Thread: How do I...

How do I trim a block with my rotary cutter if I need my acrylic block measure under it? Do you always need to have
your mat under what you're cutting? I'm so ashamed but this simple thing has me dumb-founded. Help!

Your block should be on the mat, and your ruler is on the top of the block.
Then cut around the ruler :D

You put a mat underneath (mine are gray, some are green or other colors) and then cut on top of that. Believe me, you need that mat. I thought I didn't need one way back when I first started making a quilt and it was not easy. I used cardboard and newspaper. lol

I would always use a mat under it , to protect what ever you are cutting on top of an cave the blade .. the ruler should be on top so you can cut around it

If you don't use a mat you will ruin whatever you are cutting on...learned that one many years ago by mistake!

Originally Posted by eightylady

How do I trim a block with my rotary cutter if I need my acrylic block measure under it? Do you always need to have
your mat under what you're cutting? I'm so ashamed but this simple thing has me dumb-founded. Help!

I don't understand your question. What is an acrylic block measure? is it your ruler? Why would you have your block on top of the ruler? If you ever rotary cut without a mat you will know why you will always need one. :wink:

BellaBoo...I should have said acryllic "Easy Square" on top of the fabric. How else can I square it up? Please tell me.

Mat on the bottom, then your fabric block, then your easy square on top. Is the easy square the exact size you need for your block?

Think of your rotary cutter as a pizza cutter with a razor blade in it.......think of what that would do to your furniture surface. :wink: Besides that the mat makes it easier to cut. I prefer the Omni mat because it is softer than other mats, and it self-heals. I have used a couple of other brands, and I didn't like them at all. :wink:

http://www.quiltuniversity.com/squaring_up.htm