Onebyone

It's a rule in my guild you have to use a safety tool when using a rotary cutter. My guild and guild member were almost in a lawsuit when a new member had a bad cut from a rotary cutter when the guild member was teaching her how to cut with it. She said she wasn't told to use a safety tool or offered one. No one cuts in my sewing room or in one of my community classes without a safety tool. You'd be surprised what can happen in court you never thought would happen from anyone. It's not personal, it's insurance. Insurance don't want to pay when someone else can be made to pay.

Splinter

I was at a quilting retreat last fall witnessed a rotary cutter accident for the first time. Those blades are really sharp and go through tissues very quickly. Luckily, there were several retired nurses at the retreat who were prepared for the accident. What this experience taught me was that every sewing kit should include gauze, first aid tape, and finger cots.

I once dropped the rotary blade (not in the cutter) while changing it, and it fell into my lap. It bounced off one leg, then the other, and then landed on the floor about five feet away from me. It caused a matching pair of small cuts (one on each leg) that stung but barely bled. Now I am sure to change the blade over a table and not over my lap.

I've read of four or five incidences of open rotary cutters falling off the table and landing on someone's foot. Every account ended with a trip the ER for stitches. I have a couple of dogs that are often underfoot when I am sewing, so I created the habit of closing the rotary cutter at the end of every cut. When I work with other quilters, it seems that I'm constantly closing rotary cutters set aside by someone else.

my-ty

Here are a list of safety tips for using a rotary cutter: http://quilting.about.com/od/rotaryc...ary_safety.htm (There are other lists on the internet.)

All quilters should know and follow these tips - just because we haven't had an accident... doesn't mean that we won't. If you have physical limitations, for example you cannot stand when cutting, then realize that you are increasing your safety risk and you must take extra caution.

Just as you don't want your granddaughter injured, she doesn't want to see you injured either. Learn the safest way to use a rotary cutter and practice these tips together.

carolynjo

I used to fine my adult quilting students. They were quick to learn, believe me.

Love to quilt Linda

Thanks for all of the good advice, that being said, I think I might wait one more year for the rotary cutter. It is very scary to think about what happens when I am not with her.

betty32084

I started helping quilting with my granddaughter when she was 8. She is 28 years old and still not comfortable using the rotary cutter .I taught her the value of buying the best in scissors and she can cut very fast .and won't let her kids use her sewing scissors,either. so I may not have done her a favor in the long run ,of not letting her use the rotary cutter.

quiltingshorttimer

I've worked with both 13/14 year olds and high school students quilting first quilts. We did use the rotary cutter--if they were comfortable and after a lesson on safety. Some choose not to use the rotary cutter so I'd cut for them. It really depends on the child--some are not focused and just plain not safe for the rest of us--you know her best.

IrishgalfromNJ

If it were my granddaughter I would only let her use scissors until she is a little older while teaching her the basics of good sewing techniques before she gets into the fancy tools.

osewme

If you don't wear a safety glove but expect her to wear one when she starts to learn to use the rotary cutter, I would suggest that you begin to wear a glove. Kids learn from seeing others do things & if you are wearing a glove she will be more apt to follow your direction. If you don't wear a glove but make her wear one she will more likely ditch the glove when she starts quilting/sewing on her own without you. Rotary cutter accidents are not just a "kid" thing. I've heard of more adults/experienced quilters being cut with the cutter than kids.

Onebyone

A guild member got a bad cut at her house from a rotary cutter and she said her medical insurance asked if she was wearing safety gear or using a safety guard. Same to them as using sharp or dangerous shop tools. Said it was negligence on her part. I use a Slidelock and if the cut is small I use the glove. Every cut, every time. To me it is the same precaution as wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle. It's a have to thing.