Cutting Faux Pas
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Highland, CA
Posts: 1,407
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.
Hope this helps.
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern California mountains
Posts: 12,538
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.
#14
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)
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)
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Brisbane, Aust
Posts: 1,498
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..
Not bad for $10.00 you get 6 strips - 2 on your 12" ruler & 4 for your 24" ruler
#18
I agree - Rush8888 covered almost everything I would have told you. I will add two thoughts -
I am right handed so when I cut, the ruler is always on my left and I cut straight ahead starting at the edge of the ruler closest to me. I NEVER cut right to left, left to right nor will I cut on the left side of the ruler.
When I have a long cut, I place my cutter in my right hand and my left hand on the ruler near the edge I plan on cutting. I cut about 5" then without moving the rotary cutter, my left fingers "walk" up the ruler so that they are next to where the next 5 or 6 inches of cut will be. Do I ever not do this? Well yeah - and that is when I get wavy cuts or the ruler slips.
The are several products others mentioned here that you can purchase to put on the back of your ruler to keep it from slipping. All work - I have tried them all but my favorite and something readily available here in the States is plain old Rubber Cement. It is completely clear, cheap and when it gets yucky looking rubs off easily.
Good luck - and OBTW practice makes perfect!
I am right handed so when I cut, the ruler is always on my left and I cut straight ahead starting at the edge of the ruler closest to me. I NEVER cut right to left, left to right nor will I cut on the left side of the ruler.
When I have a long cut, I place my cutter in my right hand and my left hand on the ruler near the edge I plan on cutting. I cut about 5" then without moving the rotary cutter, my left fingers "walk" up the ruler so that they are next to where the next 5 or 6 inches of cut will be. Do I ever not do this? Well yeah - and that is when I get wavy cuts or the ruler slips.
The are several products others mentioned here that you can purchase to put on the back of your ruler to keep it from slipping. All work - I have tried them all but my favorite and something readily available here in the States is plain old Rubber Cement. It is completely clear, cheap and when it gets yucky looking rubs off easily.
Good luck - and OBTW practice makes perfect!
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 538
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!
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!
#20
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
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.
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.
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