this is probably a silly question but do left handers cut fabric with left or right hand? are there compensations to be made for left handers in sewing? My sis is left handed and I know she does some stuff dif - or at least looks awkward to a right hander - just wondered as so much stuff is designed for right handers.

I use left handed scissors, unless I have the universal ones like my lightweight Ginghers. I cut with the rotary cutter and hand sew with my left hand, but I have no other accommodations. We lefties are a versatile lot.

I am ambidextrous ~ So I can rotary cut with either hand (helpful because I don't have the rotating cutting mat, I feel like they are unstable). I never thought about it, does she sew with lining the fabric up to the R or L of the needle? Hand sewing she would be fine, just going backward to stitch from what a righty would do :)

I agree. We have had to adapt to a right handed world but it is really wonderful that there are left handed rotary cutters and the spring action scissors are the bomb!

I have a hard time with rotary cutting. Seems like the ruler is always on the wrong side. Sometimes I cut with my right hand just to see if it's easier. Although my biggest problem with rotary cutting is that my ruler always seems to slide and so I don't get a straight cut.

I am a lefty but I use both right and left equally. Where I grew up the teachers didn't believe that it was right for a child to use the left hand so I was forced to do things with my right hand. Until my Mom found out but by then it was too late.

Ugh, my 2nd grade teacher did that to me ... boy was my mom angry! But it makes me more versatile now. I bowl, shoot pool, rotary-cut, and eat left handed. Draw half-n-half right/left. Write right-handed.

I can cut with either hand. I like the yellow Olfa cutters. I do most other things with either hand, but do write with my left.

I only write with my left hand unless it is on a chalk board.

Lefty here. I use the rotary cutter in the left hand. Do most everything except play golf left handed.
I only play golf righty because I learned with right handed clubs and never tried to change.

I use my rotary cutter with either hand. I have had fractures in both wrists at different times and learned to compensate.

lefty here and I rotary cut mostly with my right, but I can use both.

I don't understand the backwardness that some lefties run into LOL! I've cross stitched forever, knit, etc...and even though I hold my needle in my left hand when I do needlework, I do it the same way a righty does.

I usually rotary cut using my left hand but when I cut with scissors I use my right. Your sister will find what works best for her. As you can see by the responses you have received, most Lefties adapt well. If she uses her left to rotary cut she will be happier with the ergonomic cutter.

Me too!! And I use the sewing machine just like everybody else- needle center (or right for scant) and edge of fabric to the right..

I use my left hand for everything except scissors.
JulieM

My sister has left-handed scissors and cuts with her left hand.

how long did it take you to use one of your fractured wrists to rotary cut? i had rt. distal radius surgery on 10/20/10 and was told by the doctor 4 weeks ago "not yet." i see him this afternoon. i'm having a hard time using my left hand for rotary cutting....hard to hold ruler with my right arm laying on it.

patsy

when I taught a leftie, I had her look at me with a mirror. that helped.

I'm naturally left handed. With my left hand I rotary cut, pin, cut with scissors, hand sew, embroider, paint, draw and write. I knit, crochet, iron and use the sewing machine right handed. The right handed skills were learned from family members. My Mom set up the ironing board right handed and she taught me to sew. I learned to knit and crochet from my grandmother. The only specifically left handed equipment I have are my scissors. The easiest way for me to learn a new sewing skill, for example, is to sit facing someone as they demonstrate. I've had many people over the years comment to me that left handed people look awkward. I just do what I have to do to make it happen! 8 > )

I am right handed but had a left handed mother so tend to do a lot of stuff left handed.......including using scissors. I have left and right handed scissors depending on the day! As someone else said earlier, the spring operated ones are wonderful as I always have the right (sorry) for the job ready!

my dd is a lefty, but uses scissors right handed, grampa also a lefty said she needed to learn how. He taught her how.

I'm ambidextrous but primarily right handed. I do lots things left handed, like winding a ball of yarn. I can write left handed, learned how when I broke my right shoulder,clavicle and tore a rotator cuff muscle.