I can't cut a straight line!
 

I don't have the Tru cut but have you looked at the June Tailor Shape Cut Rulers? I use mine more than I use my Accuquilt Go! http://www.joann.com/search/_june%20...20shape%20cut/

Try this: The picture shows a small piece of fabric for a scrappy quilt being cut but the same little cut at the top of a a folded fabric works the same way to release the tension of the blade going through the fabric which causes the fabric to move.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...p-t136061.html

Try it and see if it helps.
peace

I am curious as to the 'why' of your cutting problems.

I now like the sandpaper dots on the back of my rulers. I used to use Invisigrip. My hands have difficulty holding the ruler straight. For more 'normal' quilters a tip is to keep your little finger on the far side of the ruler and on the fabric, so the ruler is against that finger while you cut on the opposite side of the ruler.

I do use my Alto's QuiltCut2 for doing strip cutting.

A friend just showed me her new cutting guide. Check out: www.quiltersslide.com You only need to put pressure on one point and the cutting guide stays put. It is kinda neat. Comes in 2 sizes and either clear or yellow [I prefer the yellow.] However if you have arthritis in your wrists this may not be for you.

auntpiggly, I have the June Tailor Shape Cut Pro and it slides around. I just bought some Invisigrip and hope it will help.
Tks, Ube, that just might help some.
AliKat, my problem is that I can't seem to stay on the line. I have Creative Grid rulers and they never slip. It's me who wobbles around.
Tks everyone for the good info.

Uhhh, I've never had any problems with my JT ruler slipping. . . I just lock the edge of the fabric into the "0" slot and go for it!

gigi, I have the Trucut cutter and ruler and they work great for me. I'm the kind of guy who can begin handwriting a long word and about halfway through my mind wanders off and I snap back and don't know what letter comes next. So imagine how off-track I can get when cutting a long 24 inch piece of fabric.

The ruler has a small, raised edge that the cutter rides along. It takes just a little getting used to, but it isn't difficult. I've recently had to use a regular cutter and ruler and - boy howdy - the cutter (and my mind) just seem to drift off. Oh, and if you lay the ruler down one way, its marked in whole inches; the other way is marked with an extra half inch.

I do recommend you keep the instructions for the cutter. When you change blades, there's a washer in the cutter that I never can remember where it goes.

Like you, before I bought it, I looked online for reviews and didn't see much. Now that I have one, I don't understand why everyone doesn't use them. Well, except that maybe everyone isn't as scatterbrained as I am.

Tate

I still, after many years, have trouble with my ruler slipping. I came up with a solution that works for me. I put my ruler down so the bottom edge is right at the edge of my table/mat. Then I use a binder clip to secure the ruler to the table. Sure helps me. The binder clips are also the ones I use when I lay out my quilts to pin baste. They can be bought at office supply stores

A lot of slippage happens when we try to cover too much ruler area with one hand. Instead of holding the ruler in the center, I now hold it in the lower half. I cut only as far as my fingers can support the ruler. Then I walk my fingers gingerly up to the next section and cut to where it is comfortable. On long sections I can have up to 3 sections to cut. It works for me.

Ditto......

I used to use binder clips and big old silver ones too. my thumbs hardly work anymore so I gave them up.
if you don't have a long 24 inch ruler, you should go ahead and get one. you will love it. when cutting, cut about half way up along the ruler, then carefully move/walk your hand further up the ruler and hold again, then cut the rest of your fabric. Good luck!

I agree, I have much better luck this way!!!

The first thing I learned when I started using a rotary cutter was to start about 1/2" from the edge of the fabric and then cut backwards to the edge and then start cutting forward. This keeps the blade from getting veered from the edge, no nicks on the ruler edge, and releases the fabric tension at the same time. I rarely see anyone do this now but it was taught that way at all the classes I went to for how to rotary cut.

Yes, only cut to the edge of your fingers, then walk your fingers down the rest of the ruler..also just use your fingertips, by bending your fingers, sort of like a spider. Then take the little finger of that hand and put it against the edge of the ruler as you cut....sort of keeps it from scootching. But, you must put enough pressure on that ruler to keep it in place too. Take your time!!

I have found if I don't pay attention to the way I hold my rotary cutter, it wanders! So now that I know that I make sure the side with the blade is always next to my ruler. Hope this helps.

gigi, I'm sure you could tell from my post, I like telling how much I enjoy using the Tru-cut. I'm surprised that out of all the replies, I was the only one who actually uses it. I was lucky enough to find mine at a Tuesday Morning about a year ago.

Tate

I love the June Taylor Shapecut, I have sandpaper dots on mine. I have some of the Invisigrip on my smaller rulers but I don't think it helps all that much.

Tks, everyone! Y'all are awesome!

Just tried this site and it wouldn't open. Try this instead for the quilters slide lock. http://quiltersslidelock.com

I just got Trucut rulers without getting the rotary cutter made for it. The edge is high enough that my cutters often got caught in it. I finally got the cutter this week and cut out a quilt with it in no time. I find the grid holes in the ruler along with the raised edge make it much easier to keep the fabric square along with the added safety.

Just tried to send a reply...there is a coupon in this month's Sew it Today magazine for 20% off the Truecut rotary cutting system. Use the coupon code TC-SEW-IT for 20% off your entire trucut order. Offer expires on 3/26/13.
www.graceframe.com.
Will probably give it a try.
Dottie

I saw a new ruler at a quilt show last week. It has holes in the ruler where you can put your fingers to keep it from slipping. I can't remember the name but I thought it was a good idea. The holes went the length and width of the ruler and had markings every inch. For lack of a better way to describe it, it was like they cut out a small square in each 1" grid of the ruler. You could place your hands wherever it was comfortable and still be able to keep the ruler from slipping.

The one and only quilt show I ever went to, I tried a cutter being sold there and the salesman said, after I tried it out, that I was not holding the cutter perpendicular to the mat. Every time I mistakenly cut a curve I find that I have been holding the rotary cutter at an angle. Need to stop daydreaming, I think.

I wish I could afford one of these. I have been wanting one for a long time now.

Checked out Amazon and they have a better deal than Graceframe.
Dottie

When these first came out they were very unreliable. Have the improved the accuracy??? I have one I never use.

Somewhere on this board I saw the suggestion to coat the backs of rulers with rubber cement (sold in office supply stores). It works great for me. It takes quite awhile to dry if the humidity is high, so don't do it on a day when you're in a hurry to use your ruler. The back of your cutting mat can also be coated with it if you have a problem with it slipping. It doesn't seem to hurt anything I've tried it on, and it can be peeled off and redone later if it gets too ugly from picking up fuzz.

I tried the sandpaper dots and still managed to move the ruler while cutting. Tried the rubber cement method and improved 90%.

I have the TrueCut and LOVE it!

Holy smack-a-roos Batman. That's a lot of money for a piece of plastic.

I've found that I can't cut very well with the Olfa cutters but have no trouble with a Fisker cutter. Not sure why the difference.

I want to get one of these cool tools. I might actually use it! peace