ginnie6

on your rotary cutter? I just replaced mine a few months ago and its already not cutting as good. I have the olfa self healing mat. I've made three quilts and cut out two more. Does that sound like an average lifespan for a blade?

Ducky

With as much as you've used it on the cutting of the quilts, I would say it is reasonable that you would see a difference in the blade. It's hard to say. (Sometimes mine last a long time and sometimes they don't. )

ai731

I go through blades pretty quickly - I need to change them every 2 or 3 (small) projects, or every 2 or 3 months, depending on how much quilting I'm doing. If I'm starting a big project, I start with a new blade if I can, and don't expect it to last more than the one big project.

Jan

amma

I did not buy a self healing mat, so I go through them quicker....next time though, I will change that..... :D

Sometimes if your blade rides too much against the ruler it can dull them quicker...I sometimes knick mine on the ruler, too :roll:

ginnie6

when I first started a few months ago I did this alot...I am getting better about not doing it though. I used the rotary cutter years ago doing diapers and that blade lasted forever.

Boston1954

I do not always pay attention. When it gets so that it seems to skip a couple of threads I figure it is time to change.

Chele

If your blade is not cutting, it's time to change. There are many reasons why it gets dull, but cutting with a bad blade is such a pain. Change it out. It's not worth the headache or possible injury. Anyone who works with a blade (chefs, designers, quilters) knows that a sharp blade makes all the difference. I know they're expensive, but consider your rotary cutter an important tool in the quilt making process. Scrimp on something else.

mic-pa

A bad mat (board) will also contribute to dulling your blade. How old is your mat?? We don't always get a new one when we should. Happened to me and it made a difference. Marge

Iluv2quilt

I also have a self healing mat from Olfa. You got a lot of use out of that blade. I try to change my blade after each quilt. I like a good sharp cut without any pull so I try not to wait until it gets too dull.

SharonC

I use mine on 1 large project or maybe 2-3 small projects. I'd rather have a sharp blade than end up with pulls, nicks, and misaligned cuts that just waste precious fabric :).