Dolly's sister

It looks like when you get a paper pieced block completed you just use your rotary cutter to trim up the paper and fabric. Is this ok for your rotary cutter or does it dull the blade faster? Do some people use other blades when trimming paper piecing?

ckcowl

when i trim around the outside of my paper pieced blocks i do use a rotory cutter- but i have 2 - one with an old blade- which i use for paper- fusables ect- one with a nice sharp blade for cutting fabrics- when the fabric blade becomes dull starts skipping i put it in an old case marked old-
then when the old blade cutter is really not working well on paper ect i can change it out to one in the 'old blade case'

ghostrider

Because I do so much work with paper-backed fusible web and mixed-media collage (using fabric and paper together), I have a separate cutter for use with any paper/fabric combination. I change the blade on that one much more often than the fabric one. I do not use my fabric cutter for paper, no.

snipforfun

Paper does not cause blades or scissors to become dull. Paper can leave a residue that can be wiped off periodically. The reason we have always kept "weapons" out of reach of family members is that they use scissors for cutting plastic, rocks, wood, etc. All the things that can ruin blades. I do lots of paper piecing and have never had to use a separate blade. I have Gingher scissors for years that Ive not had to sharpen and I use them for everything. Getting nicks on blades is another matter.

tsnana2000

I've used my rotary cutter to cut gift wrap. It comes in handy at Christmas. lol

hobbykat1955

Use the same one...don't seem to have a big problem with dulling

SewExtremeSeams

I do a lot of paper piecing.

I use regular computer paper and Harbor Freight blades in my Olfa rotary cutter. I do not notice blades becoming dull any faster. The need to change blades is pretty infrequent. The blades end up costing about $1 apiece.

On the right side of where I am sewing I use a portable black TV type tray where my small Omnigrid cutting mat and ironing pad are.

sushi

This is so good to know! Thanks, everyone!

erstan947

I would suggest using an older blade. I have been known to use whatever blade is in my cutter when I want to cut whatever. I buy the harbor freight blades so no big loss.

meemersmom

I use whichever one happens to be handy when trimming up paper pieced blocks, and have never noticed any more dulling because of it.