Cutting Faux Pas
 

This was day 2 of cutting with a rotary cutter, and I LOVE a rotary cutter! (Yes, as a matter of fact, I have been living under a rock...I don't get out much except to work and back.)

At any rate, I wanted to know if there was a specific reason that occasionally I'd get wonky cutting lines, or if it's just a matter of practicing?

Sometimes the cut would be about 1/4" away from the straight edge, and the cut line would look like little steps in a row. Other times, it looked like a drunkard was operating the cutter (I assure you, the latter was not the case...at least not today...although I've read that a little wine might solve the problem LOL).

Still other times, despite being OCD about making sure I was 'squared up' before I cut, I ended up with a curve in my WOF strip. What's up with THAT? The most I cut was 4 layers.

Thanks, as always, for the advice/tips.

I often have a problem with the ruler slipping while I cut. I recently bought some new rulers that were advertised as 'non-slipping' and they really work great.

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.

A couple of things -- First, make sure your rotary blade is sharp and not dented, nicked or otherwise damaged. That would cause the "steps".

hopetoquilt is correct about the "V" - your fold isn't quite right. Remember that the way the fabric is rolled onto the bolt is usually NOT exactly true. I think there's a lot of advice about this if you google it.

Make sure the blade is tightened down enough (not too tight though).

I always square my ruler up to the fold and not the selvage end when I am cutting strips. This trick has eliminated that dreadful "V" for me

there are sandpaper dots you can get to put on the back of your rulers to keep them from slipping....also - don't try to reach too far with the rotary..move your hand along as you cut - hold the ruler firmly, cut about 8 to 10 inches then carefully walk the hand on the ruler ahead a bit so that you're now holding down the part of the ruler where you're cutting next. Cut another 8 yo 10 inches and walk your hand up more..

To avoid being 1/4" away from the straight edge, make sure your rotary cutter blade is straight up and down, not tilted away from the ruler. If it's jagged, you may not be holding the cutter with an even pressure. All it takes is some practice.

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.

you may already be performing correctly, but let's get back to basics...

if you are right handed, the cutter goes in your right hand and your left hand holds the ruler down. if you are left handed, go vice versa, but your rotary cutter blade needs to be changed to the other side.

while you are learning, cut through the least amount of layers of fabric - from front to back...not toward you, but away. sometimes, the fabric shifts.

to practice cutting fabric without a "v" forming, fold over one piece of fabric to form a double layer. don't use the bottom of the ruler as a starting point. instead, start at another point, let's say the half-inch mark. match the mark that appears on both edges of the ruler.

another point: to start with a straight cutting edge, carefully cut to the right of the fabric. when that is square, flip the fabric over and adjust the fabric so that the layers are straight. using your ruler, measure the fabric from left to right and cut it using your rotary cutter.

another point: while you are learning, you might not want to cut long lengths of fabric. this might be pulling your fabric. vice versa for left handed.

when you make sure that the basics are addressed, then you may have different questions.

You've received great advice from everyone but I would also suggest you do a bit of practicing on cheap cuts of fabric (such as muslin) and not something you've planned for your first project. And do yourself a favor and watch these two videos: "How to Square your quilting fabric" (before cutting) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcpzwJMVTbc and "How to Cut Fabric with a Rotary Cutter". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybQLai6Mv58

Hope this helps.

I had a problem with my rotary cutter once and found that I had two blades on instead of one

Rush88888 covered most of it. You need to be sure your ruler remains still, but it is also possible to waver from the edge of the ruler if you are nit careful. Try to hold the cutter at a consistent angle. I use a June Taylor Shape Cut (1/2") for almost all of my cutting because I have to sit while I cut and it make it easier for me to keep my cuts true. as you go along, please remember to sharpen or change blades regularly. Dull blades chew the fabric, rather than cutting it and are much harder to use. As much as I hate ironing, having your fabric freshly pressed does matter in getting good cuts.

This is the best tip a friend told me about to keep my ruler from getting out of line.
Buy a bathtub suction-cup handle like this. By putting this on my ruler, I can get a better "grip" and it stays in place REAL WELL when I make those cuts (large or small)

I too used to have the same problem as you. Until a friend told me to be sure and keep one finger on the fabric while holding the ruler. Made all the difference.

I had a bit of a problem with ruler slippage but I bought Grip Strips from Guidelines4Quilting.com. They let the ruler slip over the fabric when lining up but when you put pressure on the ruler to cut they grip the fabric and no more slippage.
Not bad for $10.00 you get 6 strips - 2 on your 12" ruler & 4 for your 24" ruler

I straighten my fabric like in the video. Thank You Lois for posting the video because I could'nt explain it in writing. I was taught to do thid by a quilting teacher years ago.

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!

Once I get my ruler exactly where I want it I put a weight on the end furthest from me, just to help in keeping it in place as I tend to unintentionally loosen up on the ruler while cutting. But I also walk down the ruler as I cut as someone else described. Cut some, move my hand up the ruler, cut more, keep going till I'm done.

My "weight" is really just the head of a smallish sledge hammer that I made a fabric cover for so you can't tell what it is(and contrary to his "I'm gonna find a handle for it soon" speech), DH hasn't even noticed it's not in the garage anymore. I use it all the time for so many things while sewing and cutting. I also "borrowed" a 2" socket from the garage(he keeps all his real tools at work anyways) and turned it into a weight/pin cushion.

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

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.

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.

If you want perfect strips, I really recommend the June Tailor Shape Cut ruler. It is the best ruler I have ever bought.
The best money I have ever spent on my quilting notions. And I have a lot of quilting rulers. It might really help you. And if you sign up for Joann's e-mails, they will have printable coupons that you can use.

I have also found that I need to stand EXACTLY in front of my ruler/fabric when cutting. If I stand off to the side then I tend to cut crooked. Also I have seen PVC pipe cut and used to heighten table just cut them all the height that yiu neet to raise your table to a good height for you.

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!

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

All the tips in this thread are great, and a couple are new to me. Here's another one to keep rulers from moving. I use those large clamps found in tool stores...some are spring loaded and some you tighten by squeezing the handles until they lock into position. Those have a release lever on the inside. I avoid the spring ones because of arthritis...too stiff and hard to use for me. The others are wonderful for holding down rulers and even square rulers. One clamp on a lower corner is enough and you can use your hand to hold down the upper corner (on the same side of the ruler). The clamp works great with the 4 by 36 inch ruler. One clamp on the bottom and the other clamp at the top....work well for me.

Another reason I always prewash....that V will haunt you for awhile as you learn. Fold the fabric and bounce it...let it tell you where center is.
I always open my first strip and make sure the V is not there before continuing on cutting my strips.

I always try to keep my pinky finger off the edge of the ruler to help stabilize it. Cut about 12 inches and then CAREFULLY move your hand up the ruler, leaving the rotary cutter blade IN the fabric and continue to cut. And Try to cut with the rotary blade at a 45 degree angle to the ruler, not tilted over and pushing against the ruler. ( you can have the handle at whatever angle is easiest for you to cut, just be sure the blade is straight.) Sometimes, we get to pushing so hard against the ruler ( it happened to me when my blade begins to get a little dull) that is moves our ruler.

Teeler - love your sense of humor.

I have also loved this thread. I have learned a lot from it. I do know one of my biggest problems is that I try to cut too fast - just impatient. I have read how others cut just a few inches and then move their hand up the ruler. So I guess my new resolution is to slow down and enjoy the journey and, hopefully, get straighter strips!

I was having a lot of trouble with my rulers slipping and I bought some of these, I put them on the bottom of my rulers and they work great. I even used the little centers and the parts in between on my smaller templates.
http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Company-TrueCut-Ruler-Grips-Transparent/dp/B003SBGW8C/ref=cm_rdp_product

They can be found cheaper! I think I found them at Joanns or one of those for under 4.00. I don't know why this is being underlined but please ignore that.

I have been using a 2x8' folding table for my cutting. But I have trouble cutting if i'm near the fold in the center of the table - so I moved my cutting mat to a smaller solid wood table with no folds and I get much cleaner cuts. On the folding table I would sometimes get skips because the table would flex in the middle. Don't know if this is clear as mud but. . . . . .

Good lighting can make a difference too. If your ruler is throwing a shadow (even a small one) your measurements can be off by 1/8" or more depending on the ruler.

The Quilters Slidelock made all the difference in the world in my cutting. I bought both sizes and I think its the best thing since sliced bread. We live close enough the the manufacturer I received them in two days!

It looks like you have a lot of good advice. It is good for us old times even to review and refresh ourselves on some cutting techniques.

I think it was mentioned earlier that your fold of the fabric should be at the bottom of your mat, close sort of to your belly. I usually fold my halved fabric another time, place the fold close, line up one of the lines with the bottom fold. It should run parallel to the fold, and then cut. We all seem to find many tips to help. The 1/4" cut check is a good tip.
I have also heard of folks getting PVC pipe cut long enough to bring your table up to the height you want. Put the legs(of the table) into the pipe, it should be stable and the right height for cutting.

I quickly read most of these threads and I have one moe suggestion. After you have cut 8 strips or so and your cutting using the WOF cutting method you might need to stop and realign your fabric.i know I often need to.