Pinking rotary cutter?
 

I saw a pinking rotary cutter and purchased it because I had just started a quilt project with some cheap fabric that was making each block look like spaghetti squash innards on the back.

I sew the pieces, press to set, then trim the seam before pressing to the dark. It works very well.

I just wonder if I can use it for cutting the pieces, but it seems it would add an eighth of an inch unless I decided the up or down of the curve is true. Anyone use pinking for the first cuts?[ATTACH=CONFIG]541911[/ATTACH]

I've used the pinking rotary blade but not for cutting quilting pieces - as they need to be accurate.

Be very careful if you use it with a ruler. The shape of the blade makes it easy to jump over the top of the ruler and can be dangerous. Good place to use a Klutz Glove if you have one. The only time I use mine, and not for fabric, is in a cutter/ruler combo, not a rotary handle.

I mostly use mine to cut backgrounds for hand appliqué. It will be handled a lot and the pinked edges won't ravel.

it has been mentioned on the QB many times about precuts having pinked edges... do you use the innie or the outie to measure your 1/4" seam. in the case of cutting your own pieces with the rotary cutter, it would be the innie to measure your seam from since that is the edge of the blade against the ruler. not only be careful of the other cautions mentioned, but note that the cutter can damage the edge of your ruler. although it would be twice the work, i'd opt to cut with a straight blade and use the pinking blade later. you also might consider making your cut pieces bigger and sew a bigger seam allowance so that the pinking does not leave you with a very narrow seam allowance.

I don't use the pinking blade for making the 1st cut but I do use it when I go to cut apparel fabrics. Later though when I'm trimming my quilt after quilting it I might use the pinking blade so I don't get so many loose threads while I'm hand stitching the binding onto the back.

I had thought of buying one and then decided I wouldn't use it. I don't like sewing with the charms and jelly rolls that are pinked.

I used to sew garments and used pinking shears to keep fabric from raveling. If you can do that in garment sewing, I thought why not use a pinking blade for cutting my pieces to make quilts. Also I can not stand the raveling strings on the back of the quilt top when you use a regular blade. Using a pinking blade has worked out well for me. If you cut everything with a pinking blade, it should match up. You will have to change blades more often so that your blade will be sharp to cut through multiple layers. I watch ebay for good prices. I do not buy the off brand ones, only Olfa that fits my rotary cutter. I have not had a problem with the cutter jumping over the ruler, but I am always careful to make sure my fingers are placed well away from the cutting area when I hold the ruler down.

Pat in Arkansas

I've only used it for silk because I used a larger seam allowance. Otherwise I've used it to cut paper for decorations. I've seen Nancy Zieman use it to cut around curvy pieces, but not for precise patchwork cutting.

Thank you all! I had not thought of the ruler jumping possibility! Nor had I realized that charms come pinked. I think I will give it a try on small project.

if you cut the entire quilt out with the pinking blade it wouldn't matter as long as it's all done the same

I have only used my pinking blade cutter for rag rugs...

I love to make bookmarks with scraps using the pinking blade. I use them in my quilting books and give them away to friends with a cookbook or novel.

I have also used the pinking blade to make blocks for a rag quilt. I cut both quilt back squares and background squares used to make the top or front of the quilt using the pinked blade. For the front blocks of the quilt I made a pinwheel block, put a circle template over the pinwheel block and used the pinked blade to cut out the circle. Next, Layer the background square, batting , and pinked pinwheel circle. Sew the circle to the background. That is the front block of the quilt. You will place the circle pinwheel block over square batting and backing square. Sew Backing, Batting and front pinwheel square with 1/2' seam allowances as done when making a rag quilt. The Pinked edges of the blocks look cute facing up. My quilt is very scrapping and I wish I used all the same color background squares. I call it colors gone wild. :)

thanks for the ideas on uses of the pinking blade

I have used this tool for cutting but not for quilt squares or pieces. The inaccuracy is the problem. I have used it for making pennants for party decorations and for some other "craft" projects that tended to fray. A useful tool but not for quilting. (I have enough problems with accurate cutting without setting my self up for failure.)

I have a pinking blade for my rotary cutter, but I do not use it for cutting pieces for a quilt. I've used mine for seams when making clothes for our DGD, as well as craft items. It is fun to use.

I used a pinking blade for preparing table toppers for my daughter's wedding--but it really chewed up my cutting mat.

I've always been curious if you have to use a special rotary cutter when using a pinking blade?

This also happened when I was using a pinking blade and when you run the ruler over with the blade it gets dull quick. So I taped two rulers of the same size together and this seems to have helped a lot.

Psquared52,
it fits my current Olaf cutter, and I had a spare (it disappeared few long enough I bought another, then it magically reappeared, I blame elves, certainly not poor organization).

I used mine just last week to cut squares from my regular material to mix with squares from a charm pack that were already pinked.