I don't know if this is a tip, or just a heads up. I was having so much trouble with cutting my strips exact. No matter how carefully I held my ruler the strips would come out slightly off. Then my sister suggested that maybe I was not holding my rotary cutter straight up and down.She was right! It was tilted slightly in which caused my strips to be slightly narrower than I wanted. Now I make sure my rotary is absolutely upright and my strips are perfect.
In the beautiful Pacific Northwest!
Judy, thanks for this tip because I have the same problem. Now I know how to fix it.
Margaret
Judy, WOW I have had the same problem at times , never even thought I was holding the cutter wrong. Thanks for the heads up..Barbara
EAT!! SLEEP !! QUILT!!
I've learned not to cut at night as I have a lot of trouble holding the ruler down tight, especially when cutting WOF strips. I'm much more accurate in the morning, although I seem to have more time in the evenings. Oh well, when I need to cut fabric, I get up in the morning and do it right away, has made all the difference in the world.
Karla, Fernley, NV
Thanks Judy - have had the same issue. I am wondering whether those ergonomic rotary cutters like the ones by Martinelli (?) are any easier to keep in the proper position.
Griffin, GA
Marge,I have a Martelli cutter and love it. I have several other regular cutters too but the Martelli is by far the best. It feels like part of your hand.
Cathie: Marge,I have a Martelli cutter and love it. I have several other regular cutters too but the Martelli is by far the best. It feels like part of your hand.
Does it use special blades or could I use the 45mm I have for my current rotary cutter?
Are these similar to the True Cut My Comfort rotary cutters. I have one and kind of like it. It has a feature that it rides along the top edge of the ruler. Supposedly this keeps it from slipping. That's good, but that lip does get in the way if I want to cut backwards. It's also difficult to take apart and reload blades. I'd like to know how it compares to the Martelli.
Judy T-Bellingham:Does it use special blades or could I use the 45mm I have for my current rotary cutter?
Judy,
the Martelli cutters come in 45 and 60mm sizes. No special blades the regular ones work. The blades are easy to change as well. Just one screw to remove.
This cutter helps keep your wrist in proper alignment and requires less pressure to cut through your fabric. It is great for those who have arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome etc. You can still tilt the cutter and have inaccurate cuts but it's much gentler on your hands.
Click here for the Martelli website.
Marge, I have a Martelli and I love it. I also bought a ruler from them which has a liner on the bottom for non slip. Between the two you can't hold and cut the fabric any other way but strait up. A little more expensive but worth it.
Millbury, MA
And Judy, on the one screw to change the blade, rightly tighty doesn't work, it's just the opposite. Right will loosen it and left tightens it.
I just used my first pinking blade for a cutter and OMG I love it , to bad they are so expensive .. Barbara