Try a Martelli left-hand ergonomic cutter. It's a lot easier to control the angle, a lot easier to maintain straight cuts, and just a lot easier to control in general.

Not a left but can't cut straight to.save my life. Been getting better aNd realized recent/y that as I cut I pull away near the end of the cut like the last inch or so. It stinks but it takes practice that is all.

I am glad you said that...I didn't know that..I am not GREAT with rotary but I use them still as I find scissors don't do it for me anymore with trying to get fabric same exact shape size!

I don't know why, but it seems I can cut 3 or 4 layers much easier than just one layer.

I thought you weren't supposed to angle your rotary cutter's blade because that could make your pieces smaller than they should be, and of unequal sizes depending on the slant of the ruler with each cut. Cutter blade straight up and down, I was taught.

lewisl

Oh, no - I gave my brand new rotary cutter away because I am lefthanded, too. Didn't know about all the great tips I found.

The one on Amazon seems pretty pricey, but here are just a few results from a google search on "left hand rotary cutter" - there are a BUNCH on there. The 1st one is on sale for less than $20 at Joanns.

Good luck finding a way you are comfortable using one.

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...zprd_02408409a

http://www.google.com/products/catal...&rls=com.yahoo:en-US:official&client=firefox&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2197549689580849322&sa=X&ei=7DyfTpL HBs6ksQLRv5TuCQ&ved=0CD4Q8wIwAg

http://quiltersreview.com/index.php/...c-blade-guard/

http://www.kmart.com/martelli-left-h...0000000083576P

Have someone watch you cut and maybe they can diagnose where the problem is.

This is a very good suggestion. I am also left handed and had the same problem. I had someone watch me cut and discovered I was slanting my blade and the ruler was moving oh so slightly. I got the grippers for the ruler and have to pay attention to the blade so I don't slant it. And lots of practice, so it isn't a problem anymore.

At a quilt show I went to this summer, one of the vendors selling rotary cutters also said the position of your body makes a difference.you need to be in a postion where your arm will push the rotary cutter in a strait line from your shoulder. Not be having your arm cross in front of you, or off to the opposite side -

I use a "Martelli" rotary cutter with the handle on the side you can buy it on line, it comes with a right or left handle. I love it!

I am left-handed and I think I do everything backwards from a right-handed person. I cannot cut with a rotary cutter having the cutter go away from me...it is always crooked. So (I hope the quilt patrol doesn't read this!), I use the rotary cutter coming towards me......it works!!!

I don't have time tonight to read all the resonses but so far I havn't seen any info about what brand of cutter is being used. So cant give good advice.

You have no idea how much fabric i have ruined because of the same issue you are having!!! I invested in many devices , but I found something that has been a God-send!!! It is the june tailor slotted rulers!!! Got it at Joannes ....google it to see what it is!!! Fantastic!!!! :-)

Oooooo shame on u!!! :lol: Have you tried the slotted rulers by june tailor? Great invention!!!!

I'm not sure what the name of the tool is, but it's a ruler that has slits at regularly spaced slots - you insert the rotary cutter and cut within those slits, it might be an Accucut ruler thing. I've seen them used, and it might help your problem. Just a suggestion. Good luck - hang in there and may go to LQS, have someone watch you cut and they may be able to figure out what you are doing wrong. Don't give up.

I'll drink to that!

For the ruler you can get little sand paper tabs to fit on the bottoms of your ruler or a lady last night at the store had a new ruler that already has the little tabs already on the ruler.

I'm left handed and the first class I took was just the basics, how to hold the blade, how much pressure to put on the blade, fabric - how to choose colors, about selvage and length of fabric. What type of ruler to buy, etc we never even sewed anything in that class it was literally all about the basics. I learned to change sides the blades were on, and how much pressure to use to cut through the fabric.

I still feel like I'm learning a new trick, short cut every time I go to class. Don't be discouraged we've all been a new student at some point.

I have one its made by June Tailor and its called Straight Cuts, I know there's others out there. I bought this one at Walmart for about $18

You might check out the TruCut Rotary Cutter from the Grace Co. I bought one and I really like it. The Rotary Cutter attaches to the side of the ruler to hold it in place.
It is a little pricey. I bought both the 6 x 24 ruler and the rotary cutter, and the ruler grips as a package deal at Tuesday Mornings for the price of just the rotary cutter.
www.graceframe.com/site/rotarycutting

also is your ruler slipping that is what i had a problem with. i also got a june tayler ruler with the slits, what a difference it makes.the rotary cutter fits in the slot and is guided then.

Also, I don't know if anyone else stated, but I will let you in on a little secret. When using a rotary cutter and a longer ruler than your hand, stop the blade at the end of your hand and reposition your hand further down the ruler. Again, stop the blade before moving your hand. When you go past your hand it acts like a pivot point and you will have less than straight lines. Another trick I learned is to rest the outer two fingers on your fabric and the other three on the ruler.

I haven't tried it it, but Joanns sells a product that you can mount on the bottom of the ruler to aid in the ruler from not slipping. I was in a shop hop and the lady that was cutting my fabric show me the hand trick and then let me try. It diffinitly will help as it did me. I heard that the sell little stick on circles that grip the fabric.

I would find a guild and ask someone there for pointers. Take a yard, your ruler, and cutter. Go early, you may have to pay a guest fee, but two things will happen. First, someone will be more than happy to pass on their knowledge. This I learned from this board and the two guilds that I belong to. Another member mentioned having someone watch you and give pointers on technique. Second, you will make new friends and possibly join the guild.

I posted another comment before this reply as I'm now reading everyone advice, please take a look at my other comment and I bet you hand placement is all wrong as mine was.

My cutting has improved since I started putting several dabs of clear "rubber cement" on the backs of my rulers so
they don't slip. Works much better for me than using those suck-on handles or the peel & stick non-slip clear backings. When they begin to wear off, just reapply new dabs (you can remove them anytime by just rolling your finger over the edges & they roll up & off).

Also, the June Tailor Shape Cut is great for getting straight cuts. My only regret about it is that I bought the 12" one instead of the larger one. It's been worth the $$ for me as it eliminates 'elbows' in long strips. Since I bought the smaller one, I often have to fold the fabric a time or two before cutting, in which case I use a 60mm rotary cutter to cut through the four layers more easily than with a 45mm blade; easier on my hands.

Try this, Hold the ruler on the fabric with your left hand. Using your left hand will keep the fabric and ruler from wobbling. Using a fresh sharp blade, use your right hand to run the blade along the right edge of the ruler, cutting off a piece of fabric the exact size you want. It is just cutting, nothing fancy to holding the rotary cutter, just take it slow.

One in my group is left handed, teacher put the blade on the opposite side for her and it works great.

Hope this helps, she did well after a bit ofpractice.

I am a lefty and I have the same problem about what side. We cannot do the cutting the same as right haned. It does make a big difference.

I used the rotary cutter to cut a panel out of some fabric I bought at a yard sale. DOn't ask me what it is, lol...but it is soft and silky feeling. I cut a panel out and made a bag, and had no trouble following my line. Thanks for tipping me to switching the blade to the other side.

I agree. The Shape Cut mat could be your answer. The slots hold your blade in place and make your cuts straight. I really love mine and use it everytime I cut fabrics for a quilt.