Rotary cutters cut all fabric kinds fast and easily, up to six or eight layers at a time, without altering pattern cutting lines. They are especially appreciated by volume sewers and arthritis patients because the blade does all of the work while you grip the handle and apply light pressure. Some kinds can be modified to control the amount of pressure applied, allowing for fabric weight variation.
Fabric Rotary Cutter/Trimmer are available in a variety of sizes and types. The diameter of the blades ranges from 18mm to 60mm. Smaller diameter blades make it considerably easier to cut out curves and details, whilst larger-diameter blades make short work of long, straight cuts. The larger-blade cutters are ideal for quilting, while the smaller cutters are ideal for more intricate crafts and garment manufacturing.
When evaluating a cutter, ensure that the blades are simple to load and change. Some rotary blades have a safety shield that locks in place over the blade when not in use and back from the blade while in use.
Mark notches using shears or snips when cutting out objects with rotary cutters. Hold your head directly over the blade while you cut to ensure a clear view of the cutting line. Use a ruler or other cutting guide wherever possible. Butt the blade up against the ruler's edge to cut.
Rotary cutters allow you to cut multiple objects at once. Stack the textiles with care, aligning the grains and creases. Place the pattern (if necessary) and cut through all layers at once. If you encounter any resistance, reduce the number of layers until you can easily cut through the fabric without it bunching or twisting.
To begin, place the blade 1" in from the fabric's edge along the ruler. Pull the blade carefully toward you and away from the fabric edge; this initial clip will protect the fabric from bunching and will encourage a smooth start for the forward motion; this is the only time you should cut toward you.
Replace blades as needed. A dull blade will not cut efficiently and will damage the cutting mat if too much pressure is applied. If your rotary cutter blade is sharp but your cutter isn't working properly, check the nut that holds the blade in place and brush away any lint that gets caught between the nut and the blade. When not in use, engage the safety guard and keep the rotary cutter out of reach of youngsters.
A rotary cutting mat and a clear plastic ruler are also required to utilise a rotary cutter safely, successfully, and efficiently. As a cutting guide for curved regions, use a French curve or hipline curve ruler.
Pattern weights should be used in conjunction with a rotary cutter and mat. Pattern weights keep the pattern from slipping and shifting as you cut. Choose shaped weights made to meet popular pattern curves, right angles, and straight edges; round weights with gripper tacks; or felt-bottomed lead weights made specifically for sewing.
A guide arm is also available as an accessory on certain models and as a built-in function on others for cutting wider or smaller seam allowances or strips of consistent width—a tremendous time saver. Patterned blades, like as pinking and scalloping, are also available for cutting fabrics, as well as paper, pictures, and cards.
There are various types of rotary blades. The straight edge blade is the most widely used. You may also buy speciality blades, such as the wavy blade, which works well with minky or chenille and can be used in place of pinking shears. Its wavy edge can also be employed as a decorative element. The perforated edge blade is another sort of speciality blade that makes microscopic incisions that can be used to add a crochet edge or a lace up stitch to fabric edges.
A self healing cutting mat is a thin, flexible mat consisting of many layers of plastic and coated with vinyl. They are essential for protecting your work surface from nicks and scratches, as well as preventing your rotary blade from growing dull faster. The mat gets microscopic nicks from the rotary blade moving over it that close after the blade goes through, hence the name self healing. Self healing cutting mats are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from little squares and rectangles to huge mats that are 24" x 36", which is a usual size for cutting a whole yard of cloth.
Pre-washing fabric for a quilt is a point of contention. In contrast to clothing, I do not pre-wash the fabric when constructing a quilt. Once you've determined whether or not to pre-wash your fabric, starch it uniformly.
Quilting relies on precise cloth cutting and straight seams. But if you don't start with straight and correct fabric, no matter how straight your seams are, you won't be able to achieve a perfectly constructed quilt. When fabric is taken off the bolt, it is frequently cut crooked and must be squared up; a quilting word for lining up the selvage (or fabric edges with the manufacturer's name) and cutting such that it makes a square.
The early rotary cutters had straight handles that required bending the wrist to apply the necessary cutting pressure. A modern bent-handle design, which may be used with a straight wrist, puts less strain on the joint. Martelli's rotary cutter has a handle that is perpendicular to the blade. For a stronger, smoother cut, the handle moves the weight to the arm and body rather than the wrist.