I don't know if it is the same kind of problem as "I can't draw a straight line using a ruler"....and I swear, I really can't, or just because I am left handed, but I cannot cut with the rotary cutter. I am messing up fabric, and I have been practicing on scraps, too. I use my clear plastic ruler, my heavy duty wooden ruler, try religiously to follow the lines in my cutting mat...all useless. I really need to be able to cut straight with it, and not look like I was on a roaring drunk before I picked it up.

I hate to have to take my fabric to the LQS and ask them to cut strips for the quilt I am trying to make for my cousin. Not that I won't if I have to, mind you, because I really love that cousin, but I need to be able to do it myself. HELP!!!

Have you tried a left handed rotary cutter?

http://www.amazon.com/Gingher-01-002.../dp/B0026IPASQ

Did you reverse the cutter blade? They come packaged for us righties. You need to change the blade's location to the side that works best for you.

BTW, the ruler "draws" the straight line.

Most cutters can be reversed! Just change the blade location.

One idea is to get one of the cutting systems that are out there. Another would be to get some private lessons at your LQS on cutting. Have someone watch you cut and maybe they can diagnose where the problem is. If the ruler is moving on you, there are grippers to hold it in place.

Are your cuts in a straight line but not perpendicular to the edge of the fabric or are they just generally weaving?

I am left handed and I only had a problem of which side to cut. Make sure you are presses down hard enough.
Just practice and you will get the hang of it. Are you changing your blades?

I don't think it is because you are left handed, I have the same problem but was thinking it is something wrong with me. It looks straight until I cut it and then it looks like I was drunk or something I hold my ruler there and everything but still comes out crazy.

Grannie Annie is right - make sure your blade is on the right side. You want the line up to be: Your hand, the rotary cutter, the blade, then the ruler. And make sure you have a sharp blade in it.

I am left handed, but I don't think that's the problem. I have trouble cutting a straight line with a regular ruler. The June Tailor Shape cutter with the slots has been a strip saver for me. I think my problem is that my hands are very strong and I don't hold the cutter against the ruler well enough. Shape Cutter, here I come.

I am left handed and I can use a rotary cutter without problems. Be sure to keep your cutter snug against your clear ruler.

Here is a left handed tutorial. http://www.purlbee.com/rotary-cutter-tutorial/

Less expensive left handed rotary cutters here: http://www.quiltbug.com/notions/rotary-cutters.htm

You might want to invest in an Accuquilt Go! die cutter. This is a really good home system for people who have difficulty making accurate cuts with a rotary cutter.

A much cheaper thing to try out first (for straight strips) would be a June Tailor Shape Cut mat. This is a flexible mat with cut-outs to hold your rotary cutter in place as you roll. If your problem is with how you are holding the rotary cutter (the blade should not be tilted as you roll), it will show up when you use this mat.

Altho not left handed, most people try placing their cutter down then cutting. My teacher taught me to place cutter, start cutting then cut into fabric. Come in at an angle. If you place too much pressure on the ruler, you will move it out of place. sut.
Of course you have to have your selvadges matched up and your fabric squared before you start cutting.

Another thought: have you ever tried to cut right handed? It may work.

Another frequent error is having your cutting table height either too low or too high-- either will tend to make your cuts poor.

RST

OMG! I thought it was just me! Lefty too and sometimes my cuts are really wonky and frustrating as all get out! Thanks for the sigh of relief - I will be checking out these links this evening. Thank you all!

When I took my beginning quilting class, the instructor probably spent close to half an hour talking about cutting, Proper ruler placement, how to hold the ruler and walk your hand up to follow the cut, how to hold the cutter, actually making the cut etc.
So you can see that there is a bit to it. I agree with going to your LQS, or a quilting friend to get some pointers.
You make a comment about the lines on your mat. Normally you don't use these lines for measuring or cutting, just rough estimates.

Duh. I didn't realize I could switch the blade. I did, and it already made a world of difference. I do have some problem with the ruler sliding on me, and have looked for some of those strips to make it non slippery, but couldn't find them. Thanks for the help. I will watch the tutorial, too, and practice, practice, practice,....but already, this is easier.

[quote=GrannieAnnie]Mu rulers don't behave, because my lines all run amok.

I went to Lowe's and got a pkg of clear bumps. They stick to bottom of ruler and really help hold them in place.
Also, I use a ruler to find where I want to cut, place another ruler against it, move the first ruler and then cut. I think that means I measure to right of ruler, but cut to left of other ruler. I am right handed, but since using two rulers I get straight lines. Maybe some of us need to measure on one side & cut on the other. I think we all have to find what works for us individually. I cannot fold fabric more than once or I get the wonky angle at the fold.

I also have trouble with the dreaded V on the fold most of the time. If I take the time to find the straight of grain by ripping WOF and then line up the selvages; I usually do all right. Some fabrics seem to be too warped no matter what and then I just cut parallel to the selvages instead of WOF.

To keep the ruler from sliding I have put sand paper dots on my small 6.5" square ruler that I use when squaring up patches or fussy cutting. When cutting WOF, I use my 6 x 24" ruler and keep my pinky & ring fingers on the matt to steady the ruler & slide my hand up it if necessary; pausing with the rotary cutter while I slide.

I keep looking at the June Tailor Shape Cut Plus ruler and daydreaming but I have the Alto Quilt Cut and need to make more use out of it. It will hold the cutting guide & fabric steady but I normally only use it for cutting scraps into usable sizes. I got in the habit of that even though I know it will work for yardage and just haven't forced myself to do it.

Others seem to like using the suction cup handle things on their rulers. There is a thread on this board about finding them at Harbor Freight for much less than the quilt shops charge.

I read on here (don't remember who posted it sorry) to keep the ruler from slipping you can glue small squares of sandpaper to the bottom. might be worth a try

I am a righty and I get wonky cuts sometimes, and I know it is because my ruler slips.

I learned on here that it is cheap to paint a line of rubber cement on the back of the rulers and let dry. It has helped with the slipping of the ruler alot. I did it around all sides and an x in the middle of the larger squares. I let it dry overnight and that was fine.

I've noticed that I'm most likely to get wonky cuts if my fabric is not perfectly straight and flat under the ruler. If the top layer of fabric is smooth but the underneath layer is the least bit loose then a 'bump' will form as you go forward and bye-bye straight cut.

When you lay your fabric out on your cutting mat make sure that the fabric lays evenly on one of the lines at the bottom of the mat and also along one side. This will mean that the fabric is squared on the mat. Then when you use your cutting ruler be sure your ruler marks are even at the top and bottom of the fabric according to the lines on the mat. When you cut this way everything is in square and you won't get angled cuts. The rubber cement tip is a great one and I've used that for a long time. My ruler doesn't slip at all as long as I apply even pressure to the ruler. I use a 45 rotary cutter blade, I found the larger the blade the harder it is to keep it rolling straight. I also have some size 20 cutters and blades that I use to square up blocks. That might just be me but I find the smaller sizes to be more accurate when I make the cuts.

If you continue having problems you might want to look at Alto's Quilt Cut 2. It does make cutting much easier.

I agree, height of your cutting surface matters as well as how you hold your rotary cutter. Something to help your ruler stay in place is also a great help.

ali

I really recommend the June Taylor Shape Cut. It has made a world of difference to me. I used to be afraid to cut, and I am not afraid anymore.

My LQS has a new rotary cutter and ruler set in. The rotary cutter is at an ergonomic angle and it rides along a little rail on the ruler edge. If I didn't have so much invested in other rulers, I would get it. Looks like it would be SOOO much easier to cut with. Maybe you can find one like it where you are?

I know a little of what you are talking about. I have no problem cutting even strips with my regular rotary cutter, but whenever I put my pinking blade on, it takes much more effort to keep my cutter right next to my ruler. My pinking blade seems to have a mind of it's own.

It would take longer, but how about trying with clamps on the rule - so that nothing shifts?

My Mom told me that to keep the lines straight against the ruler when you cut with a rotary cutter, you put your blade next to the ruler and then slant it just a bit, so you are more or less pushing the blade against the edge of the ruler. That keeps the blade in place and insures a nice straight cut. Edie

PS - Moms know best you know!!!!

I , too , am left-handed and the best rotary cutter is the Martelli, they are out of Florida and I find with it I have much more control. Very easy to use, been using theym for several years now and love them.

I'm right handed and I used to have problems cutting with my rotary cutter. I decided that being nervous about cutting and wasting fabric was one reason. I would get shaky everytime I would make a cut. So I decided that I would slow down, breathe and forget about being afraid things wouldn't turn out perfectly. I have also discovered that not all new rotary blades are made with smooth edges. Some I have bought make jagged cuts almost chopping the fabric while other blades cut smoothly. I always buy Olfa and Fiskars.

I hope you figure out a way to cut your fabric. I recently purchased a June Tailor Shape Cutter on the advice of another quilter here and it has made a big improvement. Good luck. :)

I've only been quilting for about a year and I'm right handed but for about 6-9 months my cuts were horrible, I was ready to quit. Then like riding a bike the more you practice the better you get at it.

Hi maybe something like this will help you cut your strips. Good Luck I also had trouble when i first started to quilt. Don't give :)
It's the June Taylor Shape Cut.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pETsJf2nNQE

I have a lot of problems with my hands. I was left handed but had to teach myself to cut using my right hand. I always had trouble trying to use a rotary cutter. It does take practice. I have found that this rotary cutter works best for me. It is shaped different but, I find it easy to use.
http://www.connectingthreads.com/too...aryCutter.html

I bought a shape cutter so I can cut straight better. I said I would never get one. However the older I get the weaker my hands seem to get so, I decided to buy one and let the machine do it for me. I got the larger cutter so, I don't have to hold the machine while I turn the handle. The weight of the cutter makes it stationary.

I stopped drinking when I am cutting. It helps a lot :P

I had trouble at first with my ruler moving during the cut. I discovered that I was leaning the cutter blade into the ruler. Be sure you are keeping the blade straight. And yes, get some grippers to hold ruler in place.

do you use little sandpaper dots on the bottom of your ruler to keep it from slipping?

do you use little sandpaper dots on the bottom of your ruler to keep it from slipping?