Cutting direction
 

What's the best way to use a rotary cutter? Should one make vertical or horizontal cuts?
I tried searching the archives, but evidently no one has asked this question.

You cut straight forward, away from yourself.

That is generally the best way - especially for a beginner.

I'm right-hand dominant, so I can cut fairly easily straight forward with my rotary cutter on the right hand side of the ruler, and I can also cut from right to left fairly easily with the cutter on the 'far side' of the ruler.

As long as you cut away from yourself, you can cut the fabric in any direction you desire. I have no problem in cutting out circles when I need them.

I recently spent about an hour with a quilting friend, teaching her a piecing technique. She cuts towards herself. Let me tell you, it DROVE ME NUTS!!! And my mom is a beginning quilter, she keeps putting down her cutter with the blade locked open - another thing that drives me nuts! I am getting her a new cutter that closes automatically for Christmas - she is very accident prone and I just know someday she's going to call me from the ER.

Yes, definitely cut AWAY from yourself with the rotary cutter (or any other sharp blade, really). I do as Tartan does with extra yardage on the table to elminate distortion. That said, I also go to the 'far' side of my cutting table to cut the first 'straightening' cut then I don't have to flip fabric to be able to measure from the cut edge for my subsequent cuts.

I think that it is easier to cut verticle than horizontal. When I try to cut horzontal I tend to cut crooked. Always cut away from yourself. Many cutter are adjustable for righty or lefty. I do not use glove like Fons and Porter do. No cut fingers yet (knock on wood)

Maybe you should get it for her NOW?

I do like those that automatically close when the cutter is put down.

Yes..I like my Olfa! I can lock it in ready mode or lock it in closed mode. I don't usually have a problem with cutting a straight line as long as I use a ruler. Most of my cuts have been vertical (away from me) but if I have a small surface to cut on, I will also cut horizontally. I do know it's hard to see where you're cutting when you have the cutter on the far side of the ruler, but I make sure that it's snug against it before cutting.

I cut away from myself but have cut both horizontally and vertically, depending on where I'm standing. Do what's comfortable (and safe :) ) for you.

This how I do it too. Also, with four cats around I close the cutter before I leave the area. I'm afraid one may jump up on the table and knock the cutter off. It would ruin my hardwood floor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXGIbHH1Ydo video tute for beginners

I'm safe to wait until Christmas. She is a gardening nut, absolutely lives in the garden until late November, then Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations and decorating keep her busy. She doesn't break out her quilting and hand embroidery projects until after Christmas.

Can't agree more about the "closing" after every cut -- if you start out reminding yourself every time, it will get to be an unconscious habit.... and PLEASE - wear REAL shoes while cutting.....if for some unknown reason the cutter slips from your grasp - or you forgot to close it and knock it off the table - you won't be in the ER because the blade fell on your unprotected foot !!

It depends on what I'm cutting. Large strip cuts will be vertical and away from me. Small cuts are a toss up. I'm going to get one of those rotating mats recommended in other threads.

The Gypsy Gripper is a good tool to help beginners gain confidence while rotary cutting. My LQS uses them in their beginner classes. It's easy to move the ruler, hold it down in position, and cut. I use one if I know I'm going to be doing some tricky or horizontal cuts.

Sounds good to me - - - :o

Away from yourself and in a manner not likely to injure your hand - i.e. keep fingers etc. behind the blade, not in front.

A friend of mine cuts with her right or left hand. She teaches quilting, and can't be running to the far side of the table to do cutting in front of students.

I have tried cutting with my left hand, using only fabric that is not so important. If I make a mistake on that, I won't care. Trouble is, I don't have enough opportunities to do the practicing, and I am still afraid to try it on my good stuff. Also sometimes I'm just lazy. It's so much easier to just do it with my right hand.

I haven't read everyone's answers -- but here's my view: It's according to table space and size of the project. I just trimmed a 108" wide backing and had to cut from right to left (horizontal?). Usually I cut vertical -- from my belly to the top of the table.

If you go to www.youtube.com and type in "how to use a rotary cutter", you'll find a ton of videos on how to cut. :) Have fun!

I don't close my cutter between every cut but do if I leave it available on the table between cutting sessions because I've realized even teenage grandsons are curious enough to pick it up and "test" the sharpness of the blade!

I sometimes do this, too. The Olfa rotary cutter that converts from right hand to left hand use with a push of the tab is great.

Amend to my prior post....by closing after every cut - i meant when you are shifting fabric, changing fabric, repositioning, etc....something like that...not "every cut" if you are doing 10 strips in a row...if i lay the cutter down, it gets closed. should have said it that way...sorry for the confusion.

I had to think which way I cut....I couldn't control it if i pushed the cutter away from me. I pull the cutter towards me - from the top to the bottom. I also generally cut across the width of the fabric.

I think you need to practice and see which one feels more comfortable for you.

for some reason i like to cut on an angle away from my body.i agree with whoever said , as long as it's away from your body you're ok. some people can cut with either hand. i've tried it, and i can't. strictly right handed.