murphzmom

My 87 year old mom came for a visit today and asked that I help cut out 300 7-1/4" pinked circles that they are using for toppers for a church bazaar project. I thought I could use a pinking blade in my rotary cutter but the template she gave me is cardboard so it's not working. Is there a way that I can cut strips of the fabric then fold them and round the corners so that the squares would finish out at 7-1/2" and then we could just hand pink the edges with scissors? She is leaving Monday so any and all hints/tips are appreciated!!!

Mindy

Kassaundra

This is how I think I'd do it, maybe??? Cut squares just over 7.5 inches press into folded squares. Cut maybe 10ish freezer paper 1/4 circle shapes at 7.25 inches. One of you place and press the paper 1/4 circle matching folded point to center point of "circle" then the other cut w/ pinking shears just at the edge of the paper (through all 4 layers) , pull the freezer paper off and give back to the presser to reuse. (rinse and repeat so to speak)

murphzmom

I found a ruler as I was on You Tube called Omni Arc, I was wondering if anyone has used it. It looks like I would get 8" finished squares which would be good. My thought is after I used that ruler and before I unfolded the square of fabric I would use my rotary cutter with the pinking blade and cut the edges then and once the material was unfolded I would have the circle already pinked. Using actual pinking shears it rough on mom's hands and mine as well, she has arthritis and I have carpal tunnel. If I go with the Omni Arc ruler I can have it from Amazon on Monday and then I would just have to mail her the finished items which wouldn't be a problem. I just wish I new what size strips the fabric had to be cut to so I could have some of the prep work done ahead of time.

thimblebug6000

I have not used the pinking blade or the Omni Arc, but have used the wavy blade and you really need to be careful not to nic your ruler. I'll see if I can find anything else out there that might help you.

Did you notice that it says the lines are in 1" increments, so you would need to figure that into your circle as well?

I would be tempted to find a plate around the house that measures 7 ¼ "diameter and use it for the template to cute around. Just measured one here but it is 7½ " .... any flower pot etc. would work.

gingerd

Why not squares? I'd try to persuade her into squares. You could pink those too and they do look just as nice!

murphzmom

Found a ruler that I can get at Joanns called Easy Circle cut. Looks like this might be a good option for tonight. I can see if it will work with some fabric from my stash. I think that we will still have to finish pinking by hand though.

Damkina

I've not done this myself, just thinking aloud, so to speak.
Could you cut your fabric into 7 1/2 squares as kassaundra has said and fold them I to quarters. Instead of the omni ruler, which thuimblebug6000 said can be damaged, do it the old way and use a ceramic bowl or plate.
Placed against the quarter folds the wavy or pinking blade could be run straight around the curved edge of the plate not damaging it, keeping your fingers safe and not having to do the job twice; once by rotary and then scissors.
It may or may not work, but I can't think of another way besides what has already been said. Best of luck.

Kassaundra

I have the arc ruler and it is difficult to use w/ a regular size rotary cutter (I find it near impossible) I haven't got a small rotary cutter yet to try w/ it, but I just use it to mark the circle w/ the pen innards (the whole pen is hard to fit in the space too.

bearisgray

Just wondering - what are they "toppers" for?

yel

use a plate instead of the cardboard pattern you have