For straight, long cuts ( cutting yardage, long cuts, straight cuts) for me rotary cutting is faster and more accurate.But, certainly not mandatory. Before the rotary cutter became a ( staple) in our tool kit thousands and thousands of quilts were created using only scissors.... And, can certainly be as accurate ( or more accurate). Using a rotary cutter doesn't guarantee precision, many bad cuts are made with them. Scissors work just fine. You don't have to buy special tools to make a quilt. Scissors, pins, needles and thread and, fabric of course is really all you need.