power rotary cutters
 

Does anyone have experience with these and if so what do you recommend. I have tendonitis and arthritis and looking to make cutting easier.

Didnt even know such a thing existed... hmm go figure... Curious to read what others think..

I would be leery of power rotary cutters. Bad enough cutting oneself under our own power much less under electrical power.

Would be interested to hear about them too. Sounds bulky to me.

I assume you're talking about the Simplicity rotary cutting machine? I have watched the video but have never seen one in person. In the video it looks like it would be very difficult to hold the fabric exactly straight while feeding it through the machine. And unlike sewing, you can't un-cut your fabric. So I'm uninformed, but very skeptical.

Yikes sounds to much like one of DH's power or table saws--okay now I've really scared myself. What about one of the cutters with the dies, are they easier on arthritis and tendonitis?

I don't think I'd buy one. Buy I don't have arthritis. It's so easy to cut strips on your own strength, but if a power one came out and it was so awesome, I might THINK about it. Boy, you could really hurt yourself with a power cutter, couldn't you? Nah, I don't think I'd buy one.

I have seen them sold at nancy's notions, but they are so new I figured there weren't many reviews yet

I'm assuming you are talking about the hand held ones. The first time I saw one was a couple of years ago. We were on vacation in Gatlinburg and visited a quilt shop. The husband used one to cut my fabrics. It did cut likety split! The owner said they had purchased it at a trade show and it was over $300 but both he and she said that was cheaper than the self healing mats they were constantly replacing. I saw one being used by one of the designers on the show Project Runway All Stars this past season. The other designers were unimpressed with it.

If you are talking about the Simplicity Rotary Cutter, don't waste your money. Do a search here on the board; many negative reviews. I had one that I got as a gift when they first came out. I couldn't cut a straight strip with it to save my soul.

If you are talking about the Simplicity rotary cutting machine, I purchased one. I tried to use it and it seemed to me to be more trouble than it was worth. It is now sitting in storage. I use the June Tailor rulers. I paid around $100.00 (with a coupon at JoAnn's) for it when I first started quilting. I was having a hard time cutting a straight strip I kept getting an elbow (bend) in my fabric. With the JT rulers I cut fine. Someday I will get rid of it. Now I try to be careful of the things I purchase. BrendaK
Maybe some people will like the machine. I DON'T.

I know of a LA'er who uses one to cut batting and trim quilts. It was very expensive but she has a flourishing business. I got to try it and found it very heavy, such that it isn't even an option for me.

They have similiar at a shop near me to cut the fabric quickly. Just think how quickly you could cut wrong sizes shapes and sizes.
Good point then you would need to do more fabric shopping. I'll keep to slow and steady.

i think i'd have to agree with those who "worry" it might not be your safest option.
a power cutter is bound to be heavier than a standard rotary cutter.
your two conditions together increase the chance of accidents with such a device.

here are some things you might be able to do to reduce your discomfort when cutting:
1. check the height of your cutting surface. if it's too low, you can't cut in a comfortable position. your surface should be at at least high enough to reach just below your belly button. i recently indulged myself in a fancy-shmancy ironing center. it's just a small cabinet with leaves on each side that create a long, rectangular surface. the pad comes off, so it doubles as my cutting table.
2. sharpen your blades often and change your blades to new ones more frequently.
3. check out some of the ergonomic cutters now on the market. can you get to a quit show? that would be a good chance to test a variety of cutters without spending money first in search of just the right cutter.

the Simplicity electric strip cutter can do a very nice job cutting long strips, but it does take practice. a lot of practice. (i also found that it's easier to get a clean, straight cut if i starch the heck out of the fabric first.) i use mine to cut binding strips. i always run scraps through mine first each time i use it so i can retrain myself and find "the zone".

Don't bother….If you have tendonitis - have you tried the Martelli ergonomic cutters? Periodically, they have them on their REDLINE DIRECT monthly sale for 50% off - and make both right and left hand models. I find those so comfortable to use……..and the Martelli blades outlast any other brand - also on sale periodically for 50% off……..

One other option - if you need to cut strips or shapes - is to check with your LQS and see if they have an Accucut Studio machine………my LQS will, for a very small annual fee ($30)…allow me to use their studio and their dies to cut fabric…...

Good luck and Happy Quilting!!

I've never heard of a power rotary cutter, I'd sure like to see one. They sound much too expensive for home use though.

I have a accuquilt go cutter and I think you could use it instead of a rotary cutter for most things, as long as the patches you want to cut are standard sizes. If you could find a quilt shop or a friend that has a die cutter you should try one out first.
This book is great to read before you buy, I wish I had bought the Sizzix Big Shot Pro instead of the GO.

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Fa...rds=ebony+love

There is a facebook page called Accuquilt and beyond where people talk about die cutters. You can get a lot of good info there.
Good Luck,
cindy

If you are talking about the simplicity cutter it does not work. I had one and was very patient with it and could not get the material feed properly. I tried very starched material and it still did not work.

I second the Martelli ergonomic rotary cutter. It is easier to use than I ever expected. Helps me a lot to avoid wrist pain.

I have not heard of them before. They sound kind of scary!

Another option would be to use jelly rolls and other pre-cuts to decrease the amount of cutting you need to do. Know this can become a problem, suffer from it myself.

I use one when sewing for a woman who makes canvas bags. It's ok for straight cutting,,,,,,,but you have to draw lines because you put the fabric between the blade and a guide on the bottom. Definitely not a fan and would never use one of regular fabric. I need my regular rotary cutter for precise cutting.

I had a power scissors that I really liked but it quit working, so I put them up and
Now I can't find them. I think I'll find myself another one.

I have been checking on the Studio fabric cutter. Cuts up to 10 layers of fabric. Very pricey. I really have to think about this purchase for a long time. Plus all the different dies(?) are purchased separately.

well I never have heard of these but I read every single post hoping someone had and could tell us about them !!

I have used one and found I could not control the fabric going through. It oves so fast, and the one I used did not have a speed control button on it.

I agree with Shorebird. I have some hand issues and I wouldn't give up my Martilla rotary cutter or the Accucutter!

I also have tendinitis, but I think I will just continue to use my Fiskars ergonomic cutter. I would be terrified of losing a finger or worse using a power cutter when I already have gripping problems. The nice thing about the ergonomic cutter is I can grab it in many different positions depending on my hands each time I pick it up. Just my thoughts.

I saw one advertised in a quilting magazine and it was very expensive. Not a good option for me. I do love my power scissors tho and often wonder why Joannes doesn't furnish them to those poor clerks that cut fabric all day. Their hands must really hurt by the end of the day

I haven't heard about these either. I am interested in reading the reviews though.

I saw it in Nancy's Notions and with RA I was tempted until my DH reminded me how accident pron I am. He was afraid I would cut the cord or my finger off. That and the price made me decide not to buy it.

I have electric scissors I use in dressmaking. Would those be helpfull?
jeannedog

I also recommend the Martelli rotary cutter. I have tendinitis and RA. I could cut for about 5 minutes before the Martelli. I no longer have the pain radiating up my arm or my hand going to sleep. My hand does ache but I can use it for an hour before I have to let it rest. Usually in an hour I have cut enough to sew awhile, iron seams and put a couple of blocks together before I need to cut again. It did take a little getting use to. I recommend watching the video on the website. They show you how to hold it, unlock and lock it and where to put your thumb and first finger. I love mine. I showed it to several ladies in my sewing ministry with the same kind of hand problems. At least one of them has ordered one.

constantly replacing mats? hmmm. I've heard of scissors doing the cutting for you but not rotary cutters. I would buy pre-cuts or get those machines that cut shapes first. or find someone to cut different shapes needed. Good luck.

If you are talking about the battery powered ones I have two of them and love them. They are easy to control and cut well. They also hold a charge well. I bought them at Sears for less than $30.00 apiece. I also have the Simplicity cutting machine and don't like it at all.

I did a search for power rotary cutters and found this link, http://www.allbrands.com/categories/1914. Looks like there are many types, and brands.

never heard of them

Well lookie there they do have some. Although for some reason they all look heavy and more cumbersom than the ones we power ourselves. Not sure it would benefit someone with arthritis etc. They look like an finger cutting off accident just waiting to happen....

the Martelli looks good for arthritis (which I also have) found one on ebay for $22 see description below....

[h=2]Martelli Ergo 2000 45mm Rotary Cutter[/h]Cutter fits in a natural hand postition and is engineered for easy maneurverability. Hand pressure points are evenly distributed when cutting. Hand placement requires less pressure when cutting. Great for those with arthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, hand fatigue, neck & arm pain. Has automatic spring-loaded guard. Flips guard open with finger or rolls open on mat.

LMAO - some look like they could have been used in the Spanish Inquisition.

I'd want to read some reviews before I spent that kind of money. They all look a little different.