Cutting direction
09-26-2012, 05:31 AM
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,216
Yes, definitely cut AWAY from yourself with the rotary cutter (or any other sharp blade, really). I do as Tartan does with extra yardage on the table to elminate distortion. That said, I also go to the 'far' side of my cutting table to cut the first 'straightening' cut then I don't have to flip fabric to be able to measure from the cut edge for my subsequent cuts.
09-26-2012, 07:16 AM
#13
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Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
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09-26-2012, 09:24 AM
#14
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,529
I'm safe to wait until Christmas. She is a gardening nut, absolutely lives in the garden until late November, then Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations and decorating keep her busy. She doesn't break out her quilting and hand embroidery projects until after Christmas.
09-26-2012, 10:33 AM
#15
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: North Texas formerly The Burgh
Posts: 3,392
Can't agree more about the "closing" after every cut -- if you start out reminding yourself every time, it will get to be an unconscious habit.... and PLEASE - wear REAL shoes while cutting.....if for some unknown reason the cutter slips from your grasp - or you forgot to close it and knock it off the table - you won't be in the ER because the blade fell on your unprotected foot !!
09-26-2012, 01:06 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 319
The Gypsy Gripper is a good tool to help beginners gain confidence while rotary cutting. My LQS uses them in their beginner classes. It's easy to move the ruler, hold it down in position, and cut. I use one if I know I'm going to be doing some tricky or horizontal cuts.
09-26-2012, 04:17 PM
#17
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,581
I'm safe to wait until Christmas. She is a gardening nut, absolutely lives in the garden until late November, then Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations and decorating keep her busy. She doesn't break out her quilting and hand embroidery projects until after Christmas.
09-27-2012, 03:51 AM
#19
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
A friend of mine cuts with her right or left hand. She teaches quilting, and can't be running to the far side of the table to do cutting in front of students.
I have tried cutting with my left hand, using only fabric that is not so important. If I make a mistake on that, I won't care. Trouble is, I don't have enough opportunities to do the practicing, and I am still afraid to try it on my good stuff. Also sometimes I'm just lazy. It's so much easier to just do it with my right hand.
I have tried cutting with my left hand, using only fabric that is not so important. If I make a mistake on that, I won't care. Trouble is, I don't have enough opportunities to do the practicing, and I am still afraid to try it on my good stuff. Also sometimes I'm just lazy. It's so much easier to just do it with my right hand.
09-27-2012, 05:33 AM
#20
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: La Pine Oregon, USA
Posts: 5,907
I haven't read everyone's answers -- but here's my view: It's according to table space and size of the project. I just trimmed a 108" wide backing and had to cut from right to left (horizontal?). Usually I cut vertical -- from my belly to the top of the table.
If you go to www.youtube.com and type in "how to use a rotary cutter", you'll find a ton of videos on how to cut.
Have fun!
If you go to www.youtube.com and type in "how to use a rotary cutter", you'll find a ton of videos on how to cut.
Have fun!
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