My 9 year old son has shown interest in learning how to sew. I have an old machine for him to learn on and he knows this. He has picked out some precut fabric that he wants to work with. The question that I have is how young would you allow them to use the rotary cutter and rulers? In case he needs to cut some strips for the quilt top. It just makes me nervous to have either of my kids around that or would a plain scissors work the best?

I would not let a 9 year old use one. I would cut it for him.

I would cut for him too.

That is what I was thinking. I have been noticing a few other kids around this age making things and just wanted to ask. Thanks for the into.

I almost had a heart attack when I cought my kids using the rotary cutter.
Invest in one of the ones that have a blade -mat- and ruler all in one if you want him to use the rotary cutter.

I cut everything for Emi and I am watching him when he is sewing at the machine. I have been sewing for years and sewed my finger a few months ago. He would stop sewing if that happened to him. He picks colors and fabrics, sews under supervision and sews the back of the binding. I do his quilting because I know is hard and I don't want him frustrated so early.

scissors have worked for generations and young kids already know how to use them. Keep the rotary cutter locked up.

I would either cut them for him or get an AccuQuilt for him to use...rotary cutters scare me even at 61 yrs young...lol...
Naomi :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

18!!!and not a moment before!!!
my granddaughter's and all the kids in our family started sewing at 4 & 5 years old- not a single one of them was ever allowed anywhere near a rotory cutter before they turned 18---they used scissors just like they use in 4-h or home ec classes!
rotory cutters are razor blades and can easily cut fingers OFF! one of my son's old girl friends (at 22 years old) was in the studio one day working on a project- listening to music- dancing around---ran the rotory cutter off the ruler---to the tune of 57 stitches!!!
when the kids were little they used scissors- and any pressing that needed to be done was done by an adult.
they were taught to use wooden irons- and to finger press- when fabric needed more than that they took it to an adult-
i believe SAFETY should ALWAYS COME FIRST!!! it is no fun when it hurts!
and NO CHILD SHOULD BE ANYWHERE NEAR A ROTORY CUTTER- ANY MORE THAN YOU WOULD LET THEM PLAY WITH A BOX CUTTER- OR ANY OTHER RAZOR BLADE!!!
all the boys in our family are great quilters = very creative- they start right out challenging you - it is great to encourage them- but teach them to use scissors.

My granddaughters were using my rotary cutters when they were like seven and nine.

(Not necessarily with permission - the first time)

Get a cutter that automatically closes when it's put down.

I hear about very young children working in sweat shops in foreign countries -

Teach him how to use the tools properly -

ditto
I cut for both my Grands til they were 12. Even then I only let them use the rotary cutter when I was with them and could oversee.

My son is 8 and I cut the pieces for him. He is allowed to use scissors and I watch him if he uses the sewing machine. My 6 year old daughter sews by hand but doesn't get to use the scissors yet, I still handle them. It's amazing to see the creativity little kids have with fabric.

You know, I think that we wrap our children in too much cotton-wool sometimes. Obviously much would depend on the individual child in question (their age, maturity, and abilities), but I don't see any reason to blanket ban them from using any tools until they're a certain age. Except power tools, perhaps!

My eldest daughter is 13 years old (will be 14 in February) and I trust her completely around a stove and sharp kitchen knives. She can, and often does, make full dinners for the entire family, unsupervised. It's an incredible help because her father and I both have to work full-time, but I had started teaching her how to cook and how to respect the dangers long before I had to go back to work.

My next daughter is nine years old and has been using "dangerous" tools for some time. Two years ago she used a soldering gun to build her science fair project (supervised). I wouldn't allow her to use a sewing machine or a rotary cutter unsupervised, but if I was in the sewing room and she wanted to work on her projects, I would let her have at it.

My youngest will be 6 in December and she isn't allowed to use anything except pins and snub-nosed scissors (supervised of course!) As she gets older I'll "graduate" her to more things she can use.



It wasn't that long ago that children and teens/young adults were expected to know how to use and do things that nowadays we think they can't or shouldn't be allowed to do.

I have a klutz glove that any child who ever touches a rotary cutter is "required" to wear. I have seen too many people (adults) which hugh bandages on their hands when they slipped with the rotary.

no rotary cutter in my opinion

I TOO would NOT let him cut with a rotary cutter. He is probably OK with the sewing machine. There was a search on QB recently for a device that looks like a scrapbooking paper cutter but it cuts fabric. Eleanor Burns demo it on her TV show when she had a young girl she was teaching how to quilt. Something you might want to look into for him. Men DO love power tools !!! GOOD LUCK !!! :mrgreen:

There is a ruler and cutter all in one now, new on the market. It cost about 45.00. the blade runs on a lip of the ruler and there is no way you can cut yourself.

Scissors. Worked for our mothers and will work for today's younger quilters.

I would say it's what you feel comfortable with.

The most important thing, whether or not you let him use it is to make sure he knows the proper way to work with all tools. Take the mystery out of it for him so he's not tempted to try to use it behind your back, which could definitely end badly.

I'm 24 years old and even just today I cut myself a bit with my rotary. Whoops!

Good luck!

I was thinking this also. Had not thought about the age to let them use a Rotary Cutter, but 18 sounds good to me. When I am using a Rotary Cutter, the kids are not allowed near me. Yes, I have cut myself a little bit, not bad but none the less. I can see him use a scissors when needed. And always under the very close eye of me. This will be a new advantage for him and he is looking forward to it. I mentioned it to him and he would love to start yesterday :lol:

I need to get my old machine out and working first and he needs to have some free time before we go down this path.

Thanks for all the replies.

The funny thing is that he is more scared of the rotary cutter than anything. Both my boys have been taught to respect it and not to touch it. That is unless they want to get into trouble :mrgreen:

The idea of teaching them how to use it is great. That will happen, but I do not think I am ready for that, nor has he been interested in it yet....

My grand daughter is 13, has been quilting for about 5 years, but I do all the cutting with the rotary cutter.

I want to purchase a klutz glove and some of those ruler guards then I will start her cutting, but until then I do the cutting.

Jean

I took the mystery out of it for my DGD. Using an old blade I showed her how easy it was to cut a hot dog and told her fingers are like hot dogs. It worked.

Brilliant!

My children (who are now 11 and 12) sew and quilt. They use scissors and if there is a need for a rotary cutter...an absolute need - which if you think about it there really isn't an absolute need b/c people have been quilting forever without rotary cutters - I do the cutting for them.

They've been sewing and piecing quilt tops for a couple of years. There is no need for a rotary cutter.

Yes, there are rotary cutters that automatically close when you put them down. How does that prevent a child from cutting themselves as they are cutting strips? It doesn't.

Supervision, being in the same room and keeping an eye on them. How does that prevent a child from cutting themselves as they are cutting fabric?

You may think I'm harsh but I'm 40 years old. I'm careful and I've worked with dangerous tools all my life.

In June I cut the end of my finger, including a large portion of my finger nail. I not only cut it, I cut it off.

I didn't clip the bone or anything, because it was more of a slice along the side and tip because of the way I was holding my ruler.

I was holding the rotary cutter, no one would have been able to grab the cutter away from me to prevent my injury regardless of how close they were watching.

Please, there is no need for a child to use a rotary cutter. Scissors, they have been used for years before rotary cutters even existed. Scissors, many of my quilting ladies who I take classes with and sew with, cut with scissors.

Safety first. I agree with so many who have posted here--we used scissors for generations before rotary cutters--you wouldn't give a child a razor blade to play with. They are just as sharp. I think children are too easily distracted while they work. JMHO, but I would hate to hear about someone's child cutting themselves.
Sue

i would do the cutting and let him sew

I was using a rotary cutter when I was nine. My parents figured I was better off learning how to do it the right way with their tutelage than to half to try to mess around and give up on a project. (They also taught me to use the "real" stove when I was six. I was using it unsupervised on a regular basis by the time I was eight.) It depends on the kid - are they careful and focused, or are they easily distracted and klutzy? Do they regularly have small accidents with other stuff, or are they very careful? I was far more safety-conscious about stuff than my peers.

Scissors or you cut using the rotary cutter.

IMHO that is just to young. Accidents can happen so fast even to adults with good coordination.

First of all, it's wonderful that you are taking the time to teach your son how to sew.
Second, I respect you for being concerned about safety. If you are nervous about him using the rotary cutter, that's a good sign that he is too young.
Have fun!

I would not let him use a rotary cutter just yet.

If you give them safety instructions first and then don't hover too much, kids are generally OK with it all.Make sure everything works well.I think more accidents happen when tools are blunt or inadequate, I have had 7 year olds sewing and I keep an eye on tool use etc.They have to pass a licence test with me before I let them use everything.They don't mind, and understand it is for safety reasons.I give them a certificate and a bit of material when they are ready.I live in an area where there are not many kids now, and I miss having the sewing times.
PS Kids get to use these tools and power tools whilst they are in High School. In my opinion, the Science laboratory activities require closer vigilance.

Do you know what these cutters are called? I would love to purchase one.

Thanks,
Mary Lou

Give him some strict rules -- and he must always follow them, or.... Get a self closing cutter. He must ALWAYS wear shoes when cutting. Can only cut when you are right there. I've taught 6 grandkids, no one was ever cut. Teach him the safe way, he'll do it the safe way.

I would never let a 9 year old use a rotary cutter...but having said that...there is a lot he can do and learn, right up to the cutting stage...teach him to straighten the grain, use a ruler, use the markings on the mat, iron, how to stack fabric for cutting, how to read and follow a pattern...he can still participate a lot without risking stitches!

It all depends on the child!!!!! A nine year old can have the motor skills required to use rotary cutters, but may or maynot be responsible enough to respect the safety/dangers that go with the use of this tool. I have taught my autistic GD to quilt. We started when she was about eight. We took it step by step with a lot of safety instructions along the way. Because she was very accepting of safety issues there have never been issues. In fact it made me more aware of practicing safety. You know -- Lead by example.

probably 12 or 13 I think they are more wary of safety with a rotary cutter, but you can let him watch you so he can get the idea

My 11 year old grandson has shown an interest in sewing. He is able to sew a pretty accurate 1/4 inch seam. As to cutting - I have him use the Accuquilt Go. That cutting process is fun for him and even though I am constantly supervising, he enjoys being the one who is producing the cut pieces. I hide my rotary cutters when he is around - Absolutely not worth a chance of cut fingers!

That is a wonderful idea! I used scissors, to cut out my quilts, for many years so my kids will also use scissors. i'll have to check out those gloves.