Quilt Tools, Tips & Opinions
#21
I love the Olfa original rotary cutter because I use my left hand and my right hand when cutting. The ones with the guards won't work for that. I trained my left hand to cut so I could always keep the majority of my ruler on the fabric. What I mean is once I have my fabric on the matt I want to move it as little as possible if that makes sense.
#22
I just bought a June Taylor "Shape Cutter" ruler and it's fantastic. It's a 12" x 12" 'mat' with slots every 1/2".
It's like using a rotary cutter with training wheels.
Cutting strips is amazing. If you have 44" fabric, you just fold it twice so it's 11" wide. Place the ruler on top and slice through it at every 2" or 2 1/2" or 4", what ever you want without moving the ruler! I've always had problems with my ruler shifting but this thing even gets me cutting straight. For a rotary cutter, I like my Fiskars comfort grip handle - Squeeze it together and go. I use whatever blades I can find on sale.
It's like using a rotary cutter with training wheels.
Cutting strips is amazing. If you have 44" fabric, you just fold it twice so it's 11" wide. Place the ruler on top and slice through it at every 2" or 2 1/2" or 4", what ever you want without moving the ruler! I've always had problems with my ruler shifting but this thing even gets me cutting straight. For a rotary cutter, I like my Fiskars comfort grip handle - Squeeze it together and go. I use whatever blades I can find on sale.
#23
I have the shape cut, love it, big numbers too.
Use grip dots or invisigrip on back of your rulers to prevent slipping. Also can try the gypsy quilter handles, asst sizes, helps hold with more pressure.
They have a new ruler/mat/rotery combo out, the ruler stays on mat, moving along the runner...the rotary follows a groove on the ruler to cut right. Anyone try this?
Use grip dots or invisigrip on back of your rulers to prevent slipping. Also can try the gypsy quilter handles, asst sizes, helps hold with more pressure.
They have a new ruler/mat/rotery combo out, the ruler stays on mat, moving along the runner...the rotary follows a groove on the ruler to cut right. Anyone try this?
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,243
I love my Dritz rotary cutter. Have Olfa in various sizes but keep gravitating back to the cheaper one. Perhaps it fits my hand better? I buy Olfa blades for it, though. I use my smaller (but not smallest) Olfa for cutting around curved templates, though.
#25
Rotary cutter--Martelli's cutter. (I think I spelled that right) Right and left handed cutters are offered. The handle is bent to fit in the palm of the hand. It takes a bit of a learning curve to get used to it, but I can cut all day and my hand and wrist doesn't get tired. Also can cut sitting with ease.
Mats--have all sizes of Olfa mats.
Mats--have all sizes of Olfa mats.
#26
It took me many, many years to start sewing....my folks bought me one too...I never used it...let my husbands brothers girlfriend borrow it...they broke up...that was many years ago...never saw that machine again...I just bought one this year and now love to sew! Never had time with kids.
Originally Posted by stevendebbie25
Did you buy at a fabric shop? I found my 2 ginghers off ebay with replacement blades for $20 each (set).
But the local fabric shop they are $80 and $70 at JoAnns.
I'm hoping to find more, I'm buying for 2 daughters now.
Bought all 4 girls a starter sewing machine, but 2 won't even learn how to turn them on. Maybe one day.
But the local fabric shop they are $80 and $70 at JoAnns.
I'm hoping to find more, I'm buying for 2 daughters now.
Bought all 4 girls a starter sewing machine, but 2 won't even learn how to turn them on. Maybe one day.
#27
I bought that last week....love it for cutting fringe on scarfs....worked like a charm.
Originally Posted by tjradj
I just bought a June Taylor "Shape Cutter" ruler and it's fantastic. It's a 12" x 12" 'mat' with slots every 1/2".
It's like using a rotary cutter with training wheels.
Cutting strips is amazing. If you have 44" fabric, you just fold it twice so it's 11" wide. Place the ruler on top and slice through it at every 2" or 2 1/2" or 4", what ever you want without moving the ruler! I've always had problems with my ruler shifting but this thing even gets me cutting straight. For a rotary cutter, I like my Fiskars comfort grip handle - Squeeze it together and go. I use whatever blades I can find on sale.
It's like using a rotary cutter with training wheels.
Cutting strips is amazing. If you have 44" fabric, you just fold it twice so it's 11" wide. Place the ruler on top and slice through it at every 2" or 2 1/2" or 4", what ever you want without moving the ruler! I've always had problems with my ruler shifting but this thing even gets me cutting straight. For a rotary cutter, I like my Fiskars comfort grip handle - Squeeze it together and go. I use whatever blades I can find on sale.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Posts: 498
I still use the Olfa rotary cutter that was the first one they came up with. And I think we all tend to use what we started with as it is what we're used to. My blades tend to stay sharp for a long time and I do a lot of cutting. However, when I do put a new blade in my cutter I always wonder why I waited so long to change it!!!
#29
Originally Posted by stevendebbie25
Carol, I do that also, but I was thinking of the diagnal lines?
Nice Batik Light houses. My daughter lives in OR, this is my first year I made it to Sisters OR outdoor Quilt show, that was something! I'd be worried about weather, they have it scheduled so far in advance, what if a storm rolled in, strong wind, rain... guess they've been blessed to continue on faith of good weather. Beautiful inspirations.
Nice Batik Light houses. My daughter lives in OR, this is my first year I made it to Sisters OR outdoor Quilt show, that was something! I'd be worried about weather, they have it scheduled so far in advance, what if a storm rolled in, strong wind, rain... guess they've been blessed to continue on faith of good weather. Beautiful inspirations.
#30
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 31
I use all the different Rotary cutters but the Go Cutter has been a lifesaver for me. I am coming up to shoulder replacements and have NO strength for rotary cutting. (I do change blades often so I always have a really sharp blade) I bought the Go cutter because I do all the cutting of donated fabric for our Project Linus chapter and I can cut stacks of strips, etc without feeling any pain. Mostly, I have been cutting boxes of 2 1/2 " strips for scrap quilts. Also find easy scrap patterns for them to make with the strips.
Cathy
Cathy
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