Ida

I am a new quilter. I am still having problems with the ruler moving and then my cut is way off. I tried the "clear fabric grabbers" which are just supposed to stick on the back of the ruler. Still moved.

Can someone please tell me how to cut my fabric without the ruler moving? I am finishing a quilt I started when I took a class in 2003. I threw up my hands then, and don't want to give in to that again. HELP! I may be in the wrong area.

BellaBoo

Hello Ida,
I use this on all my rulers and it works great.

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...lay.asp?i=1883

Please go to the MAIN part of the board. That's where all questions are answered where all the knowledge is!

Ida

Thanks. I just copied over to the Main forum. Thank you.

QKO

I had a lot of trouble with that when I started cutting, as well. The basic problem, at least for me, was technique. I had to practice a lot with keeping the cutter blade totally vertical, and lined up perfectly with the ruler. The problem I (and I suspect most people) had with moving the ruler was canting the cutter in against the ruler, like this /| while the blade should be straight with the ruler, like this || as well as being perfectly vertical. When I switched to a Martelli Ergo cutter it helped a lot too, as it eliminated the "flop" in the cutter.

Of course, I had an advantage in that my wife is a "certified rotary cutting instructor" and she taught me how to do it correctly.
:mrgreen:

It takes some practice. Get some old cheap Wally fabric and practice a lot, cutting strips. The non-slip stuff you got works well too!

Ida

Bela Boo, I just ordered one. Maybe my frustration will abate by the time it gets here! Thanks for the link.

nativetexan

well how high or low is your cutting table to your height? that can make a difference. you have to have some leverage and be able to place some weight on your ruler hand. and if possible try to keep your pinky finger on the cutting table. although i rarely do this but some designers swear by it.

sharon b

I have heard of the little round sand paper on the back of a ruler ?

Ida

I am using a table that is dinner height. I stand up, and seem to be able to get leverage. I think it is probably my technique according to an answer I got when I posted to Links and Resources section.

Lacelady

You could try sticking a few, narrow strips of fine sandpaper to the back of your ruler. I did this right at the very beginning, but was soon able to take them off after I had got the hang of the cutting.

Ida

Yes, I will try that while waiting for my order from Quilt in a Day. Thanks.