lindaschipper

Rotate your cutting mat ( do not flip over) and try cutting in a new spot.

maviskw

Sometimes when I notice that my blade isn't working right, and am too lazy or too busy to change it right now, I just make each cut twice. That almost always works until I can get to changing the blade.

Iceblossom

I'm also thinking it might be a mat problem.

We aren't supposed to use the lines on the mats, but they are so handy and it seems like the reasonable thing to do. When I teach a new quilter the first thing I do is turn the mat over to the unmarked back and show them how to use the rulers correctly.

Position your fabric all different directions all over the board, I should do more towards the side but usually wear out the middle because that's where I cut most.

When it is just the one thread, I will do two cuts until I get too annoyed. I recently changed all the blades on all my cutters. Then, I just trashed one of the brand new ones crunching it over my ruler. Oh well, that's why I buy them in the 5 packs. Sure, it feels expensive but add up all the repetitive motions and the annoyance of shredding fabric/rough edges when you go way too long and a fresh blade is one of the cheapest ways we can improve our workmanship.

Onebyone

To have a dead spot all the time it is the mat or table surface. At our sew day we have the plastic folding tables and one of them would not let a rotary cutter cut at all. It was so odd. We have that table marked for not for rotary cutting. And the other tables work fine and they all look alike. I guess there are low spots in the table surface that aren't noticeable.

tranum

Sometimes I bring my mat to the kitchen and use the peninsula as a cutting table. I’ve discovered evidently there’s a slight “dip” above the dishwasher so if I stand on the end I get no issues whatsoever.

bakermom

try using a different part of the mat. i find i use the same area and find skips in my cuts. Switching to a different spot solves my problem.

Stitchnripper

Yes, that is what I meant about the common white tables. There is a dip or they bow a little with pressure. sometimes it isn't the blade or the mat, but what the surface is underneath. I found some cabinet ends at ikea which I put under my mats, problem solved, but, any very stable surface would work.

juliasb

I discovered a number of years ago that nicking a blade was so easy or having dead spots were routine no matter how cheap or expensive the blade or the rotary cutter. I have a number or dead rotary cutters that cost a lot of money and so I have gone to using the least expensive cutters and blades I can find and that has worked for me. I have also used sharpeners that on more expensive blades gave a bit more life but became an active of futility. The blades just were not as sharp and a new blade.
Then I discovered Harbor Freight. I can get blades there for a carpet cutter that are just the same size and my rotary cutter and identical blade as my rotary cutter. They are sharp and sturdy and they cost $2 for a pack of 2. Far less cost all the way around. Now they don't last as long but if one gets a nick I am not to worry about the loss of a blade. I can usually get a couple full size or larger quilts out of a single $1 blade. I will go in and buy 5-10 packages at a time that last for a couple years and still have spend less than a single pack of the expensive blades at JAF.

Peckish

Just curious - why not? I flip mine over all the time....?

Stitchnripper

ah yes the Harbor Freight blades. I use them too in rotation with other blades. We have discussed them over the years and many love them and many have had bad experiences. Once in a while I get a bad one