LOL -- I can't guarantee it, but using a good acrylic ruler will help your cutting. Good deal....glad you gave it a go!!!! It really does get easier.......

Well done. No stopping you now.

Now you will have more confidence to really dig in and cut when you find your ruler :D:D:D

Believe me, I know how doing it that first timer is!! Sounds as if you had better luck than I did.

I can not imagine how people ever cut straight with scissors!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is the Rotary cutter or else might as well go read. I still just cut with 2 layers..anymore than that , it gets a little off.

Warning about using anything other than the acyrilic ruler.
The only time I ever cut myself (was just a little shaving of the top skin on my finger) was when I needed to quickly cut an additional strip. I couldn't find my regular 6"x24" ruler so I grabbed the metal 2" wide 48" rule from the hardware store. I was accustomed to holding my hands a certain way on the 6x24 and wasn't paying attention to the smaller space on the metal......you guessed it.....
Fortunately was not serious. So the warning is that when you use something that you are not accustomed to, take care how you hold it and place your hands.

If a day went by that I wasn't looking for something it would be a day to celebrate lol

Careful you don't cut it short on both ends.

Just joking. An old carpenters' joke but does work for quilting too. Hmmm.

ali

I used to use the clear ruler and rotary cutter, until I was introduced to the June Taylor shape cut!!!Wow, this thing is really super. Not I cut my strips with this and use the ruler for the smaller cuts. I really owe a "thank you" to those boards gals who told me about this. I had it for a long time, but didnt know how to use it.

It will become your best friend!!

Congrats on overcoming the first hurdle. If you have some fabric that you hate or won't use in a quilt, use it as a practice piece. Measure and cut to your heart's content.... just PLEASE be careful of your fingers! Practice makes (almost) perfect. :D

good job!!! suggest u get what is know as a klutz glove made by FOons and Porter, it will save u from cutting your self oh and please dont get into the bad habit I have I leave it locked open yep u guessed it I cut my finger real good while it was laying on my cutting board (locked open) now I try to remember never never to leave it locked open.

Yours in quilting
Chris

I only cut panels with scissors, everything else I use Rulers. Has anyone used the new edge rulers with grafite on the edge to help keep your rotary cutter sharp?

I've been remembering to lock it closed when finished cutting with it.

I agree and locked open cutters can fall on the floor (or your foot!) and then you have a flat spot in the blade that won't cut. Yuck! Then it's off to Harbour Freight for new blades!

did not know harbor freight had rotary cutting blades???

If I have to use a scissors, I just won't make the quilt. One of the best gadgets that I have come across for cutting strips and subcutting the strips is the June Taylor Shape Cut Plus. It makes a sometimes tedious job very easy. My first one was 12 inches long - gave that one to my DIL because I bought one that is 18 inches long. Love it.

I never know Harbor Freight had blades. I will definitely go to that store. THanks for the info.

Harbor Freight is a tool store in my area but u can go online and see what they sell, when I moved here I was supprised to see an actual store, Usually u only see em online