How to Use a Rotary Cutter

A rotary cutter is a great time-saver for quilters and sewers. With a sharp blade, you can easily cut six to eight layers of fabric at once. Very little pressure is needed to cut fabric with a rotary cutter, making it especially helpful for volume sewers and arthritis sufferers. Read on to learn how to use a rotary cutter.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rotary cutter
• Cutting mat
• Clear sewing ruler
• Fabric

Basic Use

1. Lay the fabric right side down on the mat with the selvage edge away from you. Fold the fabric with the selvages together, lining up the selvage edges with the fold. Lightly finger-press the fold.

2. Place the ruler on top of the fabric and match a horizontal line on the ruler with the folded edge of the fabric, leaving about an inch of fabric along the right hand edge of the ruler.

3. Move your hand out of the way of the rotary cutter, and maintain firm pressure on the ruler. Take the safety off of the rotary cutter, and cut along the edge of the ruler, cutting away from your body. The rotary cutter should always be touching the edge of the ruler.

4. Cut until you reach the end of the fabric and discard the excess fabric. You now have a squared edge that you can use to line up all subsequent cuts.

5. Move the ruler over the width of your desired strip, and repeat.

Cutting Multiple Layers

6. Stack the fabric, making sure to align the grain and folds.

7. Place the ruler on the fabric, applying firm pressure with your hand.

8. Cut through all of the layers of fabric at once.

9. Reduce the layers of fabric slightly if you have any difficulty. Stack only as many as you can cut without the fabric twisting or bunching.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the blades in the rotary cutter often. A dull blade won't cut well and will require more pressure, which can scar the cutting mat.
• Always hold your head directly over the cutting area so that you have a direct view of the cutting line.
• Make sure the safety guard is in place when the rotary cutter is not in use.