Fabric Rotary Cutter
Rotary cutters for fabric have revolutionized the quilting industry by making it easy to cut layers of fabric into strips and shapes for quilting.
Cutting fabric by hand with a pair of scissors was painful and slow causing pain in the fingers and hand, contributing to carpel tunnel syndrome.
The fabric rotary cutters are a time saver and are used by most of the quilters who practice the art and enjoy creating quilts from fabric.
The size ranges from small 18mm in diameter, to large at 60mm in diameter.
The small ones are great to use when cutting fabric requiring curves but the large ones can cut through layers of fabric at a time.
The rotary cutters consist of a few parts, the handle which consists of a molded handle and the head with a bolt for the blade to be attached and the nut that fits over the bolt, securing the blade in place.
This should be tightened just so the blade can still turn freely, otherwise it will be difficult to use.
The best fabric cutters are those which allow the blade to be retracted behind the head because this keeps the blade from accidentally cutting into something vital like a foot or hand if it is knocked from the cutting table.
The blades are made of a very sharp steel and very thin at the edge.
They should always be used with the cutting mat and a specialized ruler that helps guide the blade on a straight line instead of meandering across the fabric.
The first blades manufactured for the fabric rotary cutters were straight edges, but now there are ones with a fluted, curved edge which gives a unique flare to the material used in the quilt.
Quilt patterns often call for squares, triangles and strips of fabric that take time to cut when using the traditional method of scissors; however when using a cutting mat, rotary cutter and straight edge ruler, the cutting time will be about half of what it used to be when using scissors.
It is a good idea to practice cutting on scrap fabric at first and visit a craft or quilt shop to ask the people for advice on buying the best fabric rotary cutter for your needs.
The two most popular brands of fabric rotary cutters are manufactured by Ofla and Fisker; they have great features and last longer than some cheaper brands who do not have the experience these companies do.
Take time choosing your fabric rotary cutter as it will be used for years to help you in completing the wonderful quilts to treasure for years to come and pass down as heirlooms to your children and grandchildren.
Cutting fabric by hand with a pair of scissors was painful and slow causing pain in the fingers and hand, contributing to carpel tunnel syndrome.
The fabric rotary cutters are a time saver and are used by most of the quilters who practice the art and enjoy creating quilts from fabric.
The size ranges from small 18mm in diameter, to large at 60mm in diameter.
The small ones are great to use when cutting fabric requiring curves but the large ones can cut through layers of fabric at a time.
The rotary cutters consist of a few parts, the handle which consists of a molded handle and the head with a bolt for the blade to be attached and the nut that fits over the bolt, securing the blade in place.
This should be tightened just so the blade can still turn freely, otherwise it will be difficult to use.
The best fabric cutters are those which allow the blade to be retracted behind the head because this keeps the blade from accidentally cutting into something vital like a foot or hand if it is knocked from the cutting table.
The blades are made of a very sharp steel and very thin at the edge.
They should always be used with the cutting mat and a specialized ruler that helps guide the blade on a straight line instead of meandering across the fabric.
The first blades manufactured for the fabric rotary cutters were straight edges, but now there are ones with a fluted, curved edge which gives a unique flare to the material used in the quilt.
Quilt patterns often call for squares, triangles and strips of fabric that take time to cut when using the traditional method of scissors; however when using a cutting mat, rotary cutter and straight edge ruler, the cutting time will be about half of what it used to be when using scissors.
It is a good idea to practice cutting on scrap fabric at first and visit a craft or quilt shop to ask the people for advice on buying the best fabric rotary cutter for your needs.
The two most popular brands of fabric rotary cutters are manufactured by Ofla and Fisker; they have great features and last longer than some cheaper brands who do not have the experience these companies do.
Take time choosing your fabric rotary cutter as it will be used for years to help you in completing the wonderful quilts to treasure for years to come and pass down as heirlooms to your children and grandchildren.