Coping as a left-hander

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07-06-2010, 04:51 PM

#41

Boston1954

Power Poster

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts

Posts: 10,477

I use my rotary cutter both ways. Actually never really thought about it. I have been able to adapt to the right handed stuff fairly easy. My Aunt Ethel called me ambidexterous.

07-06-2010, 04:53 PM

#42

Alondra

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Texas

Posts: 2,281

There are some good videos on YouTube by Missouri Quilt Company, and the woman who does them is left-handed, so she has to explain how to cut right-handed, too. This might be helpful to you, to actually see how she uses the rulers.

07-06-2010, 05:05 PM

#43

Joeysnana

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Indiana, PA

Posts: 983

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joanie2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leftie

I am fairly new to patchwork and quilting but very keen to learn. I have my cutting board and rotary cutter but am having difficulties getting to grips with it as a left hander - as usual, everything is produced for right handed people. Any hints please to help me use my new equipment? Many thanks.

I, too, am a lefty and have had to learn to adapt. I hold the rotary cutter in my left hand and the ruler with my right. When I want to make my first clean cut, my fabric lays on my cutting board with the bulk of the fabric towards the right and I square up my fabric. Then to begin cutting strips I have to turn the fabric the opposite direction (the bulk facing left) and use my ruler as a cutting guide not the mat. That may not be the correct way but it's easiest for me. I also need to be sure that at least 3 fingers and my palm are holding my ruler straight. It will take time to find the best way for you but you'll get the hang of it. Don't get frustrated. It's practice that will help you as you continue. The other issue I have is when I have layed out my blocks to get ready to cut. If I don't label them I have a tendency to sew the blocks on the opposite side. Hang in there.

I do the same thing. I'm a leftie too.

07-06-2010, 05:48 PM

#44

Texas Yankee

Member

Join Date: Jan 2010

Posts: 29

I am left handed, there are several cutters out there that can be used either hand. I also use my ruler to measure the strips - I keep the strip I'm cutting under my ruler too, so that it does not move when I am cutting it.

07-06-2010, 06:12 PM

#45

kirksmom

Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Posts: 43

I am also left handed but I adapt well and have learned to cut right handed. I guess I never thought about it before.

07-06-2010, 06:36 PM

#46

cherryberry

Junior Member

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: Texas

Posts: 183

I'm a lefty also. Seems there are a lot of us here. Like many of you, out of necessity, I have pretty much learned to use either hand for most everything except writing. When I was young, it was rare to get scissors, etc made for lefties so I HAD to learn to use what was available.

07-06-2010, 06:43 PM

#47

Lyncat

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Sun City West, AZ

Posts: 1,265

When I was around 12 years old and started sewing lots of clothes, my grandma proudly presented me with left-handed scissors. What a sweetie. I never told her that I cut right-handed!

07-06-2010, 07:09 PM

#48

johnette

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: Southeastern Oklahoma

Posts: 505

Wow, there's a lot of us lefties out here. I just switch the blade and cut with the bulk of the fabric to the right as someone else suggested. I have a hard time cutting accurately for some reason, so I bought the GO! cutter and it helps alot. I've used mine mostly for cutting strips. Left-handedness doesn't matter with the GO.

07-06-2010, 07:29 PM

#49

quilting4five

Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Brrrrrrrr, WI

Posts: 35

I'm a lefty too -- use the rotary cutter with my left hand (but use scissors with my right -- go figure -- all those years in elementary school either grabbing a pair of "righty" scissors" or one of the very few "weird" ones with the green handles meant for lefties, lol).

Anyway, I just do what feels natural in regard to placing/cutting my fabric, etc. It's been easier if I don't try to do it "leftie" or "rightie," but just "comfy."

:-)

07-06-2010, 09:48 PM

#50

kyheartstrings

Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: kentucky

Posts: 10

I'm a new quilter and left-handed sewer, but right-handed cutter. The rotary cutter doesn't like me, either. Fabric slips or ruler slips....makes me sooo mad. It's like successful cutters have a secret club that I'm not a member of! (It's a conspiracy, I tell you!) lol