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Left Handed Quilter needs tools

Left Handed Quilter needs tools

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Old 10-02-2009, 08:31 PM
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I am new to quilting and wondered if they made left-handed rulers and rotary cutters ofr us "lefties"

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Old 10-02-2009, 08:34 PM
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I use my rotary cutter in either hand. Whichever is easiest to reach the area with.
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Old 10-02-2009, 08:59 PM
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The rulers work with either hand . I use mine with either hand, also the cutter. The only thing that might be hand specific is the scissors ?
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Old 10-02-2009, 09:06 PM
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As a "lefty" you will hold your ruler with the right hand and cut with the left along the left edge.
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Old 10-02-2009, 09:28 PM
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Thanks for all the information, but the numbers run from the right side of the rulers. Why don't they make a left handed ruler?
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Old 10-02-2009, 10:14 PM
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For your cutter you can change the side that the blade is on to make it easier for a left handed person to use.

Every ruler I have has the numbers going both ways. If not flip it over it might have them in reverse on the back!!!
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Old 10-03-2009, 03:30 AM
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Welcome from northeast CA. Glad you joined us. For your rotary cutter, at least for Olfa's, you can switch the blade side, usually they're set up for right hands, so just switch everything to the other side. As for scissors, I prefer the brand(can't think of it now) that has a spring in the handle, they're designed for either left or right. We love pictures.
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Old 10-03-2009, 04:06 AM
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Being a lefty in a righty world, I found the best thing I have is a ruler with a lip on it- to provide support for cutting. Line the lip up with the end of the cutting mat, it provides some extra "holding power" as you cut.

Scissors- I use Gingher scissors, since they are righty scissors (I never could get the grip of using lefty scissors) but very good quality, they slice like butter through the fabric.

I guess I trained my brain to "think" backwards with the numbers on the ruler- one trick I use is to turn the ruler to measure where I need it to be, notate in brain where it is on the cutting mat, then turn the ruler so I can cut, using the cutting mat as the giude. This is where the "measure twice, cut once" rule comes into effect, since there is greater chance for error. I've done the old 1" measurement error more than once over the years. But it works because the ruler is anchored and won't slip (referencing the lip ruler above).

Good luck!
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Old 10-03-2009, 04:32 AM
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The only thing I have found that is not left handed friendly is the
Fiskars rotory cutting, but it can be switched to the other side. And of course scissors.
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Old 10-03-2009, 07:01 AM
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Here is a site with left handed tools. My son is a lefty and had a ruler way back when!LOL I just did a google search for left handed ruler.

http://www.ozquilts.com.au/matildas-...er-p10034.html
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