I did let my 9yr old GD use the rotary cutter but, I was right there watching and cautioning when she started to handle it wrong. She learned it fine.

Geez Louise have you ever seen the cut a rotary cutter can inflict? You know her better than the rest of us, but I'd feel so bad if she hurt herself. Someone made a good point about sticking to something small. I think this is good advice. (Since your asking).

Okay... may get flamed, but...

I could shot a gun at 10 years old. What is a rotary cutter to that?

Explain safety to her, and be there while she does it. But... kids drive at 15, I would hope they could safely use a rotary cutter before they are old enough to drive.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Tell her exactly how dangerous a rotary cutter can be, how easy it is to really hurt yourself with it, show her how to use it safely and let her cut out the pieces only with you standing next to her. My youngest piecer was 8 years old!

let her go; when my daughter was 9 I went to AQS for a week, when I got back, she rotary cut and sewed all the blocks together, all I had to do was teach her to tie the quilt - she earned 1st place in the jr division at the country fair.

NO NO NO!!!! We do not want a severed finger.They seem so grown up but they are just children. I would do the cutting but you know what's best in her case.

I was in a 4H sewing club at 10, and the love of sewing never left. You are so lucky to have a granddaughter who shares your interest. Good for you. I'm sure you will be careful with her rotary lessons. She'll be fine.

No you are not over protective. This coming from an adult who cut the side of her finger off. Still scares me to use a rotary cutter.
Robin in TX

I was using butcher knives in the house and saws outside when I was 10, not to mention ice picks, needles and scissors. She knows sharp can hurt.

Much depends on the child.
I taught my GDs when they were 8 & 11. Because of a tendency to get into 'shoving matches', I have never given them a rotary cutter for their sewing supplies. I'll wait until they mature & calm down.

10 Is not too young. At 10 you are still very smart. If you wait till shes 18 you loose your intelligence as most teenagers think they know it all until they have their own kids. Plus at 18 they're invincible and don't have the fearful respect you can instill in a 10 year old. STRESS how extremely sharp the blade is over and over and let her see your worry. Tell her she can cut only as long as she cuts with you there and only if she cuts as you say. Next make sure she has a brand new blade to make cutting easier because as you know more force is applied with a more dull blade which is what could cause an accident. (Learned that at work and it is true!!!)

Of course you are not being an over protective GM, just a careful one. With your help and care I'm sure she will be okay. I teach quilting and since my ladies are different heights I have there different cutting stations at different levels. Make sure you cutting station is the right height for your GD and it will be easier for her.

Great approach!

I agree with you. I was using axes, butcher knives, tradle sewing machines and wringer washers. Outside of my sister rolling out my arm a couple times with the washer, I survived with nary a mark.

IMO--------------if you have a kiddo excited about a craft, do not put up any barriers to continuing to learn. Safety is easily explained. If you keep telling her she had to wait until she's older, she may just quit!

I think I would start her out on something simple like a doll quilt. It would be boring for a child that age to cut out squares for a full size quilt.

get her a cutting glove which will protect her free hand. Just saw on on Quilty today.

get her a cutting glove which will protect her free hand. Just saw on on Quilty today.

get her a glove and then stand over her while she is cutting.... She can do it!!! and so can you!!

Well I'm scared.

My girl are 10 and 12 and they've each been sewing for a couple of years. They've made sock creatures, mug rugs, doll quilts, lap quilts. However, I cut using the rotary cutter for them and when they cut they use scissors.

I'm 40 y.o., I've been around sharp things (axes, blades, etc) all my life. I'm very careful, very adept at cutting with rotary cutter.

Tuesday night I cut the tip of my finger off. It just took a moment, someone watching me would never have known that my attention wandered for just that second, I broke concentration for a moment to wonder if I had enough fabric left on the section I was cutting (it was a WOF at 4.5 inches that I was cutting into 4.5 inch blocks) to cut one more square.

I lost part of the tip, part of my nail and nailbed and a good piece of the corner of my finger. Unfortunately it is my left hand, index finger. I'm left handed. It'll heal but I'm off work for a week, every thing I do, I do with my left hand, except hold the rotary cutter.

it's ok to not let your granddaughter use the rotary cutter...do the cutting for her, let her use scissors.

My cutter didn't even stop, just kept going and it was all over so quickly, there is no way you would be able to stop someone from cutting themselves.

So, do what you think is best, don't be afraid to err on the side of caution...my girls have no problems using their scissors and they do a lot of sewing.

(ps: my daughter had to blog for me, in case you wanted to read, it's not graphic!!!! just her perspective. www.quiltingunderthemidnightsun.blogspot.com )