Can you use a cookie cutter on fabric?
 

I want to cut several small pieces into butterfly shapes. I do not have a Go Baby, or Accu Quilt or some such thing.
I know basically these work like a past machine, the cutting dies are hidden in foam until they are rolled through the machine, which presses down the foam, exposing the cutting edges of the die. I wonder, could you use a cookie cutter and a rolling pin for a few shapes? Probably the coookie cutter wouldn't hold up to much pressure, so not a good long term answer. And the rolling pin would need be a sacrificial one as it would get marks you may not want when you are trying to roll pastry. But, for a short term project - would this work? Have you tried it?

Perhaps I don't completely understand what you are trying to do, but my cookie cutters are not sharp enought to cut fabric. It would be more tedious, but you could trace around the cutter, and then cut out the shape with scissors.

I don't think it would work. The cookie cutter edges are sharp, but not sharp the way die cutting edges are sharp. Also, I'm sure the material used for metal cookie cutters is softer than that used in dies. The machines use a mat between the fabric and roller too.

Are you thinking in terms of fusible applique shapes? Your method might work well enough to create indentations in the fabric which you could then cut out with scissors. Otherwise you can draw the shapes on freezer paper, iron the freezer paper to the right side of your fabric, iron fusible to the wrong side of the fabric, then cut with scissors along the freezer paper shapes and peel off the freezer paper.

I did forget to mention the mat. I am wanting dozens and dozens (if not hundreds) of small butterfly shapes and just trying to find a way to easily/quickly cut them. I had thought of taking a file to the edges to make them sharper???

I think the concept is the same as for a die-cutter.

However, the tools you want to use seem don't seem adequate for the task.

A bit like using a plastic picnic knife when what you really need is a razor sharp butcher knife to cut through the gristle.

Try it yourself and see how it works. Maybe your cookie cutters have sharper edges than mine.

Just order these and be done with it.

http://www.keepsakequilting.com/productdetail/5682.htm

Have you checked on line to see if some company/ shop may sell that shape in precuts? I do remember seeing some precut shapes - hearts, circles... for sale in some catalog......connecting threads,Nancy's notions, etc...?

Seems like a money and time saving solution if this is a one-time project!!!

I was also going to suggest pre-cuts. I think that is the only way to go!

The blades in die cutter dies are hardened steel. Your cookie cutters are just not going to cut it!

I had thought about something like this, but really need it out of a certain fabric to match the quilt top. Great idea though! Thanks. I may just need get my grandkids busy helping me! LOL

I like that comparison! Ha, ha.

I don't think cookie cutters would be sharp enough or hard enough to cut through fabric.

ooo - look what I just found! haven't read it all yet.....

http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-cutting-dies/

And:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4613134_die-cutter.html
http://milwaukeemakerspace.org/2013/06/5988/

Do you have a friend who has an AccuQuilt? You could do what I did and purchase the die, then gave it to her as a thank you. I know that if I ever want to make another Dresden plate quilt, she has the die and I won't have to cut the blades by hand.

I traced around one shaped like a doggie bone, but I do not think it would cut into fabric the way you want. You are probably better off cutting around them with sharp scissors.

Check with a LQS, they may be able to help. I know one near me has the Accuquilt and for a charge will cut any fabric for you.

Check eBay. I've seen butterfly fabric cutouts there before.

That is a good idea! I will call around.

I had thought of buying a die to give to a friend, but I can't afford $50-$75 for a one time "extra" on a quilt.

I must use fabric I have, otherwise I would love to buy some of those precuts from Keepsake Quilting etc.

You can make your own like in the links shown above. It works, but precuts are still easier. Sadly, easier isn't always the answer, so give it a whirl.

I have been working on some Judy Niemeyer Paper piecing patterns. I have been cutting through 12 layers of fabric with my 45 & 60 degree cutters. These are straight lines. I can cut 6-8 if the cutting lines are curved. If you trace your pattern onto freezer paper, you should be able to iron the pattern onto the top piece of material and then pin the rest of the pieces to it, then easily cut at least 6 to 8 at a time with a rotary cutter.

Remember if you don't cut the fabric with something sharp enough, the cutter would probably damage the fabric. I would consider the time involved and how much you'd charge someone to do that kind of tedious work. $50-75 might end up sounding darn cheap .

And before anyone asks, those large paper punches used by scrapbookers don't work on fabric, not even on fabric with fusible web on it. They jam up and are a real bear to get unjammed.

Some etsy.com vendors will do custom orders. Might be worth it to ask around some of the "stores" that offer pre-cuts to see if they would allow you to send them your fabric to be cut into the desired shape.

You also might check around in your area. Ask at your local LQS & quilting guilds to see if there might be someone that would be willing to either sell you a bit of time on their machine or barter with you. I know there is a lady not too far from where I live that has a die cut machine & hundreds of die cuts. Last I checked, she let people come in & pick out the die & then charged them by the piece to cut it using their own fabric. Only thing you have to be careful about with that is most of the time they do that for paper & I have to wonder if the blades would dull (like scissors or rotary blades) if they've been used a bunch on paper first.

I bought a Cricut machine with specific dies solely for the purpose of cutting shapes, letters, etc. out of fabric. Tutorials are online. With the Cricut I also have designated Cricut mats and blades I use for paper cutting only. So its purpose is twofold.

Cookie cutters are not sharp enough to cut fabric, but you can trace around them and then cut out with sharp scissors. The result should be basically the same. If you have a local quilt shop check to see if they have a cutter that you could use.I believe our local one offers one free of charge to its customers.

I don't think cookie cutters would be sharp enough to cut through fabric. I do however, think you were very clever to think of it.

I don't think it would work either since cookie cutters are made to cut cookie dough. You could use them to trace the design on your fabric especially if you are using fusible with a paper backing which is perfect for tracing onto.

I've never tried it;but somehow I don't think it would be sharp enough.

There is a reason why they are called cookie cutters. I have used them as templates for paper. Just take a cookie cutter and try to cut a piece of paper or fabric and see how it works for you. Pretty sure not. If you're wanting to use them as applique for a one time project then like feline fanatic stated. Go to keepsake. Maybe you can get a few friends to help you cut them up or any member of the family/friends.

I used a gingerbread man cookie cutter but what I did was draw around it and cut out with scissors. I don't think a cookie cutter is sharp enough to cut fabric. I have an accu go and those blades are sharp as a rotary cutter!

If you lived closer to me I'd cut them out for you. I have three sizes of butterflies. Your best bet is to find someone with the machine that can do it for you.

Wow, you could be my new best friend! If we did live closer, I would take you up on it!

I think I have decided to just cut them by hand - until I get exhausted, then make a die for the next time I might want to use this.

I agree with feline fanatic, much easier

I think she wants these butterflies to be out of a certain material that she has.

Maybe someone could offer to cut them for her for $x or a fabric trade or something?

Cookie cutters will not cut the material, but there is no reason why you cannot use them to make patterns. Trace the shape onto cardboard, add a seam allowance (if desired), trace onto your fabric and cut. You can also trace onto freezer paper, iron onto your fabric, and then cut.

If you got a water color ink pad, you could use your cookie cutters as stamps but you would still have to cut them out. Just remember that anything you use around any chemical (ink) should never again live in your kitchen.

Maybe the two of you could work together through the mail?

I don't see the problem - if something has been thoroughly cleaned - why not bring it back into one's kitchen?

If you think about the FOOD we eat - most of it has been grown in DIRT, or lived in less than sterile conditions,

and then who knows what else was done to it from the time it was harvested until it hits out mouths.