(Olfa also has this foldable cutting mat.)Ĭutting mat maintenance is important! Store your mat flat at all times, and never expose it to high temperatures, or it could warp or bubble. Mats come in a variety of sizes, but I recommend having just two: One that is as large as you can comfortably fit in your sewing space ( mine is 24” x 36” and can be purchased here), and a smaller mat for travel or classes. Unless you want to chop up your cutting surface and dull your rotary blade quickly, a cutting mat is also a must-have. Recently I’ve been buying these Somolux blades and the quality has always been great. (If you’re a paper-piecer, I actually keep one dedicated rotary cutter just for trimming paper-piecing patterns and pieced units with the paper still on-that way I don’t dull my “normal” rotary cutting blade.) Accidentally cutting over a pin or into your acrylic ruler can wreak havoc on a new blade, so try to avoid that!īuying off-brand replacement blades can help keep costs down, but the quality can be hit or miss.
It’s time to change your blade when you notice threads and bits of fabric that are still connected after you’ve cut. Just like with your best fabric-cutting scissors, cutting paper (or any material other than fabric) will dull your blade. Rotary cutters come with interchangeable blades, so regardless of which size you select, you’ll need to buy replacement blades and switch them out whenever a blade gets dull. I own several sizes of rotary cutters, but I find 45mm to be the most versatile size. Which size cutter you use may depend on what you’re cutting: Smaller cutters are best for little pieces, cutting around templates, and intricate shapes. Some people love their ergonomic cutters, but personally I prefer a good old-fashioned straight-handled rotary cutter like this one. At any rate, rotary cutters come in a range of sizes and styles, and may include options such as ergonomic grips. Just think: Before rotary cutters, quilters cut all those pieces with scissors. It’s hard to imagine quilting without these.
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