Thread: Cutting Faux Pas

Originally Posted by Teeler

Thank you everyone for these great tips! I am a lefty, and was wondering if there was an "issue" about placement of that blade. I keep bumping the knob on my ruler. Going right now to change it!
And even as a noob, I realize how much better it would be with bigger equipment. I'm currently using an 18" fiskars self-healing mat, and a 6x12 non-slip ruler. They're ok and do the job just fine, but it would be better to have the wonderfully large cutting spaces that many of you have.
Oh, and there's a lot to be said for a table that's the right height...holy cow a 6' folding table is too low! Must put some 2x4s under the legs!

Often I have heard that people will put bed risers under their cutting tables to make them the right height.

Originally Posted by hopetoquilt

If you end up with a V, it means you didn't fold the fabric correctly. I usually cut a 1/4 inch and they'd unfold and look for the V. No V means I can proceed.

Wow.... I would have NEVER thought to do this!! I always just fold as carefully as I can and hope for no "V"... THank you for this excellent tip!!!

soooo glad I hopped onto the QB today!!! :-D

When you start a long cut, put pressure on the lower half of the ruler. Then stop cutting, walk your fingers to the next section and keep cutting. If you try to control the ruler for a single cut, it is easy to shift the ruler.

I make sure that my fabric hangs properly when held salvage to salvage before I fold it to cut. That avoids the "Vs".

When I have to make multiple cuts, I add the widths and make one cut to that width before sub-cutting that piece.
Example, instead of cutting 4 strips of 2.5" in a row, I cut one strip of 10" and then sub-cut that into 5" and 2.5"
increments.

If I keep making separate cuts, I check periodically that my fabric is still square. You'll be amazed how much shift you can accumulate.

Originally Posted by Teeler

Thank you everyone for these great tips! I am a lefty, and was wondering if there was an "issue" about placement of that blade. I keep bumping the knob on my ruler. Going right now to change it!
And even as a noob, I realize how much better it would be with bigger equipment. I'm currently using an 18" fiskars self-healing mat, and a 6x12 non-slip ruler. They're ok and do the job just fine, but it would be better to have the wonderfully large cutting spaces that many of you have.
Oh, and there's a lot to be said for a table that's the right height...holy cow a 6' folding table is too low! Must put some 2x4s under the legs!

Is the blade reversible? Some are -but others can just be turned around - what brand cutter are you using?

As far as the height - go to Walmart or Bed Bath and Beyond and get the stack of bed risers - that is what our guild uses when we have a work day or go on retreat. it will be stable easy to store if you dont want the table high all the time.

be aware the lines on some cutting mat's are NOT RIGHT. My olfa bought at jo anns caused me no end of frustration before one of the sales ladies i was asking why I couldn't get this bear claw to come out right told me to get an acrylic ruler with a grid on it and check it.

I use the Quilters Slide Lock for all my rulers. It keeps the ruler from moving and you will never have to worry about cutting your fingers. Always use some type of safety cutting tool when you cut with a rotary cutter. The cutter can jump in a blink of an eye. If you have a heavey broken iron don' t throw it out. It will work to hold a long ruler in place when cutting strips, I taped some sandpaper on the bottom of the iron and it will not slip on the ruler It will work until you can buy a nicer tool. Rotary cutting your finger is scary and it hurts!

Originally Posted by Peckish

Make sure you are keeping your cutter at a 90 degree angle to the board. When my mom started quilting and using rotary cutters, she had a tendency to rotate the cutter as she ran it up the ruler, which angled against the ruler and resulted in a cut that was as much as 1/4" off. Also, if you get "stepping", slow down.

My mother taught me that the cutter holds better to the edge of the ruler if it is tilted (just a little bit if you prefer). Worked for her, works for me. Edie