Denim circles
 

I need to cut out 168 seven inch circles for a quilt. I don't have access to an acuquilt cutter but would like to use some kind of circle cutter such as a Truecut 360 circle cutter. Would it be worth it to buy one? What experience have you had with a cutter?

I haven't used that cutter. When I cut circles for my denim cathedral Windows quilt I used a circle template by June Tailor. However it might not be the size you need. There are also several circle cut rulers available that have various sizes. The ones I've seen cut half or quarter circles from folded fabric so that might be hard to do with denim.

I have an Olfa circular cutter that a friend gave to me. It's o.k. but I've yet to master it. It could be that I need to change the blade. It's a bit awkward using & even the video that shows how to use it says it takes some time getting the hang of it. Not sure how it would do with denim.

I could never get the hang of it. I got it free from a friend who also tried & was not successful. The fabric bunched and the cut was never even. I would order an acrylic circle template or go to the salvation army and get a plate the correct size and use a 28MM rotary cutter. Take your time. I don't think you are going to be able to cut more than 2 layers of denim at a time.

Here is a link to a Youtube video that shows how to use the Olfa circle cutter on denim:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_hKEDmxQwM

I think part of the trick is to use basting spray on the mat so the denim doesn't move while you are cutting.

I don't have one because I am afraid that I would waste a lot of fabric using one. I made 2 denim circle quilts and cut all of the circles by hand. 306 circles on each quilt...

I used a circle template and marked the jeans and cut them out with a scissors with a spring. I was not in a rush just marked and cut while I watched tv. I could get the most of my jeans material

good luck I like how the circle quilts turn out

Wow, that's a lot of circles! I have the Easy Circle Cut by Sharon Hultgren which I love. It is easy to use and makes perfect circles with little effort. It is a grid type cutter/tool made to be used with a small rotary cutter. It is designed to be used to make circles from 2 inch finished circles to 10 finished circles. I bought mine at Walmart several months ago. They can also be purchased on-line for less than $20.

Thanks everybody for your suggestions and experiences. This board is the best!!

I also have a June Tailor circle template and am pleased with it. I use the small rotary cutter with it.

I also have the olga circle cut rotary cutter. I have never been happy with how it works. I have had the best success when I layered only about 3 pieces of fabric and put a piece of paper on top. I use loose leaf paper. I does dull the blade some. Not sure about denim. Some of the LQS here will let you use their acquit cutter for a small fee.
What are you making with all of the denim circles? I have a bunch of denim and haven't decided what to make with it.

I'm making the quilt like Prism99 references (a YouTube tutorial) in her reply to me. It's for my grandson.

This is what I did, also. It wasn't that bad.

I just saw an episode on Nancy's Notions using the circle cutter but not with denim. I think she used starch to stiffen the fabrics before using the Olfa circle cutter. She was not using denim although I've also seen a video of that process. Love the look but I don't think I have the patience. If it were me though I'd use the small rotary cutter and go around a jar or lid or something I find around the house that is the right size. How do you deal with the denim edges so they don't ravel? I don't remember that part.

I did all of my denim circles with a fiskar's circle cutter, the one with the pin. It worked just fine. Before I got that, I used a small rotary cutter with one of those half-circle arc rulers. Anyway you look at it, it is a labor intensive job.

I also have the circle cutter but find it much easier to use something from m kitchen plate, saucer, lid whatever works for me with no added expense

I've made 3 mock cathedral window quilts using denim and have 2 more ready to sew together. I used a coffee can lid, drew around the outside with a black marker and used my rotary cutter to cut all the circles. They go really fast.

I just bought this one at Walmart for $19.97 It works fine. I haven't tried denim but it does several layers of fabric.

http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Cra...-Circle-Cutter


I have the Go and circle dies but sometimes not in the size I want.

find someone to hire it done
 

We have a lady in our guild that will cut any pattern on her AcuQuilt for an hourly fee. You might inquire at your local quilt shop or at a quilt guild. It was so worth it when I needed 30 birds & wings for a quilt I did several years ago.

Go to Lowes or some where like that and ask them to cut a plastic or glass shape for you. Usually not very expensive.

With the fiskar circle cutter, which I too found at Walmart, you need to fold fab in half...might be a bit cumbersome with denim. Also, the circles include 1/4" seam allowance, which is fine, if you need that. So since I have both GO ans sizzix die cutter and Sizzix had a 4" cut (which is what I needed) for $19.99, I ordered and am waiting......but if I did not have the die cutter, I think I would opt for a plexiglass circle template and use rotating mat and small rotary cutter for the denim circles......

I'm with you...I'll find something in my kitchen or basement (husband's tools) to use even if I have to clean it.

HI, I just found this board and am so excited!! I saw your post regarding someone that will cut with their accuquilt. Would you happen to know how much she charges per hour? I have a new Studio I got a few months ago and I want to actually network and maybe offer that service as well but don't know how much to charge. I was going to contact some guilds and quilting shops. I usually purchase one die a month to build up my inventory. I purhased the studio because I have fibro and osteo and can't use scissors or even a rotary cutter. I checked out the Go's but I wanted to cut a larger volume, also I found that studio was actually easier to crank than the others and stays on the table. So I opted for it and am so glad I did. I absolutely love it. I recently cut over 200 denim rag circles in an hour that I'm not sure I would even still be close to being done cutting out if I had to use scissors. It was worth it for me on just that one quilt alone.

Oh I accidently replied to this post but it went to the main board....this is the post I was replying to. I apologize I just joined today and am learning the way it works. Anyway I was wondering if you knew how much your lady charges per hour to cut out any pattern? Thanks in advance.