Rotary Cutters
 

how about a June tailor shape cut ruler
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I don't feel qualified to make a recommendation except to say that Fons and Porter use their "klutz glove" when they cut. Maybe it would be possible to get the small size one for each hand? And any other suggestions from our members.

Good for you and her mother for encouraging her to sew with REAL tools at a young age. I think using the toy stuff designed for children is just setting them up for failure. One thing I do to cut straight lines is mark the fabric on the edges where I want to cut then fold at the marks and press a crease. The crease makes it easy to follow the line. There are also gloves like this that are designed for cleaning fish.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cut-R...h-All+Products
The only problem is at 8 her hand would probably be way smaller than the glove.
Rodney

What about those rulers that have the ledge that the rotary cutter fits onto? That combined with a cutting glove of some sort might be ok? I think the rulers and cutter that works with it are called Tru cut - I think I saw them on The Grace Company website but I know they are not the only ones who sell them.
Good luck!

I wouldn't recommend it. I know grown women who have cut themselves bad with a rotary cutter. I say choose a pattern and cut them for her. There is plenty of time to learn how to use one. The danger is too great.

I just have to say that this is how I cut my finger (to the bone no less) when I was using the June tailor shape cut ruler.I am afraid that I was to preoccupied cutting my lines wasn't paying close enough attention and my fingers was lying in the same cutting slot.

I think maybe, with supervision only...it is easy to slip and lose a finger...I would cut it for her at this point...

This little gripper will keep her fingers away from the blade. http://www.heirloomcreations.net/sho...gypsy-gripper/

I have an Olfa rotary cutter and the blade is only exposed when the handle is squeezed. I bought it and my Klutz glove at the same time after cutting my finger very badly. I am not sure I would like my eight year old to use on without my being right there. I guess it would depend on the child. But, an instant is all it takes to really be injured. Maybe Rodney has the best idea.

Fiskars has a ruler with the blade included, it actually looks like a paper cutter. It only cuts a straight line. However, as she gets older she could advance to the more traditional rulers, cutter, and mat. I got one at Walmart years ago and used it after my hand surgeries.

i would recommend a ruler with a lip to grip onto the edge of the cutting mat. As well as a safety glove. Not sure, but maybe the ones designed for food service might be a tad more heavy duty than those for quilting???? Not sure. I bought one of those for a friend's older child last near...no clue if she's using it. Mom usually does the cutting. But I think the lip on the ruler would be a great help for her at this point.

I agree. I told my DGD, age 7, that she can use the rotary cutter when she is 18. I will draw lines for her to cut on. I did get her a good small scissors that she really like.

Perhaps for now your dgd should use pre-cuts. Rotary cutters are crazy sharp and can slice into a finger in a flash. Probably everyone on the QB has sliced a bit of finger off/up using one. It's not a matter of trusting your dgd, it's a matter of coordination, maturity and safety that makes me suggest pre-cuts. She sounds very mature and focused, but she's still 8.

The precuts could be pre-cut by you or her Mom, or store bought.

I think that eight years old is too young for an Olfa cutter. The cuts can be so bad with them. One slip and it's off to the ER. A little more practice and it won't be much longer before she will learn to cut straight lines.

IMO. 8 is too young. If she has trouble with coordination of straight lines with scissors...the rotary cutter is more challenging. My girlfriend, 10 yr experienced, cut the tip of her thumb off - when the rotary cutter jumped off the ruler.

I love the suggestion about pre-cuts. A million items could be created with charm squares. Also a nice pair of scissors will make cutting easier over time as she grows up.

While the Klutz glove does come in a small, I think that it would really be too big for a child's hand. Moda is coming out with a new tool (called a Sew Easy Ruler and Cutter Combo) that was originally designed by a gal in Australia. Using a 45mm blade, it is actually attached to the ruler, and so there is no 'slipping' with the blade, keeping those fingers safe.

Because we are talking about a child, I would also recommend/see if it's possible (in addition to a good tool) to get a pair of Klutz gloves custom fit to her hand ...

What about getting her a GO or GO Baby?

My niece also loves quilting (large 7" squares, but they are adorable). Thank you for sharing this tool - I think that you just solved my Christmas dilema!

I was also thinking a go or baby go cutter! I would not think a rotary cutter at her age would be a good thing to do!

I also think a Go! or Go Baby! would be a good idea. I think 8yo is too young for any kind of rotary cutter work.

What about making or buying plastic templates for whatever shapes she needs to cut and just using a pencil or some kind of marker or even a pen to draw around the template and then she can cut it out using scissors and have it come out well. Doing this even for strips or bigger cuts. The drawn lines will be at the edge of the seam allowance so won't show. You can use template plastic or have some cut at the hardware store from acrylic.....or even use heavier cardboard like the back of tablets. A good, sharp pair of scissors her size would be important too. The Go etc. cutters sound nice but are expensive. Wonderful that she's getting started so young and loves it!!! Go Grandma!!!

I agree! There is plenty of time for her to grow into using a rotary cutter. Let her concentrate on sewing a straight 1/4" seam.

If she is just making little gifts why not just gift her with jelly rolls or 5 inch squares or layer cakes then she only cuts a little piece instead of trying to cut a bunch of fabric and as someone suggested she could mark on them before cutting.

Thank You
 

Thank you all for your advice. It really did help. Don't know why I didn't think about precuts (duh :shock:) Think we'll go with some charm squares, fat quarters, a small square template, a ruler and a pencil for a few more years. She was given scissors for her birthday. Thanks again and happy holidays to you all.

everything is dependent on the child. At this point it will probably be high school for mine, not cautious at all

I would not recommend a rotary cutter at 8 years old. The Go products might be a little difficult for her to turn. Try her out on one before purchasing. In the meantime, precuts and grandma's help cutting out the pieces is probably the best advice. This is going to bring her wonderful memories!

I believe it's an Olfa rotary cutter that has a button on the side to lock the blade and will only cut when the handles are squeezed together. They also make a ruler that has a guide for the cutter to glide along. That said my LQS warned me against letting my DGD use a rotary cutter when she was 10.

I would get her the June Tailor rulers with the cutting slots so she can get straight cuts. Hope she keeps it up, isn't it wonderful she is so interested in sewing! She may grow up to be a top designer!

this works great, I have one and use it all the time, talking about the ruler cutter combo

I would agree. Cutting fabric for her would give her a real head start on a project. There are lots of things children are just too young to do, and I think a rotary cutting may be one of them. But there are many solutions to this problem, including using scissors for a while, that it might be not be an issue.

Please do not let Her use a Rotary Cutter. I cut my finger bad. I am now a member of the Flat Finger Group, lol......cut it for Her, She can learn to cut fabric later on, let Her practice cutting on scraps until she gets the hang of it. I bet it won't be long before She can cut it just fine. I know you would hate to go find part of Her finger on the cutting board like I did mine. Way too dangerous.

I can't cut a straight line either and I'm well past 8 lol. I recommend The shape cut 12x12. I use the fiskars Easy Change Ergo Control Rotary Cutter (45mm). The guard covers the blade automatically when you stop cutting. Both are available at Joann's on sale or coupon. At 8 her motor skills should be good enough to manage those two.

I do not have a klutz glove (I probably should). Would it be possible to buy one and deconstruct it, cut it down to a small size and remake it? I see in this an opportunity for you to really interact with your granddaughter. Let her choose her pattern and her fabrics and you cut them for her as a pre-cut kit. I learned to sew when I was six or seven and have never stopped. I can't ever remember that cutting the project out was particularly fun. I'm sure she would enjoy the fellowship and spark in her creativity.

My granddaughter started using a rotary cutter at age 10 but she only uses it with the Quilter's Slide Loc safety tool and with an adult present until she was 12. She knows if you use a rotary cutter you have to have a safety cutting tool or not use it. She never sees me using the cutter without the Slide Loc or a cutting glove. If you DGD has good motor skills I think she could use the cutter with strict rules.

Well I have never cut myself, but I don't think I would want my DGD to be using a rotary cutter at 8. Just too easy for something to happen in a second, no matter how close she is being watched. The thing is if she would get cut that might cause her to not want to sew anymore as well. So we certainly don't want that to happen.

Fiskars has a ruler where the rotary cutter is attached, it is a little pricey but we all know JoAnns has their coupons it would be a great Christmas present. Attaching pictures.[ATTACH=CONFIG]452014[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]452015[/ATTACH]

I agree. I would cut the pieces for her. You might also consider getting her something like a GoBaby and let her use pre-cuts in that.

I would be leary of putting a rotary cutter in an eight year olds hands but have you thought about a Go Baby? You can cut shapes for applique and squares, triangles, diamonds, etc. etc. for piecing.

My DGDs have been sewing and making quilts since they were 7 and 8. They will be 10 and 11 in Jan and Feb. I still do not let them use a rotary cutter and they are very responsible. I've seen too many adults need stitches after an accident. I have let them use the Accu go. At first I loaded it and they turned the handle. Now I watch them load it. I use Bonnie Hunters scrap saver system. When they come anything in the drawers is theirs to use. I cut another shapes they may need. I try to keep all kinds of shapes cut when they come visit and send a lot home with them. They do cut out doll clothes patterns with scissors and I have drawn lines for them to cut. My DD teaches Home Ec (it's called something different now) so she is able to help them, but Grandma has more "stuff".