Cutting Apple Core template with rotary cutter :(((
 

OMG .... I was just sooo excited to finally get a few minutes to try out the Apple Core Template (from Etsy.com) and my new smaller rotary cutter (recommended).

I have a 5 inch template, and want to use a 6 inch charm pack from Kaffe Fassett (gorgeous ~ in blues/aquas/purples).

Sooo, I thought that just maybe I'd better practice first. Whoa!!!! Is there a LEARNING CURVE to use the rotary cutter on the Apple Core template???? I was all over the place with my cuts :( And, of course, even marred the new template.

Are there brands of templates better than others??? It is a heavy plastic, about 1/8" thick and very sturdy. Was less $$$$ than the brand-name ones in stores.

So, do I just need to PRACTICE??? Or is the better way, to trace around with a pencil and then cut with scissors???

HELP!!! I so wanted to get a chance to see how these sew together!!!

jody

Tartan .... it's NOT that the template moved on me ... it's like I was an inexperienced driver going around a curve!!! lol

I could not even seem to cut NEXT to the template, and then I was cutting AWAY FROM the template!!!! All jagged :(

I am sooo disappointed, as I thought this would be a quick, easy fun quilt to make!!! I have had no problems using a rotary cutter when cutting blocks for my rag quilts .... and I guess I thought this would be just as easy!!

Guess I'd better go practice!

jody

what size cutter are you using? i use my 18mm one for curved templates fairly successfully= it does take some practice - use some scraps & only 1-2 layers of fabric at a time- after a few trials you will get the hang of it...then you will wonder why it was so hard at first----do you remember the first time you tried to use a rotory cutter? my first time with a straight ruler was not so straight-or easy- i have found if the cutter is too large though it is easier to just trace around the template then cut out the shapes- you really do need a small cutter for curves.

ckcowl ... I bought one with a 28mm blade (Fiskars) .... but I did notice that JoAnn's had a smaller one than this!!! Well, IF and when I get a coupon, maybe I'll get the smaller one and try that!

And I did try using just 2 layers ... then went to one!! Yikes!!! Sure need to practice.

But right now, I am *trying* to get our space BR cleaned so I can turn it into my sewing room ... almost there :)

Where in northern MI are you??? I am near Bay City/Saginaw/Midland .... by northern, do you mean in the U.P.????

jody

Try turning the cutter around--sometimes the little "screw" that attaches the blade to the handle won't let you get close to the ruler.

I, too, am having trouble learning to use an 18 mm rotary cutter. Does the fact that I am left handed make a difference? Probably I am just a slow learner. I usually just give up and use my 45 mm cutter.

I had problems, too. I found it easier to trace around the template on a piece of fabric, then layer the fabrics about 4 deep and cut on the lines.

Of course, after I bought the apple core die that goes with my Accuquilt Go, it's MUCH easier now! :D

That's what I do also......draw on the fabric piece using the template, then cut on the line with the tiny rotary cutter when I remove the template.

Jan in VA

i think you need to switch the blade to the other side. try that and see if it works better for you.

Yes, me too. Altho the initial investment of the GO may seem taunting (must shop around!) and the cost of the dies (there too, shop around!)in a long run it makes life soooo much easier.....I am working on a scrappy applecore with large applecore die cuts and it is funnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!

I have to admit, I thought the Accuquilt Go a frivolous luxury ... and NOW I am *rethinking* this!!! I seem to be spending a small fortune on rulers/templates, etc., a little $$$ at a time, where as the Accuquilt Go is LOTS of $$$ at a time ... just *might* catch up to the cost of the others. Plus, I see they have a rag quilt die cut ... and that would be great!!!

Thanks Peckish for planting that seed in my thoughts!!!! lol Just what I need, something *big* to wish for!!! But I'm thinking it just might be worth it!!!

jody

I use the Accucut Go. The Go Baby is super nice to start with. I rarely use my rotary cutter anymore. I use scissors or rip to cut the approx size of the fabric I need for the dies. I have the apple core die. I cut enough apple core shapes for a guild member to make a queen size quilt in about 30 min. This included having to cut the fabric to fit the die and starching and ironing it. I'll never go back to cutting around templates.

There are several different brands of machines, at several price points. For instance, the Accuquilt Go! is $349, and the Baby is $139. Or you could go with the Sizzix, which I'm less familiar with, and I believe it only cuts applique shapes.

You might check out the Yahoo group "pinsandneedles1". The owner of the group has the best prices I've found anywhere for dies! She can't sell the machines, but she sells everything else.

Also, check out Ebony Love's website and blog at http://www.lovebugstudios.com/. She has a TON of information about dies, die cutters, and what to do with them.

Well, I shopped at JoAnn's and bought the 18mm rotary cutter with the small turning cutting matt .... :((( Still I could not get this to work!!!! So, now I've spent about $35 *trying* to cut these things out :(

And, because I have lots more time than $$$, I am simply tracing around the template (after I put the Invisigrip on it) and then cutting them out (scissor wise!). I think I might have 5 charm packs and may throw in a few other fat quarters that match good .... so this will not be a big *anything*!!! Thinking a small throw.

Thanks for all the advice, and if I didn't want/need a sewing table for my Janome 6600 I would buy the AccuQuilt Go in a heartbeat :)

jody