I pull towards my body (I know.. not the safe way) but when I push away, I loose strength in my wrist.

Which direction do you cut when using your rotary cutter?

Away from me.

Toward me.

I KNOW! We aren't supposed to do it that way but I find it easier, too. I'm trying to break myself of it recently.

But boo. :(

Away from me!

I always cut away from myself.....safer :!:

I cut away from me....I use my long ruler and ease my hand down the ruler so my grip is maintained and the ruler doesn't tilt on me.

I'm a lefty, so cut opposite from rightys, but always away from the bod.

Away from me.

I used to do it toward me, seemed natural. Then I saw someone doing it going away and it looked easier. I tried it and it was - so now I do it away from me. I'm much steadier this way.

I didn't know any better so I taught myself to use it TOWARD me...now and then I try it the other way and it seems awkward.

away

away from me. Safety first!!

always away

I cut more accurately toward me, but I cut away for above mentioned reasons. I have bleeding tendencies and the dogs can't dial 911, so I try to be reasonable. I do occasionally cut away from the ruler at the far end of the cut. That's why I'm lookiing into folding a second time and/or purchasing a ruler with slots.

Away from me.

Away from the body...

when i first started i cut towards me. then when it was brought to my attention the dangers, i changed to away from me. it took a while to get used to it, but it is much safer and the ruler is easier to keep straight that way.

Away from me.

Away--there is no way in the world that I would cut toward my body. I really don't like emergency rooms and stitches...LOL

Defintely away.

Always away from me from me.

Away from me

Mostly away from me.

Both ways at times.

I do both! And do it with both hands (but one at a time!) :)

I do it which ever way it seems best at the moment-never cut into my body-just my fingers (and I did that a lot at first!!)

Away from your body ... safer that way.

Away- never even thought you could do it the other way lol

I go sideways

Away from me......that's one sharp blade

I cut away from me, towards me and sideways. Just depends on how lazy I'm feeling at the time.

I can use either hand, and I always cut away from me.

Away from me.

I can cut with either hand but the rotary cutter works better if I cut right handed and always cut away from my body.

Huh. I just tried it towards me and it was incredibly awkward - and I didn't have nearly the strength I do when I cut it away from me. I guess it's just what you're used to.

I have done the crossover (right hand over left hand) cutting towards me when cutting squares and I'm too lazy to turn the fabric. I KNOW that's not going to end well for me one of these days. ;-)

I always cut away from me.

Always always cut away!! Kris - try getting one of the suction handles to go on your ruler. Will help you hold it down and should make the cutting away easier!!

I cut away from me mostly, also do the crossover hand thing once in a while.
I love my slotted ruler - it's like training wheels for the cutter.
AND --- the most important thing -- if I start thinking "oh, I better be careful " I STOP.
Too many times, the next cut - I nick myself.
So, listen to that little angel on your shoulder - do not use a rotary cutter when you're tired or "under the influence". Just like the medicine bottles "do not operate heavy machinery"
It should also say "or quilting cutters!"

this, I believe is the way many quilt teachers teach as the correct way to do it

I cut away from me but the owner of the LQS does it sometimes from side to side in front of her.