cutting while sitting down
 

I can rotary cut while sitting down if I use a coffee table (with a cutting mat on it, of course).

A regular table is too high for me to use while sitting down and too low to use while standing up.

Heck, I can barely cut standing up!

i was just getting ready to do that myself. i just finished ironing a lot of fabric and now it needs to be cut. i can pull the table nice and close and reach well.

I always cut sitting down. My back starts to hurt if I cut standing up. Works for me.
Sue

I cut sitting down as I can't do much standing. I think it is what you get use to. Good luck!

I can't cut sitting down, unless like you said it would be coffee table height.

Thank you for posting this. I never would have dreamed of using my coffee table. I, too, am unable to stand for any length of time to cut...have to take lots of sit-down breaks doing it that way. Think I'll put that coffee table to use tonight!!!

A TV table/tray works well, too - at least for cutting little pieces.

I have lower back and shoulder pain so I cut sitting down all of the time.

I find that I'm not as accurate if I rotary cut whilst sitting down. Will have to try the coffee table way and see if that makes a difference.

I don't really recommend the posture of being bent over a coffee table for hours and hours at a time - but it works while watching TV (if DH is watching golf, for example). It's not worse that playing solitaire on a coffee table :rolleyes:

The plus side - I have the same leverage and control of the cutter as I do standing up.
The down side - this works best for small pieces - like cutting scrap into small squares or trimming HSTs to size.

I have been using the floor lately, sitting or kneeling, even just bought a kneeling pad :D I may not be able to get up, but at least the fabric gets cut!

I use the coffee table to cut if my back is bothering me, It allows me to stretch, and I feel better after.

I lower my ironing board to the right height when sitting down

I use my kitchen counter to cut out fabric and also it is great for my handcrank (I converted a Singer 99 to a handcrank) for piecing. The counter is the right height and when I put mat on it, it is perfectly protected. I can either sit at one of the stools or stand. The handcrank is perfect for the counter because it is almost the quietest thing in the house and I can be next to the family room with the hubby and it does such a nice job of piecing.

I am among the many sitters too. Before my BFF passed away she would cut my yardage into 1 to 1 1/2 yard chunks that I could handle better. Now I just ask the store if they can make an extra cut or two for me while they have it on their cutting table. I have never had anyone refuse. I think this size is much easier to handle when washed also.

This happens to me too. You have to find a table Lori S that is the right height for you to safely cut sitting down. We all who are the aging population of quilters must find ways to adapt to continue our hobby we enjoy doing so much. I have actually started to "cut backwards" when I read a post over a month ago. I find that it works well for me and that keeping the 6"x24" ruler on the fabric helps keep my fabric from slipping so much. Being backward, you need another ruler to place in from to measure the cut with. It is confusing at first but I have learn it is better to be safe than sorry.

This is why I use precuts whenever I can.

I love this......:D

I forgot to mention that it also helps to use an adjustable office chair to get to the right height when cutting. Even in the kitchen I have changed to an office chair for food prep sitting down at the kitchen table. My walker seat works great for doing the dishes and folding clothes.

I do a lot of cutting on my coffee table. I do have to stand when cutting strips from the folded fabric, but I change from cutting strips to sitting down to cut the sizes I need from the strips. It may take me a little longer, but my back appreciates it. I'm in different positions so it relieves the pressure on my back.

Get a foldable table and put it up on bed risers. Makes it the perfect table for cutting and it's the right height. I'm short 5' 2" and this makes it just right.

I always cut while sitting down. My back hurts if I stand up. I use either the dining room table (which is a little high) or TV tray table.

Sometimes I cut sitting down on a coffee table but mostly I cut on a high table that I got at Sam's. It is a table that folds and has 3 different height adjustments on it. I also use 2 2x6 under each leg (cut them long so they span 2 legs for stability) to add further adjustments. The highest adjustment on the legs plus the extra 3" that I get from the 2x6 is just right and no back aches. This arrangement works great for sandwiching quilts as well. I have an ironing pad on half of it and cutting mat on the other half so press there too. Do whatever works for you so that you are comfortable is my motto.

I have always cut sitting down, I also iron sitting down. Whatever works for you is fine. When the quilt is done, nobody knows. That is what I have always said about expensive, fancy pens. After the words are written, nobody know what kind of pen made the mark.

I do this also. My motto is that some parts of getting older aren't that cool. :D:D:D

I need to be able to move. I cut best standing.

I make to many mistakes if I site down to cut, tried cutting on the kitchen island, which is higher that the table, still make mistakes - I have to stand up to cut.

I have to cut sitting down, too or I pass out. I also use Altos cutting system- it helps keep me accurate and easier on my weak hands. Wish my coffee table wasn't just glass sitting on a decorative pedestal. I've been wanting a new one...good excuse now!!

I actually find 'stand up' cutting quite relaxing. My cutting area is high - 4" below waist height - and I can cut all day with no back pain because there's no leaning involved. Sewing is sedentary enough, no need for me to add cutting to that part of quilt making. :)

I always cut standing. I love cutting! It's my favorite part of the process.

At kitchen table, I find I make less mistakes standing. On the floor, I do accurate work on small pieces. I make more errors sitting and find I am less likely to cut through all fabric in the cut.

I have been sitting and cutting for about 2 years... Moved into a very small house and I have to cut on the coffee table that is 36" sq. It works for now....

I tried to cut while sitting this weekend and was not happy with the results. Maybe because I was sliver trimming and trying to square blocks which drives me nuts anyway - but I didn't have as great a view of the ruler as normal. I've raised a table in the Mom Cave to work as a cutting and pressing space.

Cheers, K

I cut the smaller pieces sitting down and always use a sharp, newer cutter.

I do the big cutting standing, and have a small portable type thing that is "press on one side and cut on the other" that I use at my sewing table and can use it while sitting. But my back is starting to bother me after long periods of standing, so I guess I am going to go in search of a Plan B for cutting. I do have a large coffee table that I am giving some thought to trying out for the sitting part. I don't know. I am pretty much too old timey to try anything new like that.

I have a basket just outside the kitchen door and whenever I have a few moments I cut out using the kitchen counter - its a much better height for cutting. Just doing a little bit at a time suits me.

I should have specified "cutting on a coffee table or TV tray" in my title.

Rotary cutting at an ordinary height table while sitting definitely DOES NOT work for me.

Have you tried raising your table by putting cans under the legs. It will bring it up to a nice height

I'll do trimming next to my machine when I'm sewing, but larger things get cut at my cutting table. It is a dining room table mounted on bed risers. Definitely saves my back.