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When cutting fabric with a rotary cutter and ruler should the ruler cover the mark on the mat or just butt up against it? I have just noticed that my mat does not go end to end but actually starts where the markings start almost 1/4 in from the edge of the mat. That explains why some of my projects weren't accurate (when I thought I was being so careful. Us beginning quilters need all the heads up and help you can give us.

Sally

Donna

I never use my mat guide lines for cutting, I always use the ruler. When I need say a 9" square, I put a piece of tape at the 9" line and always line it up with that, so I don't have to think, did I line the fabric up with the inside or outside of the line. Just a tip I learned somewhere else.

Donna

Boo

Which ever method you prefer is fine, as long as you continue to use that same method for all cutting. It is not unusual for a ruler or matt grid to be a hair different. While it may not seem important, you add all those hairs up and you get a wonky quilt. Matts may warp over time and prevent you from cutting accuratly, therefore, I do recommend using your ruler for all measurements. Slide ruler from opposite side of fabric to your cutting arm. Such as, rt. handed person would use left side of fabric and lt. handed person would use the rt. side. After you are sure your fabric is squared up, place your ruler so the size strip you are cutting meets the edge of the fabric. Hope you find this helpful.

Joyce

I have read that you should stick with the same brand for all your rulers, the reason given was that different brands can be a hair off from one another.
I would take my favorite, most often used ruler, and check it against all my other rulers and cutting mats. This way you will know for sure if there is any difference that you must allow for when measuring and cutting.
I have numerous brands of rulers and there are always those that become favorites.
If some of your rulers are out of sync in their measurements, why would you continue to use them?
The old rule of "an inch is an inch" needs to apply to all manufactures of measuring tools.
Joyce

GiGi

IF you use a T-Square, no worries. Accurate everytime.

ccbear66

I have a comment about rotary cutters. I was using a fiskars rotary cutter that I got from WM and the blade would not stay engaged. I just purchased a Ofla delux rotary cutter and can not believe the difference in it. It is great. It is so much easier to cut with and seems like it is a lot sharper than my old one ever was even with a new blade. It is like night and day. I am so glad that I tried this Ofla one. I'm now hooked.

june6995

Now that you are hooked on Olfa products, here is a suggestion.

Save all those dull blades. When you have 5 or 10 you can exchange them for NEW Olfa blades at: http://www.houseofhanson.com/lpsharp.html

This is the 2nd year I have done this. Mail them with your check, and you get new ones back pronto. No return postage charge. There are other places to buy new blades, but I like the idea of recycling old blades. We don't need those in the landfill.

Go Green!!!!

ccbear66

Thank you. I'll bookmark this site and do that. I bought my new cutter off of ebay and it came with 10 replacement blades. Even with shipping I only paid 20 for the cutter and 10 blades. I think that I got a great deal. But I will save my blades and recycle. Thanks again.

Barb

Steve

Exactly! On the line, or to the side, not both, consistancy is key. I like my Olfa too, and thanks for the recycle link I've bookmarked it as well.

One thing not mentioned thus far is rotary cutter safety: always keep the blade closed when not making a cut. My quilting mantra is: open, cut, close, open, cut, close. It's amazing how sharp those blades are and how easy and quick it is to cut the daylights out of yourself. Being new at quilting I can already tell you that one from experience. You just need to get clumbsy once or get distracted and you'll have blood all over (I wonder when this item will hit a horror movie?).

Repeat it: "Open, cut, close, open, cut, close..." :!:

GiGi

You get what you pay for.