Ok, still being a newbie in the quilting world, I honestly do not know the answer. Is there an advantage to using a 60mm rotary cutter over using a 45mm? Does the 60mm cut through more layers of fabric more easily than the 45mm? I ask, because I am always trying to figure out better and less time consuming ways to cut. Thank you in advance. :)

I have both but use my 45 most of the time esp. since I found rotary blades at harbor freight for really cheap.I also don't cut more than 2 layers at a time because I have learned the hard way that one of the most important things you do it cut accurately!Nothing else matters if your cut is not spot on!

I was actually hoping that the 60mm might eliminate the little dips in the fold of the fabric when cutting more than 1 layer at a time. I will not use anything that does not have straight sides, therefore I end up with more fabric waste than I want.

I use the 60mm. It seems to be easier on my hand and wrist.

It won't eliminate the dips,I could be wrong and I am not sure why the dips occur in long pieces.I know if I cut 12 in. or less I don't get dips.

45mm blades are a lot cheaper than 60mm ones. 60mm are usually used when cutting many layers of fabrics. You get the dips when the folds are not straight--doesn't matter what size blades if the folds are not straight.

28 mm here, didn't care for the larger blades, to me less control, 8 layers no problem.
But that's what I started with, could be why.

great, thanks for the info. funny thing is i thought my folds were straight, but i guess that is what i get for thinking. lol so, i suppose my next question would be "how do i ensure the folds are straight". i spend the extra time to sooth, sooth, and resooth the layers and folds out. what is the trick? :)

I use both but yes, the larger ones are more expensive. I use my 60 a lot more I noticed.
It cuts so easily for me.

45mm is just a smaller blade to cut thru a few layers.. the 60mm will cut thru quite a few more layers than the 45mm. its all a matter of preference. Some think the 45 is easier to handler and others like the amount of fabric the 60mm will cut.. I have both and the 28mm for smaller cuttings that are more rounded.. Its a try it and see kinda deal..

I have one of each for sale if anyone is interested (listed in the classifieds..found them when I was cleaning my sewing room)

Quick Change Olfa 45mm & a 60mm

You just have to make sure the fold on top and the fold underneath are together and straight. You also have to make sure your ruler is straight also. I'll look and see if I can find a tutorial on avoiding the dips.

This article shows how to make sure your folds are lined up correctly: http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles...straight.shtml

I have both, but prefer the 45. I just seem to be able to control it better. May be all in my mind.

I started with the 45 and it is still my favorites.

Dips? The elbows at the fold? You have to get those selvage edges lined up to avoid elbows.

If it's in your budget, invest in both the 45mm and 60mm rotary cutters. You'll use the 45mm for cutting, trimming, squaring up, etc. The blades are less expensive and easier to find. Change those blades often. Dull blades make for grumpy quilters.

The 60mm would be great for multiple layers, trimming quilt sandwiches, and more. If you can only invest in one cutter, get the 45mm and buy lots of spare blades.

I'm currently testing out the Martelli cutter and it's been great so far. Less wear and tear on my wrist.

I've been quilting 20 yrs and never used the 60mm. and hardly used the smaller one 10mm i think it is. i use that to rip out stitches when necessary. mostly use the 45mm one for everything.

i had the same problem (sew in a motorhome w/no slides) when i ask the lady at lqs and she said to make sure and put pressure where the fold is and it will help. so far it has helped with my cuts.

I use a 45mm one, and love it! I feel I have better control, and can cut at least 8 layers of fabrics no problem. An added plus is that you can buy blades at Harbor Freight at a very decent price!!

I prefer the 60mm, but I have several sizes.

I prefer the 60mm also for the same reason.

I use to have that problem. I solved it by buying a bigger cutting mat so I only have 1 fold. It may take me longer to get everything cut, but at least there is no more waste. I still use the 60mm cutter. That is what I started with and still use even though I'm only cutting 2 layers.

I use the 45mm blade. I also use the Fiskars handle that is a lot easier on my hands than the upright ones.
I seldom cut more than 4 layers at a time because I find the fabric shifts unless I put a LOT of pressure on my ruler.

I quit making cutting mistakes when I purchased my Altos Quilt Cut.

http://www.quiltcut.com/index.html

I have both. Mostly use 60mm.

have been using both the 45 and the 28 ...... but i tend to get carried away with the larger cutters, and put notches in my fingers ..... specially with the larger blades. have just got an 18mm cutter and gonna give it a try and try saving my fingers. and fingernails. it would probably behoove me to change my hold on the ruler, though

Do any of you who have orders for blades from Harbor Freight that are on backorder received them yet? I haven't. I just emailed them to ask about it though.

i have 3 sizes..use the 45mm the most. the 60mm,i use when working with fleece. i still don't cut anymore than 4 layers at a time.

the 60mm cutter is good for cutting thicker/heavier fabrics, like layers of flannel; the little dips you get when you cut folded fabric is from your fabric not being folded straight
it may 'seem' straight but if it is not on-grain (the salvage edges are not always straight and should not be used to square up, the salvages should be removed, then square up the fabric using the fold as your straight edge making sure everything is straight and you will not get little v's in your cut edges even if you have 3 or 4 folds.

That is what I do. My mat is long enough (24 inches) that I only have one fold. I iron that crisp, and make sure that my ruler is lined up along that fold. I also check about every 5-6 cuts to make sure the edge is still straight with the fold, and re-square as needed. It makes a big difference.

Boy did I learn a lesson (the hard way), cutting strips for my log cabin 1 1/2 inch. Got tired and cut 6 layers at a time. Hope they all fit

The little dips have more to do with the folding than the cutting.

When the directions say to fold selvage to selvage - I fold it so there are no diagonal folds/creases/pulls in the fabric - so sometimes the ends are very uneven. Washing frequently lets fabric "relax" a bit and do its own thing. Sometimes fabric gets skewed while being processed.

I have always used45mm -shopping at walmart one day and they had 60mm blades 50% off so I bought 3 the bought the cutter -I prefer the 60mm now.

I have used the 60 mm one for cutting thru batting, trimming the sides of a quilt after quilting, and even cutting heavier fabrics. But most of the time I use the 45 mm one. As someone pointed out, blades are cheaper for the 45 than the 60.

I usually use whichever one I find first.

Starch and press your fabric before cutting improves cutting accuracy. Helps prevent bias from stretching and also makes cutting for mini quilt pieces and applique pieces more accurate and easier to work with.

Good information. I use 60 mm and to get straight of grain I fold fabric then line up the bottom folded edge on the bottom of the cutting mat, then using the lines on the cutting mat line up a ruler to make your first cut on a straight line sliding the ruler towards the cutting edge then cut across the fold to the open edge. You might lose an inch of fabtic to get a straight line, If i need 2 inch pieces I cut 6 inches then slide the ruler to the 4 then 2 this keeps the fabric together and you get more cuts without lifting the ruler or fabric. Hope this makes sense. Use the mat and your ruler as a cutting guide.

thanks guys for all the tips and pointers. will see which one works for me. :)

I have both but like the 60mm best for control. It won't eliminate dips. There ways to do that - Harriet says to starch first - I have found that pressing first helps - good luck

When making straight cuts you also have to remember the width of your ruler matters too. I fold my fabric twice so I have four layers. I line up the top of the ruler at 1/2" and the bottom must line up on any line at the bottom. If both don't line up then the fabric isn't folded straight. Also if the ruler is only 6" wide that is all you've squared up. Ex: you want to cut 8 2" strips. The first three cuts are square if you started correctly. Then move the ruler so the whole ruler is on the fabric and trim the cut edge after you line up the ruler at top and bottom. Then you can make three more strips. What I'm trying to say (I sure I've made it as clear as mud) is the wider the ruler the more cuts you can make without double checking the cut edge. Most of the time I use my 12 1/2" square ruler so I can make more cuts before squaring my cutting edge another time. Hope I've helped and not made you say "what is she talking about?" Later today I'll see if I can find the tutorial. I think it's the one Alex Anderson did.
Oh, and to answer you're question I use my 60mm most. Have all sizes but like it the best.

Use the 45 and the 18 mm for intricate cutting. I always pre wash the fabric, and press before cutting, thus it is clean, I know if it will run, it is pre shrunk, and not bolt wrinkles. Takes more time, but I feel it is worth it in the final product, since all fabrics do not shrink at the same rate, etc.

Those dips are not due to your cutter, it is the fabric. When you carefully line up the fabric for that first cut you make sure it is lined up at a true 90 degree angle. However as you make subsequent cuts the angle gets smudged. You have to realign the fabric every two or three cuts to avoid the wonky strip. The reason the shorter cuts are not wonky is there is less risk of getting out of alignment. I hope I am being clear, and not confusing you. I line up the bottom fold of the fabric and the side I am going to cut on the square on the cutting mat. If you get a wonky strip, check the alignment and you will see you are cutting a piece that is not on the square. Re trim and go forward.