if you are afraid of cutting yourself get the "clutz glove" - it even has little grippies to help you hold your mat.

Also, make sure your hip is aligned with your shoulder and directly in line with where you are making your cut. if you don't then you could be leaning the blade left or right which will result in poor cuts.

Definately worth going to a LQS and asking for help. Or ask a friend for a cutting demonstration and then ask to have your technique watched to see if you need any adjustments.

Good Luck!

You may need to ajust the tention nut to a looser setting so it cuts smoother.

I have decided to purchase new blades and a new mat. Also will be buying some cheap fabric and just cut till I get it right. Did not know about the glove, Will be looking into that also. My Mat is about 5yrs old.And that part about white knuckling it, That is me. I got the cutter out and took a good look at the way I used it. Seems that I put a lot of pressure on it when cutting. Should it be held at an angle? I also seem to want to use it straight up and down? I think I am going to think of it as a Pizza Cutter and see how that goes. lol
A Big THANK YOU goes out to each and everyone of you for your Help and suggestions.

Sometimes , even the wrong kind of blade will skip. Make sure you have the exact blade your cutter calls for.

I have found I sometimes hold the blade at the wrong angle and it skips. I slant it too much and then it skips. I currently have a blade with bad spot in it where I hit a pin and it is driving me nuts. Only blade I have. Going shopping today. Hope I can find a coupon.

I have found that if I tighten the screw that holds the blade in place too much it causes skipping. Try loosening the screw. Carefully try to turn the blade and make sure it is turns easily. Try even firm pressure when you are cutting, and don't be afraid of it. If you are afraid you will cut yourself Fons and Porter sell gloves that can protect your fingers. Good luck.

You might want to check your self-healing mat. Sometimes there are grooves or ruts from frequent cutting in the same spot which can cause the rotary cutter to skip a thread or two.

4) Also, check that you don't have a build up of lint on the blade (clean and lightly oil the blade), this may help.
5) make sure the blade is tight.

this is a glove that is resistant to cutting. It does not mean that you can't get cut.. JFYI.. Lindsey

Also check to be sure the blade is on tight. Several times I have put in a new blade and had trouble. Once that was tightened it was better.