Hi , I am a Raw beginner at patchwork, and I live in Australia
I read up all the tips I can find. I have made my first quilt."out of my head" and it is not too bad, I think! I am 80 yrs. young , so hope I can really stay around to make more !

I would like some ideas on the best rotary cutter to get, I bought one, but have trouble cutting through any more thjan one piece of material

Hello, and welcome from Idaho! My favorite rotary cutter is the 60mm Olfa.

Welcome from Melbourne, Victoria.

Welcome from Sunbury.

Welcome to the board from Northern NY.

Hi from Ohio!

I am fairly new too...I have found that I need to change the blades often. I am hoping there is a sharpener to help save the cost of having to get a new blade for every project I do. I am also looking into the machines that cut the materials and patterns. Like the Baby Go, so far I have seen a lot of good comments on this board about the machines.

Welcome Jeannie,Im Dori and Im fairly new here myself..Although Ive been a selftaught quilter I enjoy just thinking about what colors and patterns will go together well...Ive only just started having time for quilting and it brings joy to me everyday..I am 58 and have 8 grandchildren and 3 greatgrandchildren...You'll find everyone very friendly here...

Good morning! i use the 45mm rotary cutter,no special brand, i have several.
you should be able to cut through 4 layers of fabric, maybe the blade is dull already?
i have a seperate cutter i use just for batting, and squaring up the quilt. i think the batting dulls the blade..IMHO

Hi and welcome from rainy Queensland.

Welcome!

I like the Olfa Deluxe Rotary Cutter as it has an ergononically designed handle & the blade automatically closes when you release your grip - a great safety feature if you happen to drop the cutter. Check this site for a picture. I cut at least 4 layers frequently & seldom use my blade sharpener. I think the blade closing automatically saves it from nicks.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ADBF&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=6893584314794472125&ei=DD-4TMXoAcH6lwf_4PS5DA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result &ct=image&resnum=3&ved=0CDoQ8gIwAg#

Hello and welcome from Ontario.

"My favorite rotary cutter is the 60mm Olfa"

My sentiments exactly!

Welcome Jennie, I live in Lexington,Kentucky. I'm 71, and just getting back into sewing and I am learning so much here about quilt making. These Quilt Board members have so much information to share, and they are all so kind and helpful.

Welcome from NY State. I also use an Olfa 45mm cutter and have no trouble cutting through 4 layers. I don't change the blade as often as I should. Usually when it starts skipping a few threads consistently. Then once I do change it I am amazed at how much better it cuts! :lol:

Hi Jeannie! :) Welcome from Minnesota US!

Hello from WV and Welcome to the group
jazs2

Welcome from Iowa. I have a 45mm Fiskar that works well for me. A SHARP blade is the necessity here. :-)

Glad you've joined us! Each one contributes to the other...we're richer by having YOU here! :thumbup: Welcome from Missouri, USA

Hello and welcome from northern California!

welcome aboard jeannie. i use both olfa and fiskar cutters in all sizes. so long as the blade is sharp i can always cut through at least 4 layers. sometimes with a sharp 60mm i can even get 6 layers.
my friend has trouble because she doesn't keep the blade straight up and down next to the ruler. be sure it is not leaning when you cut. get up over the top of the piece so you can really see where the blade is and bear down evenly as you cut.
hope this is helpful. keep quilting

janet - hey neighbor. i am in sacramento.

Welcome from North Central Missouri, USA. People here on this board are very wonderful with hints and help and produce beautiful quilts and crafts.

Hello and welcome from upstate NY..

Hi and welcome from western Nevada! I use a Martelli 60mm Ergonomic, left handed. I find the hand position lets me easily keep the blade square to the ruler in both axis', which is important in keeping the blade sharp. It also lets me easily keep proper pressure on the cut as it allows contact above the blade. The Martelli blades seem to stay sharp a long time as well.

Welcome from Louisiana!

Welcome

well, one time I put two blades in my cutter ! they are so thin. wouldn't cut worth a darn. entertained all at Sew DAy !
you should be able to easily cut through 4 layers. maybe you are trying too hard. it takes even pressure, but you should not have to lean into the cut. straight not tipped blade. and maybe you are tightening the screw too much & your blade just can not move easily.
I think the cutters with the self-closing blade are worth their weight in gold for safety reasons. I use the 60mm for almost everything. however, 60mm may be harder to use on just one layer of fabric. practice on scrap fabric. also, do not get one of the white cutting mats. dulls blades.

well, one time I put two blades in my cutter ! they are so thin. wouldn't cut worth a darn. entertained all at Sew DAy !
you should be able to easily cut through 4 layers. maybe you are trying too hard. it takes even pressure, but you should not have to lean into the cut. straight not tipped blade. and maybe you are tightening the screw too much & your blade just can not move easily.
I think the cutters with the self-closing blade are worth their weight in gold for safety reasons. I use the 60mm for almost everything. however, 60mm may be harder to use on just one layer of fabric. practice on scrap fabric. also, do not get one of the white cutting mats. dulls blades.

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

Hello and welcome from SW Iowa. Glad to have you here.

Thank you Sadiemay, I will keep that in mind, and look around in Oz

Nice to meet you Patti

Hello and welcome jeanniep...from Perth, Western Australia...there's quite a few Aussies here, nice to have another.

Glad to meet you, happy quilting

lovely earthmover ! Great to meet an Aussie !I am Victorian

Thank you smitty