How to use a rotary cutter to cut strips for quilting

[TekkamanChronos]

can you use a Rotary Cutter to cut out patternsI've always had a hard time cutting them out with sheers, so when I saw this I thought it might be easier, so would you recommend it for such use?

[telljo2]

That was an excellent tutorial for me... seeing as I'm just a beginner with a rotary cutter.. I have the special mat and cutter.. but no ruler ... yet! But its on the shopping list... Have you used a wave blade in your cutter? Are they any good? I'm thinking about using it for my fleece baby blankets...

[mdhaworth]

@telljo2 I have a wavy blade/cutter and it works fine. I just don't find many uses for it in projects I do. If you're just learning, start with a flat blade then work with the wavy one.

[peeltoseal]

Thank you so much for this video, this was very helpful.  I always wondered how sewers cut their fabric in a straight line. I'm now planning on buy a cutting mat, special ruler, and rotary cutter.

[floresbetzy]

Can I know what kind of ruler is that? Thanks!

[mdhaworth]

@floresbetzy The ruler is a special quilting ruler--it's made of clear plastic with marks to line up the fabric.

[floresbetzy]

@mdhaworth Thanks! I wanted to know the brand you used because there are so many online and is hard to deside. In your video at least I like the clear numbe on the colors.

[mdhaworth]

@floresbetzy I'm actually not sure! It's not the olfa (yellow/black) one. i find those a bit too busy with so many lines. The lines on mine are orange and fewer in number but I've had it for a decade or more and don't know the brand and haven't been in the market to know where to find one like this. Sorry.

[jamajezzie]

do you own an iron?

[newbeequilter]

I notice your fabric has lots of wrinkles in it, so I'm curious to find out how you can get your pieces to come out an accurate size. Isn't that like moving the angle of your ruler and then coming up V's in a strip? Do you press the fabric strips before cutting them in smaller pieces? I would think that would involve and extra step in unnecessary measuring or cutting again. Just curious, because some very reputable quilters emphasize the importance of keeping your fabric flat b4 cutting.

[mdhaworth]

@newbeequilter I probably should press the fabric better but unless it's really wrinkled I don't bother. I'm not the most rule oriented quilter. As for making v's the trick is the line up the ruler on the FOLDED side of the fabric. As long as you're perpendicular to the fold you'll get a straight strip.

[rotarycutter]

yes you get it.welcome to my website rotarycuttertools cOm get more info.

[sugababes8]

thanks

[ronnettaw]

thank you! this video helped me overcome my fear of rotary cutting!

[IEJP]

what section is that in at the hardware store i coudnt find it?

[mdhaworth]

sewkittoo--I also have the fiskar but mine broke really quickly--it doesn't keep the blade locked into the position to cut. The olfa blade guard is moved manually so it never breaks. Not sure if that makes sense. For actually cutting, as long as it's not broken, the fiskar is very comfortable to use.

[10forRP]

Great intro video. Thanks!!

[luchrod]

Thank you, this is a good lesson to begin with, as I'm just starting to buy my tools and didn't know how to start cutting