Fabric Moves on Cutting Mat
 

I have seen posts on rulers that move while cutting fabric with a rotary blade, and for cutting mats that move when cutting fabric, but my problem is just a little different. I can’t seem to keep the fabric from moving slightly as I place the ruler onto the fabric. My rulers have lots of the nonslip dots on them, but the slippage occurs as I am trying to set the ruler down on a precise spot. There is no slippage after the ruler is completely on the fabric.

I have tried using the blue painters tape to secure the fabric edges to the cutting mat, but the edges with the tape tend to unravel a bit when the tape is lifted. The fabric movement is not so bad when I’m cutting from a larger piece of fabric, but when I’m trying to cut 2” x 10” strips I have problems positioning the ruler without the fabric moving out of position. Then I have to reposition the fabric and chase it with the ruler again. The ruler is 2 1/2” x 12 1/2”.

There must be an easier way to secure the fabric for accurate cuts on all sides. I have no problems with the mat moving.

Thanks for any tips or suggestions!

Just a guess, but I think your ruler is too small. Try a wider ruler and see if there is a difference. For me, the smaller ruler will tend to try to throw itself all over the place. With a wider ruler you have more to hold with your hand to keep the ruler and fabric straight, even as you are placing the ruler on the fabric.

I agree. I think most people use a 24" x 6" ruler for cutting widths of fabric. But I still have trouble making multiple cuts. I tend to put a weight (litterally a Ziploc bag full of rocks) to keep the fabric from moving. I don't have a very long reach and this keeps it from moving around too much. I bought a ruler from Off the Wall that I like for strip cutting. It has two pieces so you can set the edge underneath and abut that to the edge of the fabric for cutting. So far I like it very much. I may still be off, but at least I am off the same amount for each strip.

Keep practicing. You'll find something that works for you.

I do not use the lines on the cutting matt usually to line up my fabric. I use my ruler. I will straighten the edge of the fabric; I will then place a piece of tape or one of those little removable tape arrows pointing to the line I am going to use. So, to cut a 2-inch strip, I would place arrows pointing to that line, line the edge of my fabric up with that two-inch line and make my cut (most of your fabric will not be under the ruler, just the two inches). The extra half inch on your 2.5-inch ruler would not have fabric under it. This method really secures the fabric under the ruler and I get a good accurate cut. Also, I find I like to use a bit wider ruler as it is easier for me to stabilize the ruler with my hand while making the cut.

I suppose I have never really paid attention if my fabric moves or not.... I'm like sewingpup, I just toss my fabric on the mat and however it lands, that's where it stays. (okay, maybe i'm not quite that carefree, but you get the idea!). if my fabric moves when I place the ruler, it doesn't really matter. I just shift my ruler around until its lined up. perhaps my fabric moves around like yours too, but it has never registered on my radar.

My cutting space isn't all that big, and sometimes I have trouble positioning a large piece of fabric - multiple yards - so I cut or rip it into smaller chunks for cutting. This reduces the drag of the fabric. I also find that a smaller, wider ruler works best for me - 6.5" x 12.5" is my favorite.

All great tips and information…LadyAg, hopefully you will find one that helps you with your cutting accuracy. One of the reasons I love this board is the helpful members who share their experiences and ideas.

Along with some of the suggestions above, I find that if I stand up while cutting my fabric, particularly those long width of fabric cuts, I am more accurate. It seems so simple but standing gives you better leverage. When I get lax and try to just sit and cut, there is movement of the fabric or the ruler and inaccurate cuts. Using the weight, bag of rocks :), is a good idea too. Made me think of Donna Jordan using the work out weight. Yup, it works!

If smaller pieces of fabric are giving you problems, a light starch might help.

Yes, try a bigger ruler. Check that the mat is flat and level on the table. Pay attention to technique. Are you sliding the ruler onto the fabric? "Lay" the ruler onto the fabric. Also check your hand position on the ruler. Spread out fingers and position on the ruler. Great demo link below for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfvKE0Y6npk

Be sure the ruler line is "over and on" the fabric. If the line is only to the fabric, the cut will be short by a thread or two of fabric.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bkJKQwq4FI

I'm another one who thinks a lot of this problem will miraculously go away when using a 6 or 6.5" ruler, spread out your fingers across a wide area.

One of my sayings is that "fabric can be treacherous". It does want to do all sorts of things on its own and can be difficult to be kept to the straight and narrow :)

Even though I am big on prepping my fabric first and doing all sorts of things, I do check/straighten my fabric every 2-3 cuts just to make sure everything is still where/how I want it.

Ooooohhhhh! You have given me so many ideas to try! I had been “precutting” the strips down until they were an inch or less bigger than the final cut size, and then using a ruler that was only slightly bigger than the fabric for the final cut. I didn’t mention that earlier, since I had no idea I was making it easier for both the fabric and the ruler to move!

The videos are great. I have bookmarked them. I have got to get better doing You Tube searches.

Thanks for your help!

I always use the lines on my cutting mat along with the ruler lines, and I put some kind of weight on the piece also.

I have this problem with my folding (picnic style) tables, but NOT with a more substantial base, such as, the dining room table or sewing machine store tables made specifically for the machines.

I have always found I cut more accurately if I just use the ruler edge and lines rather than the lines on the mat. I also agree that standing while using a wider ruler and spreading my hand out to stabilize it makes a huge difference (my go-to for strips is a 6.5 x 24). I also have learned a few new things to try from reading these tips so who needs Google? We have a world of expertise right here!

I understand your pain! I never conquered this problem. So I changed to a cutting System. (Accuquilt and not affiliated with the company) I has made such a difference. Perfect cuts every time.

I tend to forget but at times I remember to use my five pound hand weights to hold a ruler while I cut. It does help on my long ruler.

I also had problems using my folding plastic table. I also had " miraculous" improvement when cutting on a more rigid base.

I enjoy cutting, but I am more successful only cutting a few layers at a time - four or less.

I have had the same problem. I did some internet and found a utube on how to use rotary cutter with ruler. I did see what I was doing wrong so now it works better for me

The width size of ruler I use is determined by the width of the fabric that I am cutting up and the shape of what I am cutting. The wider the ruler the more it anchors the fabric. If I use too wide of a ruler, it tends to "rock" as part of the ruler is not directly on top of the fabric. I have a lof rulers!

Sometimes I do this:
a). position ruler for cut I intend to make.
b). start rotary cutter about center of fabric & cut to top edge
c). start rotary cutter at bottom of fabric and cut to where you began in step b)

I’m making 2 cuts and it seems to work without the fabric or ruler shift I’d get when I got to the top edge using just 1 cut.