I am now cutting scraps, one layer at a time. A not so sharp blade cuts through one layer pretty easy.

I'm surprised that new blades don't come in pretty colors now. I bet that will be an option soon.

I watch the quilting and sewing shows and I see them just whizzing through their fabric effortlessly with their rotary cutters. I've had countless new Olfa blades through the years and mine never cut well without applying a lot of pressure which is why I really detest the cutting part of quilting. Anyone else have this problem?

For me, it's the mat... My big mat has some deep grooves in it and needs to be replaced (but OH the cost!). I think I'm dulling my blades running them over those deep grooves.

I change mine whenever I have to go over the cut several times because it's just not going through. But I also have a blade sharpener so it prolongs the life of the blade a bit longer.

This is interesting to me... I don't have this problem at all. I hardly use any pressure, especially with a new blade. I would be curious to watch you cut... I feel like something other than the blade is contributing to your difficulty. Do you belong to a guild, or have a LQS nearby that has sewing days? Maybe someone could watch you and make suggestions.

It might help to change the way you hold the rotary cutter? I was watching the Midnight Quilt Show with Angela Walters, and she has a real death grip on her cutter, and seems to use a lot of pressure and wobble a lot. Many times these problems are fixed by extending your index finger in front along the rotary cutter.

I am teaching a good friend how to cut fabric, and in watching her, found that she was better able to cut without difficulty when she held the rotary cutter more horizontally than vertically.

You probably know this but it is worth mentioning since you are having such a hard time cutting. Are you also using a Olfa cutter with the Olfa blades? The Olfa blade has a different shape in the center of the blade & some cutters only work with the round center. If you are using a cutter other than an Olfa then try & buy some blades w a round center like maybe Fiskars or whatever brand. The Olfa blades are great with the Olfa cutters.

My sew group found out that the surface the mat is on plays a big part in cutting. We had a mat on on table and the rotary cutting was horrible. Skips and had to use a lot of pressure. Same mat and cutter on another table top and it was like cutting butter. ?

I can use any blades in any of my cutters, Olfa, Fiskars, and I think I have an off brand. I finally figured out why some places I cut are better than others. It has nothing to do with the blade (although a sharp one helps) or the mat or the combination of mat and blade. Speaking only for me, it has to do with the kind of table. I have one that sort of "gives" in the middle when I exert any pressure on the cutter. It always happens in the same place, so I move cutting places and it is better. Go figure. The surface the mat is on really does count!!