fussy cutting?
 

I bought some cute chicken fabric and want to cut the chickens out in a 4-1/2" square and make them the center of a block. I tried using a June Tailor 4 1/2 " ruler that I bought for something else and a rotary cutter, but boy, does that little ruler move around, no matter how firmly I hold it. It's maddening. Too, using the rotary cutter is awkward around 4 sides and difficult on corners. So I'm thinking it may be easier to draw around the ruler and cut the squares with scissors. How do the rest of you do it?

Yes, if I were having a lot of time consuming trouble with cutting with the rotary, I definitely would use the scissors instead! Rotary cutters can't fit the bill all the time.

I have often done as you suggested.....draw around the ruler with a pencil, then cut out the motif. But you don't necessarily have to use scissors. With a drawn line, I sometimes use my favorite ruler to get the straight edge for my rotary cutter. Then I lift & reposition the ruler for the next side. It's a little bit more work, but I think it saves time over using scissors. Of course, sometimes using scissors is better.

Also, to mark the motif being fussy cut, sometimes I make a template from a piece of manila folder, cutting out the center in the size and shape I want (including seam allowances of course). Then I position the opening over my design and draw my lines. The folder paper is heavy enough to use over and over. And when I've finished marking all the designs, I slip the template into the pattern package to save for another time I want to make the same quilt with fussy cut pieces.

I almost always use scissors when fussy cutting. For me is is faster.

I put sandpaper dots on my ruler and use a turntable mat. Even though I'm cutting small squares (I'm currently cutting 3.5" butterfly squares) I use a large turntable and roll up the excess fabric on the cutting board, so everthing turns when I rotate the board.

I put that vinyl stuff on the bottom of all my rulers. Reduces slipping. It's hard to beat stickon sandpaper though. Your ruler stays put.

There are little tabs you can buy and put on the underside of your template to keep it from sliding/scooting so much.
Also if it is the same chicken you can use a dry erase marker on the top of your template to roughly mark the shape of the chicken and then align each square up.

I bought the vinyl stuff and put on the bottom of all my rulers. Love it. Now I can see thru all my rulers. And it holds them still.

Thanks to all who have responded! I will get a backing for that little June Tailor ruler but for now think I'll draw my squares and cut with my long ruler (the one I love and use for everything!) as someone suggested.

I have also found it helpful to use my small rotary cutter for this type of work, rather than my 60mm, either my 28 or 14mm