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From: m616
Date: 04-27-2005, 11:03 PM (1 of 16)
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Hi! I'm thinking of getting a rotary cutter and mat,(as suggested by someone on this forum!!), and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on the different brands. I'm making tote bags out of quilted fabric. Would a rotary cutter go through two layers of such bulky fabric? Or would I have to do it one layer at a time? I see on the Joann flyer that the Fiskars set is going to be half off next week, would this be a good one? I'm so grateful for the great advice I'm getting at this forum! |
User: m616
Member since: 04-24-2005 Total posts: 11 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 04-27-2005, 11:14 PM (2 of 16)
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I would pick up the rotary cutter you are interested in and see how it feels to you. Is it comfortable in your hand? Does it have the safety devices you would like? I probably have most of the rotary cutters they make. I found (this is just my thoughts), that if I am cutting heavy material I like one kind. If I am cutting out patterns for quilting or cotton summer wear I use the smallest one I have. One thing is a given you will need to keep sharp rotary blades. Once they get dull they really are more work than not. I have never tried the sharpening tool for these blades. I have heard good reviews and bad reviews. A rotary cutter and mat would be a great help for cutting out your tote bags. The mats come in all sizes. I also have a collection of those. I have the self healing mats, which are very nice. One thing about the mats you have to store them so they stay FLAT and no moisture can get to them. I had a daughter use one of mine for pressing her material with steam and it was ruined. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-27-2005, 11:30 PM (3 of 16)
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I agree. As long as you don't get one of the smaller blades, I don't think you'll have that much trouble. The self-healing mats are great. I've used mine for 13 years now and it is still going strong. I've litterly made hundreds of outfits on it. Every so often I notice that I have residue of threads or fabric impacted in the mat, I just roll it slightly to get the threads out and that's basically all I need to do. It is great! I like the newer cutters that have a curved gripper type handle...they are very comfortable but there is nothing wrong with the old ones. Just be sure and retract or cover the blade (depending on the brand) each time you lay it down and walk away. it is a razor so you don't want a child to pick it up or drop it on your own foot with the blade exposed.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sparky
Date: 04-28-2005, 12:19 PM (4 of 16)
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Let me be make sure I have this right. You folks use rotary cutters for making clothing? I thought they were only good for quilters and other kinds of straight lines. I have one that I use occasionally when I'm cutting lots of straight things. It has about a 2" blade, I think. It seems the blade always has a dull spot on it. Even though I've changed the blade, it seems to never want to cut in one place. I'll make a cut, but unless I REALLY press hard there's a little un-cut spot every 6" or so. I don't think I'm coordinated enough, or something. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-28-2005, 12:51 PM (5 of 16)
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I cut everything out with a sharp rotary cutter. That way I'm not lifting the fabric, giving it a chance to shift. It makes a world of difference for me. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 04-28-2005, 12:54 PM (6 of 16)
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Sparky, when your cutter skips are you using a mat? If so how is the surface of the mat? I was cussing out my cutter when it was actually my mat that had little cuts in it. Once I got a new mat the skipping stopped. DS had used a craft knife on the mat and didn't tell me. Luckily Jo Ann's had a sale that week.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Sparky
Date: 04-29-2005, 10:10 AM (7 of 16)
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Sparky, when your cutter skips are you using a mat? If so how is the surface of the mat? I was cussing out my cutter when it was actually my mat that had little cuts in it. Once I got a new mat the skipping stopped. DS had used a craft knife on the mat and didn't tell me. Luckily Jo Ann's had a sale that week. Huh. You're probably right. I am using a mat, but it does have some scratches in it. I'll keep an eye out for a sale on the self-healing kind you folks like. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: Vanessa's sewin
Date: 04-29-2005, 04:52 PM (8 of 16)
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I cut everything out with a sharp rotary cutter. That way I'm not lifting the fabric, giving it a chance to shift. It makes a world of difference for me. Dorothy Can you give us some tips on that? I know this is definitely one of the problems I have with garment accuracy. You just start running it around the pattern without a ruler or anything?? |
User: Vanessa's sewin
Member since: 02-22-2005 Total posts: 30 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-30-2005, 07:18 AM (9 of 16)
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Here's what I do -- generally. I have a big table with an ironing cover on it so I lay the fabric on it and press, then slide a large rotary cutting board under it. I don't have a big one that covers the table. I have one that gets most of it and a smaller one that takes care of the rest. I do have to slide them around some. I make sure I have enough fabric for the pattern and figure how it will fit then lay out just the pieces that fit on the table at one time so I don't have patterns pinned to the fabric hanging over the edge. I pin a lot. Probably more than I have to. Partly it's just habit. You could just use weights I'm sure. But I pin and sometimes use weights too. Now I just take a very sharp (don't screw around with dull blades or trying to sharpen them. I know they are expensive but just cough up the dough) medium size rotary cutter and cut around the pattern. Be sure you hold it straight up. Go slow and carefully. You don't need a ruler. I have a tiny rotary cutter for tight places, notches (cut outward) and my doll clothes. I did learn that it's not such a good idea to try to trim seams that way. As part of the same lesson I also learned a good way to patch a slice in an unfinished garment so it still turns out OK. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-30-2005, 09:39 AM (10 of 16)
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There is absolutely no doubt that Dorothy is the rotary cutter queen. She has more courage than I could ever muster. I shake too badly, esp when I am nervous. I am a strong encourager of rotary cutting when the lines are straight and you can use a ruler or t-square to keep the cutter steady...I use the cutters soooo much! When it comes to cutting rounded shapes, there is nothing that beats a good straight pair of scissors that fit your hand properly. If you cut with scissors, you HAVE to cut with a pair that is offset so that it lays on the table as you cut or you will have two different sizes to what you are cutting out. There are different blade lengths to scissors and sometimes I use a 6, sometimes an 8, sometimes a 10. It depends on what I am cutting. The other thing, as Dorothy mentioned is that you need to pin you garment, although many people use weights. But you need to be sure that your layers are flat and even and that you pin from the inside of the pattern outward so that you don't bunch the fabric when you pin. We are very fortunate to live in the times in which we do. There are such wonderful inventions for seamstresses! There is nothing wrong with using as many of them as are convient and using them together! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 04-30-2005, 12:15 PM (11 of 16)
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I have found running a iron across the pattern pieces before I pin them on helps. I set the iron on a cool setting.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-30-2005, 12:26 PM (12 of 16)
What an excellent tip, thanks Hogmami. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 05-01-2005, 01:23 PM (13 of 16)
| Just a note on rotary cutter, make sure to keep your fingers out of the way, I slipped with mine and cut the side of my finger off and had to have it sewed back on, not nice! |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 05-01-2005, 03:14 PM (14 of 16)
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I have also cut my fingers. Not as bad as you. But enough to hurt and bleed. I now keep my fingers out of the way and close the blade when I am done.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 05-01-2005, 05:12 PM (15 of 16)
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I sliced a V-shped wedge out of one of my fingernails once using my rotary cutter. That wasn't fun either. Took a long time to grow it out too.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: m616
Date: 05-07-2005, 11:17 PM (16 of 16)
| Just wanted to let you all know that I got my new rotary cutter/ mat/ ruler combo today and I lLOVE it!! It worked like a charm cutting out fabric for tote bags... and I still have all of my fingers intact! Thanks again! |
User: m616
Member since: 04-24-2005 Total posts: 11 |
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