I read somewhere when cutting your fabric using a rotary cutter, if you are right handed to start cutting from the left and vise versa if you are left handed. Why? Does it make a difference? Also when cutting strips do you use your cutting mats marks for the width you want or go by the ruler?
Make sense?

Thanks, Kris

I am right handed so I cut with the bulk of my fabric off to the right otherwise I'd have to cross over my arm.

I go by my ruler.

When cutting, I do what is easiest, and I always use my rulers, and not my mat. I am afraid the mat won't be as accurate.

I am right handed and cut with the bulk to my left.
I use rulers not mat lines.
Kirsten

I am left handed, I cut with the bulk to my right. I guess I am different! I use the ruler as my measure guide.

I am right handed and cut with the bulk to my right.

Kyia

I'm right handed and have been cutting with the bulk to the left and cutting on the right side of the ruler, using the mat lines. But now that I think of it, I think I like the idea of having the bulk on the right and using the ruler lines to measure by. I think I'll give that a try next time I slice.

I usually measure with my ruler - the fabric that I'm measuring and want to cut off is under the ruler before I cut it off.

I cut from right to left because I am right-hand dominant. Or away from my body.

Occasionally, on small pieces, I can cut the other two directions, but it's awkward for me.

I do as well - but use the ruler and mat lines and cut from bottom (nearest me) to top (furthest away)

I actually use two rulers and have the bulk of my fabric to the left. I have my straight edge of fabric then I use one ruler to measure , then butt the second ruller up against the measuring ruler and then cut . So basically the second ruler is used as a straight edge. Does that make sense :roll:
Sharon

I am also right handed & cut with
the bulk of my fabric on the right!!
I didn't realize you could do it any
different. I always use my ruler for
a guide with cutting.
:D :D :D :D :D

I am left handed but I cut with either hand or on either side & the bulk of my fabric on whichever side I am cutting from. It just depends on what I am doing at the time. I used to use the mat as my guide but then I started using my ruler and noticed that my pieces were more accurate. For some reason it just never occured to me that the mat lines might be off.

I've taken a couple quilting classes with the same instructor, and she's pretty adamant about never using the mat lines for accurate cutting. I just wish my precision was such that it mattered!

Renee

I'm right handed, the bulk of my fabric is to the right as well. I really don't use the mat line, just the ruler lines.

Right handed....cut with the bulk to the right...and always use the SAME ruler to measure (per quilt)...they all vary. So whether you use the mat or a ruler...just be sure you use the same thing throughout and you should be fine.

After I trim to square off the edge, I flip it around so the bulk of fabric is to my right. I use the ruler for measuring. I do use the mat lines if I have to cut something larger than the ruler's width.

I would think if you ONLY used the mat's lines, after a time the lines would disappear and you'd have numerous grooves that your cutter could end up in and distort your cut.

I cut from the right using my right hand when using my mat. When I use my ruler I cut from the left using my right hand (with the material under the ruler).

Just to verify that - put some of your rulers on top of each other and see if the lines match up - sometimes they do - sometimes they don't

Kind of makes one wonder which one - if any - to trust

I too start cutting from the left because I am right handed. I think it is because the measured fabric is held under the ruler and is kept more accurate. When you cut from the right as a right hander, the measured fabric is to the right of the ruler or you're crossing over your body to cut the fabric. I use the rulers measurement because when I square up the fabric by folding and cutting, I know it's accurate.

I'm right handed. If the piece I need to cut off is larger than my ruler width, I cut with the bulk to the left. If it's narrower, I'll switch and put the bulk to the right. I always cut with my rotary cutter on the right side of the ruler.

I'm right handed and cut with the bulk of the fabric to my left using the right edge of the ruler.

I am a lefty, but I can cut with either hand. So I do whatever is easier for me.

right handed and bulk on right, and always measure with ruler, never with mat.

Measure twice, cut once. I am left handed and have the bulk of the material to my left, with what I want under my ruler and cut along that edge. I do use the same ruler for the whole job because the rulers can vary. I only use my mat lines to get the fabric straight.

In the Mat Lines vs Rulers controversy, you might want to check ALL of your rulers AND mats for accuracy. I accidentally discovered the first discrepancy in my rulers when I was stacking them neatly one day, fiddling around while on the phone. As I hung up from the call, I happened to notice that the ruler on the top did not match the ruler underneath. Which did not match the mat.

And I buy good rulers, too. I have an omni mat and set of rulers. Almost every one of them is different.

I finally went to a store where architectural supplies were sold, and found that only one of my rulers was accurate to the distance of 12 inches. That is the ONLY one that I use to measure cuts anymore. Some of my rulers are almost a full 1/4 of an inch off over 12 inches. My mat is pretty darn close, though.

I was taught the same way as Sharon B. I find it very easy....I then learned to cut from the left..it is a little harder for me....I am right handed and can do almost nothing with my left hand.
Linda

I do rotary cutting the same way the majority of the right handers have described their cutting; And I use the same ruler throughout a project, to eliminate those discrepancies. My favorite is my omnigrid 12.5 x 12.5".

I'm right-handed, and after I square up the edge, it goes on the left, with the bulk of the fabric on the right. I line my ruler up with the edge of the fabric, so I'm always cutting toward the right. The only time I use the lines on my mat are to check that my pieces are square.

i use one of those rulers that are slit every half inch an always from the right side im a righty

It depends. If I am cutting lots of strips with inch/s or 1/2in width, I use the slotted square. If it is odd increments or only a few, I cut with the bulk on the right and use my ruler. However, depending on which mat I am using (3 choices, 3 sides of a table), if I don't have room on the right, I put the fabric to the left, align the ruler as if I was left-handed, then carefully align another ruler next to the one already on the fabric and remove the 1st ruler before cuttting. This is my least preferred as it allows for greater chance of error. If the distance is very short to cut, I can use my left hand.

by the ruler always...I've seen people line fabric on the lines of the mat and then cut....lining their ruler on the horizonal lines on the mat....I can't imagine its too accurate????

Right handed, bulk to the Right.
I also use the ruler (same ruler for a complete project)...just in case they are slightly off.

I have always used a ruler, but my sister says my pieces are different from hers. I cut off the selvage with my left hand and cut the strips with my right.