I hope I'm not posting this twice. Anyway, when I use my rotary cutter I have a problem with my ruler slipping. I do apply alot of pressure because I'm cutting several layers at a time. Is that what I'm doing wrong, cutting too many layers at a time? I would LOVE to have good straight strips, squares, etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I can't cut more then three layers without mine slipping. I usually just cut two.

I usually don't cut more than two layers, but more often I just cut one layer at a time. I feel I have more control.

I have a suction cup handle that I affix to my ruler when I cut and that seems to help the ruler not move so much. Another thing I use to make my rulers not slip so much is a pair of 8 pound (each) hand barbells, placed on the ruler when I cut. That much extra weight on the ruler makes it much more stable and less likely to move. It is more time consuming though to move the barbells each time I move the ruler and fabric.

I used to have that problem. I first purchased these little adhesive dots that reminded me of sand paper...but I hated those. Then, I found, at a local quilt shop, a plastic that you put on the underside of your rulers and they do not slip as easily. It's made especially for putting on your rulers so they won't slip. I'm sorry but I do not remember the name of the product. It came in a roll and you just cut the pieces you need for your rulers. Cut them about 1/4" shy from each edge for the most perfect fit! It's clear so it does not affect the ability to see through the rulers! Hope this helps!

Vanessa in Oklahoma

I work along a wall and push my ruler up against it making sure it is totally perpendicular to the wall. Then I line up my fabric underneather the ruler by moving the mat. I don't have any trouble with the ruler moving when I make my cuts as long I keep it pushed against the wall. Good luck with your striping and . . . !

Don't try to cut along the whole length of the ruler with one cut. Use your little finger on the left side of the ruler (assuming that you are right handed) and cut part way then move your hand forward and cut the rest of the way. Don't lift the cutter.

When I was learning to rotary cut I did the same thing. A quilter told me to have my other hand crawl up along with the rotary cutter. I had to go a little slower but it worked. With practice I didn't need to do it this way any longer.

I put grippers (TrueGrips) on the corners of my rulers and I have also used sandpaper. I also use a woodworkers clamp to hold my ruler but that is due to a bad left shoulder which hurts too much to apply pressure to the ruler. I had forgotten about placing the end of the ruler against the wall, but I used to do that and it helped also. I know someone on here can tell you the name of the product that is applied to the back of the ruler because I've seen it mentioned several times. I'm sure it's available from JoAnn's.

Oh man, what great replies. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try all of them and hopefully I'll be able to see a difference. Thanks again.

It's called invisigrip.

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...lay.asp?i=1883

The film you put on the back of the rules is "In-Vis-A-Grip". I hope this helps you. I prefer the sandpaper dots.

I have used emery boards. This helps a lot. You can tape them to the underside of your ruler, just be sure not to cover up the measurement you want.

My personal favorite, I've tried other things and still like this the best.

I never cut more than 2 layers...saw a teacher slice fingers doing 5 layers many years ago....goose bumps just thinking about!!!

I'm still working on it.LOL

Man! That would not only HURT, but it would ruin 5 layers of fabric, too!!! :roll: :roll: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:

In desperation and frustration one day, I coated the bottom of a ruler with rubber cement and let dry----it worked SOOOO well to prevent slipping!!!!!! I can cut 4 layers at a time this way....BUT----the real secret is a very sharp blade!

These are great ideas and the little finger works. However, I am short and suffer from the short arm syndrome ( I am reach challenged), they won't reach across the table for those long cuts. So I also have problems with my cutter slanting, but I am working on that issue.

I use the little clear rubbery stick on dots on my ruler as they grip better than the sand paper ones. I also find the Olipfa ruler helps as it has an actual lip or edge that grabs onto your cutting board and really helps with cutting accurately as your ruler doesn't slip. You also need to be using a table that is the right height for you. My kitchen table is great for me (I'm short) but my counter is too high and I can't "get over" my cutting in the same way. A sharp blade is imperative both to cut the fabric cleanly and accurately and to avoid slips cutting you. It's also important to hold the cutter correctly and have it pependicular against the ruler and not on an angle. I often cut six layers at a time using these methods and am always the "cuuter" at guild stitching days.

I'll have to try some of these ideas!

That's how I do it and it works beautifully. I can cut up to four layers that way, but no more than that. Edie

I only cut 2 layers at a time. All rulers have the sandpaper dots placed on all 4 corners and about every 2 inches around the edges....the only drawback is that you have to pick up the ruler to make a second cut but it will NOT slip on you!!

jodi in leavenworth

Many like to fold the fabric twice: matching selvedges the first time, and then bringing the fold up to the selvedge again. This does not work for me, so I prefer using a single fold, which I keep closest to me. Using the rulers with a lip, (Olipfa makes one and Olfa does now, too), I keep the lip on the edge of the mat closest to the fold and use the first line on the ruler to line up on that fold. This keeps away the dreaded "V" cuts.

I also cut dots from fine sandpaper using an ordinary hole punch from the office supply (they are very inexpensive) and glue them on the back of all my rulers right behind the numbers, and I put them along both long edges. They are on all four sides of my square rulers. Gluing them with rubber cement is best, but if I am out, I will use a glue
stick.

I think the most layers I cut was 8 with no slippage (when an absolute perfect edge wasn't necessary), and I regularly cut 4-6 at a time to make 1" strips!

When I'm cutting this many layers I only use one specific ruler - a "Quilters Rule". All of the horizontal and vertical rule lines are raised on the bottom of the ruler and these raised lines grip the fabric in both directions. The upside is no slippage. The downside is if your cutting lots of 1" strips you have to pick the ruler up nd place it back down - you can't slide it across the fabric to the next cut line. The other downside is that I've only had the ruler 4 years and it needs to be replaced - the edge of it has lots of nick marks from the blade. Cheap plastic.

Don't cut more than the length of your flattened palm on the ruler. Gently pick up your palm (NOT your cutter), replace palm further up, continue cutting.

A sharp blade is absolutely necessary.

Also, the more layers you cut the easier it becomes to allow your rotary cutter to "slant" in or out, so you have to be more careful to keep your rotary cutter perpendicular to the cutting surface.

I use the ruler with the lip. (Just bought a 4 x 36" Olipfa from Overstock.com for around $13.00) Never slips. I still use my shorter 3 x 18 with lip for short cuts, but the ruler markings have, alas, worn off after years of use.

I also have a problem with my ruler slipping. I have found that if I cut my fabric in smaller sections then cut out my square or strip the ruler does not slip on me as all the fabric is under the ruler. Jeanniebelle

I haven't tried it yet, but a friend of mine says the clear vinyl you buy by the yard off the roll at Walmart works just as good as the invisigrip and is a lot cheaper. The thinner the better.

This works for me. I went to Harbor Freight and bought a glass pane suction cup handle. Less than $6 . The kind you use to move window glass panes with. I put those on my larger rulers. It gives me more leverage and the ruler doesn't slip. Also using non slip rulers helps. I can cut several layers this way. Also a very sharp blade helps. But there is a limit on how many layers you can cut accurately.

When my ruler slips it is usually because I angled the blade INTO the ruler instead of ALONG SIDE the ruler :(

Hold your pinky on the fabric but still touching the outside edge of the ruler. It will help to stabilize it and keep it from slipping.

I use invisa grip.

do the same thing. I cut 4 layers at time with almost no problems. I also put a lot of pressure on the ruller. You must pay attention to your cutting and not try to go to fast. Also try to stand in front of your ruler so you are moving your arm in straight line and not at angle.

You might be cutting too many layers, using a ruler thats too big. Also you can put those little circle grips on your rulers, they are little dots of sand paper or a clear rubber that grip the fabric better making it slip less. I love them

I have a ruler with a lip that kinda locks it to the cutting mat since then I do better

Hugo's Amazing Tape

Cynthia

Be sure you are holding your cutter straight. If it leans a bit, it will push the ruler over. I became so aggravated one day at the slipping ruler, I rubbed some craft stick glue along one edge of the ruler. Let it dry well. It seldom slips now.

I put my pinky finger on the fabric on the other side of the ruler and walk my hand up the ruler as I cut. Putting a finger off the ruler really helped me.

I have trouble holding the ruler still while cutting - especially if it is 3 or 4 layers thick or more. I got some of the plastic clamps at Home Depot or Lowe's like you use to clamp things when working on wood or whatever. I
line up my ruler on my fabric; clamp 1 end of the ruler to the cutting table edge; hold like I normally would; and it holds it quite nicely. You have to have things close enough to the edge of the table so the clamp can reach it, but it is a big help. I also use the clamps when I am layering a quilt top to hold things still until I get it pinned. The clamps are not expensive. Seems like I paid about a $1 or $1.50 each.

Put some plastic grippy things on the bottom side of your rule - sand paper dots work as well.