Thread: I've Joined the club for injuries with a rotary cutter

Well, yesterday I was happy, minding my own business cutting strips for additional blocks when all of a sudden I sliced my index finger with the rotary cutter. Didn't hurt at 1st and didn't start to spurt blood either till after I realized what I had done. I'm so glad too as I was working on off-white fabric. Went to the bathroom to wash the injury and put some pressure to it. It took quite some time to stop the bleeding. Even got an ice cube to see if that would help..........nope. It took over 30 minutes to get it to stop and I was just about ready to hit the ER for possible stitches if it didn't stop soon. I put a double bandage on tightly as it continued to ooze a little. Decided I'd done enough in the sewing room for awhile so left the scene of the accident...........LOL!

Later I came back to finish cutting keeping my fingers out of the way. In all these years I'd never cut myself so don't know why yesterday but its on the mend now. Still hurts a little which is only natural but it sure makes one stop and think about how dangerous it can get in our sewing room.

Also, I should have the additional 10 blocks finished today. The 1st set I did in yellow but they seemed too washed out next to the vivid purple blocks. Doing a couple log cabin style lapquilts for a couple leaving our area.

Ouch! Heal fast! Now you know it isn't a matter of if but when a rotary accident will happen. Please use a safety device when cutting. I won't cut without the Slidelock rulers or at least a cut resistant glove. No way I want the trauma of a bad cut.

Originally Posted by k_jupiter

Wrong. There is no inevitability of an accident. Just like driving a car. Two ways to drive... focused, or not so focussed. Same with using a rotary. I use wide rulers and have never come close to slicing my finger in 9 years of cutting. Don't plan on starting now. When I cut, I cut. Don't think about the kids, work, my next hot date, nothing but what I am doing. I am glad you use the proper safety equipment, just don't let that give you that sense of security. It won't help. tim ten fingers in san jose

For cutting fabric the safety tools will keep me safe. I have had too many near misses that would have resulted in cuts to my finger if I hadn't had the safety tools. As for being focused that is a given but won't prevent a rotary cutter user from being in ER with a bad cut.

Been there done that. Still don't know how my index finger got in the way. Glad your okay!!!!

I haven't done that either. I wonder if the F&P Klutz glove would really help.

My teeth clenched and my toes curled just reading your post!!! Be sure to keep it clean and dry and tightly wrapped for a while - a slice with a sharp instrument does tend to heal more quickly- thankfully. Hope it is all better REAL soon.