"Rotary Cutting"

Follow these easy-to-use rotary cutting instructions for perfect fabric piecing!

Take me straight to the instructions!

The invention of the "rotary cutter" and "self-healing cutting mat" has created a quick, easy and accurate method for cutting the squares, rectangles and triangles required to make pieced quilting blocks. To cut fabric using the rotary cutting system, you will need to purchase a rotary cutter, a self-healing mat and a see-through acrylic, inch-grid ruler.

Rotary cutters are available in 3 main sizes - small (28mm blade), medium (45mm blade) and large (60mm blade). The medium-sized cutter will suffice for all your basic cutting needs. You may like to purchase a larger cutter if you find you are cutting large quantities of fabric regularly. A small cutter is handy, but not necessary, to trim small pieces or straighten block edges when piecing.

SAFETY NOTE: Rotary cutters have a very sharp blade which MUST be shielded at all times when not in use. It is "important" to make a habit of clicking the shield into place every time you place the cutter down. Cutters with "self-retracting" blades are available which avoids this problem.

Self-healing cutting mats come in a range of sizes. A medium size mat - 18" x 24" is an ideal starter and serves most purposes. Again, you may decide to purchase a larger mat if you are doing a lot of pieced work and a 6" x 12" small mat is rather "handy" to carry with you.

As with the mats, transparent, plastic inch grid rulers are available in many and varied sizes. A 6½" x 24" grid ruler is the "most versatile" for a beginner. Additionally, I highly recommend a 6½" x 12" grid ruler. This is very useful once your initial cutting is completed and easy to carry around. A square
grid ruler is also very valuable to ensure your blocks are "perfectly square".

If you don't have the three items described above, you'll need to head out for a quick spot of shopping. Your local quilting store will stock these products and stores like "Spotlight" also carry such items. There are various brands available. I use an Olfa cutter and mat which I really like and a Sew Easy ruler.

So, now you are "ready to cut" your fabric! (Make sure your fabric is pressed neatly before you start.)

ROTARY CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS

Place your mat on a cutting table or bench top. You will need a large clear area. Firstly, you need to "trim and straighten" the edge of the fabric prior to cutting any strips, to remove frayed edges and "square up" the fabric.

You will need to fold the fabric in half with the selveges together . Depending on the size of your board and ruler, you may need to "fold" your fabric in half again. If so, place the first folded edge neatly along the selveged edges.
In the case of fat quarters, take the "raw edge" opposite the selvege and place it along the single selveged edge.

Always make sure the fabric is sitting flat. The grain must run straight across the width of the fabric. Sometimes you will waste fabric in getting it flat and "square" but there is nothing you can do about this. Don't try to fudge here in an effort to save fabric because the "twisted" fabric will spoil your project.

Fabric grain is more important than you might think. Cutting your fabric on the straight grain will produce a quilt that's accurate and easy to assemble. Cutting even slightly off the straight grain may mean your quilt will not be square and won't sit flat. Ensuring you always cut on the "straight grain"
will give you the best results!

Now place the ruler on the fabric, at right angles to the fold. To ensure it is "straight and square", position the ruler so that one of the horizontal lines runs along the folded edge of the fabric. Now trim the fabric along the edge.

If possible, now move to the other side of your board. If not, you will need to "move" the fabric. Place the straight edge along the left side of the board, if you are "right" handed, and to the right of the board, if "left-handed". Alternatively, keep the fabric in position and spin the board around 180deg.

Some people use a "turn-table" and permanently glue the mat down to create an easy to spin mat but I prefer the fabric to lay flat with the surface I'm working on. Also I don't like the fact that the turn-table can move around while you are cutting. I think it has the potential to be dangerous. Once you've created a rotating mat, it is no longer portable for those group quilting days.

Now you can use the ruler to "measure" the width of the strip you need to cut. If you are following a pattern, cut the strips as indicated in the pattern. If you are creating your own block, remember to allow an extra ½" for seam allowances. For example, if you want a strip to be 2" once sewn, you'll need to cut the strip 2½" to start.

Take extra care when measuring and follow the philosophy of "measure twice, cut once". After your fabric is cut, it's cut for good. If you cut it too narrow it is completely wasted.

Be very, "very" particular and ensure the ruler is level right across the width of the fabric, BEFORE you cut. There is nothing worse than finding you have a strip of fabric that is 2½" at one end and only 2¼" at the other. Again, the fabric will be unusable for your current project, without some major changes.

When you are 100% happy with your measuring, hold the ruler "firmly" into position, with fingers well away from the edge of the ruler. You don't want to lose the top of you finger in this exercise. And don't laugh, it has happened on many occasions. Please take lots of care. As mentioned earlier, the blades are amazingly "sharp".

Check once more that it is perfectly straight. I know I'm nagging but if you cut perfect strips now you are well on your way to "perfectly" square blocks. This is the "aim" in all pieced work. Now, holding the ruler firmly in place, cut the strip of fabric.

Place your non cutting hand in the "centre" of the ruler and press firmly to hold in position. It is important that the ruler does not slip while you are cutting, otherwise your strips will not be perfectly straight and yet again fabric may be wasted.

Continue to cut all the strips you need and providing you are not strip piecing, then cut each of the strips into the various shapes required for your project.

IMPORTANT HINTS AND TIPS FOR...

ROTARY CUTTERS:

• remember to shield the blade when the cutter is not in use
• always cut away from your body
• dispose of used blades in a responsible manner
• store your cutter "out of reach" of children
• mind your fingers -- keep them away from the edge of your ruler and blade

SELF-HEALING CUTTING MATS:

• always store your mat in a flat position
• NEVER leave you mat in the car. The heat will warp your mat and render it useless.
• try "not" to cut on the same line continuously or this part of the mat will wear ahead of the rest.
• only use your rotary cutter on your mat and do not use knives or other sharp implements

Now you are quite literally "armed" and dangerous! I recommend you find a simple pattern (without triangles) to follow, such as the nine patch block and "have a go". Tackle a small project initially -- make a cushion cover, table-runner or wall-hanging to practise your newly learned skills.

I hope you've found this information on rulers, cutters and boards useful.

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