The rotary cutter is a fabulous invention. It makes cutting fabrics quick and easy. Unlike traditional fabric shears or scissors, the rotary cutter saves wear and tear on your and wrist. Many sewing enthusiasts have discovered the ease and efficiency of using a rotary cutter, rotary cutting mat, and ruler. It might even replace some of those old scissors.
The rotary cutter is essentially a handle with a circular blade attached on one end. While the rotary cutter is quick and easy, there are some important considerations or tips to follow for maximum safety and success.
First, Always respect the razor sharp blade and avoid cutting fingers. Think safety first. Take special precautions whenever using or storing the rotary cutter around children. Just as with scissors, do not run with a rotary cutter in your hand. Safety first.
Always cut with a sharp rotary blade. Never use a rotary blade that is dull or has a nick on the blade. Replace it. It may be possible to sharpen a rotary blade, but it is generally quite inexpensive, and may be better to just replace it when it gets dull or marred by pins. Always keep the blade in its handle with safety guide on, until cutting, and then replace the safety as soon as finished.
Keep the rotary cutter clean, free of oils, free of lint, free of anything that might affect its precision cutting ability.
Rotary Cutters do not like pins. Rolling over even one pin can permanently ruin a blade. Always be sure to remove pins before cutting over them. Also watch for miscellaneous items like staples, and paperclips or anything else that might adversely affect the cutting surface. Even tiny pieces of paper, plastic, or cardboard will affect the rotary cutter cuts. Keep it clean.
Hold the rotary cutter firmly in your hand with your index finger aligned with the blade as a guide so you have full control. Avoid tensing your wrist.
Use the rotary cutter only on a fully supported cutting surface. Never use a rotary cutter without its rotary cutting mat. Use the cutting mat on a stable cutting table capable of supporting the cutting process.
Prepare your materials before cutting. Press, fold, smooth, align the materials to insure optimum cutting conditions.
Lay out your pattern and/or fabric for cutting on the cutting table so that all of the fabric is on the table. The tug of fabric draped over the edge can distort your cutting efforts.
For efficiency, it is recommended that you fold your fabric whenever possible to permit multiple layers of fabric (2 to 4 layers) to be cut simultaneously. When greater accuracy is demanded, it is often easier and more accurate to cut one layer at a time. Use some judgment here.
Also when cutting multiple layers of fabric, use a larger rotary cutting blade. This will make the cut easier.
Layout your cutting area on top of a self healing rotary cutting mat: free of debris, material lying flat and smooth, and use a clear ruler whenever possible.
Plastic rulers sometimes tend to slip and slide on fabric. Be careful. You may purchase special rulers with non slip backing, or you can purchase a special adhesive sandpaper dots or non-slip film to make your ruler non-slip. Check out the Omnigrid® InvisiGripTM your local sew and quilt store.
Place the clear ruler edge precisely where you want to cut. Keep grainline in mind when setting your ruler to achieve the best possible cut.
Place the rotary cutter blade beside the ruler with the handle rising up at its recommended angle (varies depending on the design of the cutter).
Properly position your body, your hands, your arms, and your feet for optimum cutting control and comfort.
Rotary cutters do a great job on longer cuts, but do not attempt any cut longer than your natural reach. If you are unsure whether you can reach, do a trial cut in the air with the safety on. Remember, you can cut it again, but if you reach and slip, you may need a bunch of additional fabric.
Avoid reaching. If you are too tall or too short to cut on the table, fit the table height before cutting. If you slip, fall, or otherwise move, it will mess up your cut.
There is much more to learn about using a rotary cutter as covered in our ebook, “The Rotary Cutting Guidebook” available with all your sewing answers at Sewing Answers. Com.
