Can't imagine oops again. I am a bad a the key board also. lol

I struggle with this, too, even with a new blade. You might want to consider some other things. In additon to keeping the ruler from shifting and the angle of the cutter to ruler and to mat consistent, I've also found it's helpful to listen as I cut. When I make a "clean" cut, the sound of the blade passing through fabric is different compared to when it's not cutting through completely. I try to go slow and listen to the cutter. If it doesn't sound right, I just go back a few inches and make a second pass. My cutting accuracy has improved since I started doing this. Looking forward to hearing the ideas of our more experienced members.

te=Flying_V_Goddess]I've been teaching myself how to rotary cut. Its been going great so far. Today I decided to finish cutting my binding strips, which started off great but then it gave me problems. In some spots it hadn't cut through the second layer of fabric. Then I'd have to go back and make another swipe...and half the time my hand would shift and the ruler would be off and I'd cut in the wrong spot. I was applying the same amount of pressure as I normally would and after it wouldn't cut right I would apply just a little bit more and it still wouldn't cut all the way through.

I think my blade needs to be changed, but I've only cut a yard of fabric (mostly into 2 1/2" strips and then a 12x14" panel). Seems like it would be too soon to change blades. But I'm new to rotary cutting so I don't know how often the blades should be changed. How often should blades be changed?[/quote]

I have never heard the "rule" on when to change blades but if there was one I probably wouldn't follow it any way. I only change a blade when it stops cutting the nice way it is supposed too.

I change them when they start to skip like you describe. But I have known poeple who have put it a new blade, but accidentally put in 2 blades! Also, here's a tip - when you make a cut, and think there might be an issue with the blade - don't move your hand, but try to move the section that you've just cut - away from the ruler (rather than moving the ruler and your hand). That way, if it doesn't cut all the way through, you can cut it again without having to re-line up the ruler.

I also change mine when it just seems like I am having a lot of trouble. However, I have the hard June Taylor mat and have used it for several years and I actually think it is my biggest problem. It has a very rough surface now and the fabric is getting into the grooves and not cutting. I switched to a softer mat and things seem to be going better. I think mats need to be replaced even if they are slf healing or what ever.

I am left handed too, and was wondering what you mean you can't cut away from you. You cut towards yourself? Yikes. I cut away from myself w/no trouble at all...w/my left hand :). When I make my first cut I use my right hand, then move the ruler and do all the rest w/my left hand. Doing it that way means I do not have to rotate my fabric, or mat, to begin cutting my strips.

I'm left-handed too, and cut thousands of yards of fabric for our store. I use a left-hand Martelli Ergo cutter, and the blades last for months and months.

The key I think is to cut the fabric, not the ruler. The cutter should be perfectly upright, not tilted back and forth or side to side. The side of the cutter should contact the ruler slightly but not put a lot of pressure on it. It's really a matter of practice and lots of it. Cutting straight and not at an angle will also make your mats last a lot longer.

The difference in being left handed is really not strange; just work from the left side of the fabric instead of the right, and work on the left side of the ruler instead of the right. You may have to learn to count backwards if your ruler is not smart enough to do both. :mrgreen: Lots of cutters have reversible features, Martelli ergo cutters come in left and right-hand versions. Hope this helps.

Oh ya, and never cut toward yourself, that's a recipe for ruined fabric. All that blood on your fabric is hard to get out. :shock:

I also can go for a long time before changing blades.

Now that I have my new Harbor Freight blades I might indulge in changing them more often.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

where can I buy a Marteli blade? we have JoAnns and Hancock where I am, but have never seen them.

I bought my blades from a Martelli dealer at The Road to California quilt show almost 2 years ago. You can find them on-line. I believe that they sell the blades in a 25 pack, at least they did back then. That's a lot of blades considering I'm on my second one in two years with probably 26 quilts and 22 aprons and a myriad of other projects using just the 2 blades.
I have 4 other friends that I quilt with that have the same cutter and we shared the package.