kwiltkrazy

My friend knocked one off the table, and it hit her ankle, and she didn't realize it had cut her, she had to go to the emergency room because she lost so much blood, she almost passed out.

littlehud

I keep having nightmares about this. Thank goodness it wasn't any worse.

drdolly

Why is it when we are suppose to do something we don't until we hurt ourselves. Lucky it was a small knick. I have also done this very same stunt. I guess it is true,
Practice what we preach. Close the blade when done, Every time.

ggquilter

It is also possible to cut yourself when the guard is ON!
I had my cutter laying on the table with the blade side up and the guard on. I pushed some things out of my way and bushed my hand across the cutter and shaved a good thick piece of skin from my finger. I guess the lesson there is to keep your cutting table free of clutter.

walen

Yikes! All the stories of rotary cutting accidents are making me think about my own work with using a rotary cutter.

I try to remember to close the blade, but I sometimes I don't. Maybe your accident is a wake-up call for all of us. Thanks for the post.

I also have promised myself that if it is after 10:00 pm, I won't cut with a rotary cutter, just too tired! LOL...

Sorry you cut yourself.

Sandra-P

Sorry you cut yourself. I answered my door one time with a rotary in my hand because I didnt know who it was and they were pounding on it and it scared me. Turns out it was a sales person. They could be lethal..

Susan P

I have a friend that cut up her finger so bad she had to go to the emergency room for stitches.

The way I learned to keep it shut was from a favorite teacher at our LQS, The Quilting Bee. I have taken many classes from her and also private lessons. I left my cutter open on the table one day, and she found it. All in fun, she came over and playfully, lightly slapped my hand. She does it to others also! It is just a fun to do, as most of us know everyone in class and we always get a good laugh. Whenever I did it again, I would ask her to slap my hand.

The funny part, is I started doing it at home. I would slap my own hand. Now, it is so automatic, it has been ages (maybe a couple years) that I have left it open.

adrianlee

Glad you're cut was not a really bad bad one. When I got my first rotary cutter years ago, I think I had it about 3 weeks when I cut myself. I learned then to always close it when I lay it down, even if it's only for a few seconds. Now it is just automatic. Same as a dirty kitchen knife has it's own special place by the sink and out of the way of hands and not in the sink; learned that one the hard way too long time ago.

brendadawg

I love my Olfa ergonomic cutter. Have to squeeze the handle when you cut and then when you stop, the blade retracts automatically. Plus it's much easier on my old wrists by the end of the day.

MistyMarie

After reading this, I am thinking I need to store my cutters out of sight and reach when I am done. My kids are learning to quilt and they really want to help. I am worried they might get cut on mine, even if I am careful because I can see them being curious after watching me.