinner and the cutter blade will ride up over the rule. A rotary cutter does take a little while to get used to and I've found I have more control by standing 'over' it rather than either standing back or sitting down. Make your shoulder do the work!

If you are making pillows (cushions) then that will be a great practice project. Check in the $2 shops for a large cutting mat. I just bought one recently for under Au$10, although I still have my original mat that I bought in 1979. The newer (cheaper) one might not be the same quality but I won't expect it to last 27 years either.

The cutter blades are 'extremely' sharp so make sure that when it's out of your hand the safety shield is engaged. When I got my first cutter I put it down for a few seconds and planned to pick it up again, (was cutting on the ironing board) and the board was bumped by the dog and before I knew it the cutter had hit the floor, taking a big gouge out of the carpet. Fortunately it missed the dog and I'd hate to think of the injury to dog or human if it made contact with flesh.

Mine gets used every time I'm sewing, both for straight lines and dressmaking, curves are a little harder at first, but you soon learn to adjust and I find I get a smoother curved cut than with scissors. When cutting out patchwork you can fold the fabric and cut up to 12 thicknesses at once.....not only does this save time but they are all cut 'exactly' the same.

Hope this helps? but for me I wouldn't be without one!! Bronwyn ;-)

Steve W. wrote:

I use rotary cutters all the time for quilting and for other straight cuts (never mastered free-style corners! ;) ). I suggest you get an ergonomic cutter for your wife, a decent sized cutting mat, and a quilting ruler: they have straight sides rather than bevilled edges. Any quilting store will be happy to help you.

My favorite rotary cutter is this one, Martelli... comes in both right and left- handed models, the blades are sharp, it's very easy to "steer":

Very little pressure is required.You do need a cutting mat, which can be expensive. What's the problem with the scissors? Some problems can be "cured" with nice sharp scissors (Kai are my favorites... get as long a blade as possible), some can be cured by helper springs to open the blades for you, like the Fiskars Softouch or the Heritage 7241s (i.e.: ) and some problems canbe cured by learning to keep the bottom blade on the table and cut withthe full length of the blade, not choppy short strokes.Kay

I've got some serious issues with joints (RA, Carpel Tunnel, OA), so I am on the constant lookout for anything to make cutting easier. I've heard about rotary cutters for years, so decided to try some. I've bought two different brands, Fiskars, and Olfa. Both are 45 mm. Both have a spot that is obviously for a thumb or index finger. I can't cut worth a darn. I bought replacement blades - didn't help. I've come to the conclusion that the prolem is with me, not the cutters. Big disappointment.

Now I'm thinking electric scissors. Any here use them routinely? Any opinions?

TIA, Sharon

Hate them. Really. Never seen a pair that worked well for me. Maybe garment factories have better ones, but home models have short blades, are noisy, and "jumpy."

And then---there are the electric scissors. Barbara in FL

I thought electric scissors would be a great idea too. Asked for the Dritz cordless version for christmas a couple of years ago. They definitley cut faster than you can think. It's very easy for it to "get away" and cut there it shouldn't. And noisy and jumpy. I tried but couldn't get the hang of it, and it has migrated to the almost inaccessable bottom shelf of my book case behind my cutting table. Figured some day if i have to hack up some heavy canvas I might pull them out again.

Joy

Sharon, call around and see if someone has a Martelli you can try. The difference in the amount of pressure needed is truly amazing, and you don't have to c*ck your wrist to use it.

I understand the Dritz electric scissors are dc'd, but Black and Decker has some (sz360t) with fabric blades -- street price of around $22-25. Haven't used them.

Kay

I had some Singer branded ones (until they were stolen)... They were not to noisy or "jumpy" (and I know exactly what you mean). I treid to replace them, but all I could find seemed to be noisy and/or jumpy..

I loved the good ones I had, they were great when your hands felt sore and tired. (wry laughter) I really don't like the rotary cutter, I always seem to cut myself somehow. :(

me

I had a pair in the 60s-70s that were fine for cutting except the blades were really too short to do long cuts. And my aunt passed her pair to me before her death and they are the same. Emily