Mom taught me everything I know and she told me that when I get ready to cut, line the blade with the edge of the ruler and tilt the cutter just a tish. It holds the fabric and the blade in place and you aren't hitting the ruler (dulling the blade) and you are also protecting those busy little fingers. I change blades when I FEEL it is time to. (You generally can tell). I have a sharpener and I turn the blade (which I learned from you) and I manage to use the blade for quite a while. Edie