MoanaWahine

My 9 year old son has shown interest in learning how to sew. I have an old machine for him to learn on and he knows this. He has picked out some precut fabric that he wants to work with. The question that I have is how young would you allow them to use the rotary cutter and rulers? In case he needs to cut some strips for the quilt top. It just makes me nervous to have either of my kids around that or would a plain scissors work the best?

crafty pat

I would not let a 9 year old use one. I would cut it for him.

Stitchnripper

I would cut for him too.

MoanaWahine

That is what I was thinking. I have been noticing a few other kids around this age making things and just wanted to ask. Thanks for the into.

KarenR

I almost had a heart attack when I cought my kids using the rotary cutter.
Invest in one of the ones that have a blade -mat- and ruler all in one if you want him to use the rotary cutter.

Maride

I cut everything for Emi and I am watching him when he is sewing at the machine. I have been sewing for years and sewed my finger a few months ago. He would stop sewing if that happened to him. He picks colors and fabrics, sews under supervision and sews the back of the binding. I do his quilting because I know is hard and I don't want him frustrated so early.

Holice

scissors have worked for generations and young kids already know how to use them. Keep the rotary cutter locked up.

New Quilter

I would either cut them for him or get an AccuQuilt for him to use...rotary cutters scare me even at 61 yrs young...lol...
Naomi :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

ckcowl

18!!!and not a moment before!!!
my granddaughter's and all the kids in our family started sewing at 4 & 5 years old- not a single one of them was ever allowed anywhere near a rotory cutter before they turned 18---they used scissors just like they use in 4-h or home ec classes!
rotory cutters are razor blades and can easily cut fingers OFF! one of my son's old girl friends (at 22 years old) was in the studio one day working on a project- listening to music- dancing around---ran the rotory cutter off the ruler---to the tune of 57 stitches!!!
when the kids were little they used scissors- and any pressing that needed to be done was done by an adult.
they were taught to use wooden irons- and to finger press- when fabric needed more than that they took it to an adult-
i believe SAFETY should ALWAYS COME FIRST!!! it is no fun when it hurts!
and NO CHILD SHOULD BE ANYWHERE NEAR A ROTORY CUTTER- ANY MORE THAN YOU WOULD LET THEM PLAY WITH A BOX CUTTER- OR ANY OTHER RAZOR BLADE!!!
all the boys in our family are great quilters = very creative- they start right out challenging you - it is great to encourage them- but teach them to use scissors.

bearisgray

My granddaughters were using my rotary cutters when they were like seven and nine.

(Not necessarily with permission - the first time)

Get a cutter that automatically closes when it's put down.

I hear about very young children working in sweat shops in foreign countries -

Teach him how to use the tools properly -