The Sewing Place
Tools of the Trade => The Haberdashery => Topic started by: sewingj on February 28, 2019, 10:16:20 AM
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Recently we`ve been having quite a bit of discussion about rotary cutters in other threads - I think some useful information might be overlooked.
Could this be a one-stop-shop for everything to do with them?
recommended cutters and blades and where to get them
recommended mats
how to sharpen blades
best technique
etc etc etc
So far I`m not convinced they are for me but I`m willing to be persuaded
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Just ordered (and received) 10 Olfa 28 mm blades for just under £15!
Whack the postage on and it comes out to just under £20 but still good value for genuine Olfa, I think!
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IMO rotary cutters are for using with a ruler, scissors or shears are for everything else.
Both need to be sharp and not abused if you want to continue successfully cutting fabric.
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To sharpen, I have successfully cut through three layers of kitchen foil.
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I usually use the scissors for small things and clothing, the cutter for quilting.
For the recently completed shirt I used the rotary cutter. It worked extremely well on those long seams and hems. I think scissors still for notches though.
I'm a clothing rotary cutter convert.
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I use them for cutting around pattern pieces on a large mat. The mat costs more than the cutter.
It's faster and produces a cleaner, more accurate cut. I wouldn't do it any other way now.
Cheap "Jakar Rotary Cutter" from "The Range", cost only £2.99. I've used it 5 times on full patterns and many other times for cutting curtains etc. It's still sharp and 28mm replacement blades are cheap at 10 for £6 on eBay. The only down side to this particular cutter is that the blade tightening nut has a tendency to work loose, requiring periodic adjustment.
Rotary cutting is the way to go IMO. Just get a large A2 sized mat (or larger).