Rotary cutter question...

9 years ago

So... I am rather new to the world of sewing. I received a sewing machine for Christmas. I have long wanted one just for small craft projects. I have no desire to sew my own clothes or take on any big projects. My first project this week was making a set of cloth napkins. I figured even a novice like me couldn't screw that up too badly. I started cutting the materials with scissors.... Then had the bright idea that a rotary cutter and self healing mat could probably provide much cleaner edges... And much faster than tediously cutting them by hand. So, off to the fabric store I go and end up dropping 60+ dollars on a mat, cutter and straight edge. I decided to try it out tonite and ended up throwing the cutter across the room and pouring myself a glass of wine!! No matter the amount of pressure I used it would not cut through the material. Light pressure... No cut at all. Medium pressure... A very uneven cut. Little bit here... Then a few inches of nothing. Hard pressure... A ragged uneven cut and I even ended up putting several deep slices into my mat!! Not to mention my hand was actually sore by the time I finished. I could chew through the material and get a cleaner cut than this thing gives me. The material is just thin cotton. I've been watching tutorials on YouTube... When they use rotary cutters it looks effortless, and the cuts they make are razor sharp and clean. Not so with my experience. Think I'll go back to scissors. This whole sewing experience has been so negative thus far... Just makes me want to throw everything in a closet and say to hell with it. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong with this rotary cutter?? It's a Fiskars 45 mm if that makes any difference.

Featured Answer

donna_loomis

9 years ago

I love my rotary cutters! I think you have either a defective cutter, a defective blade, the blade is in incorrectly, or you aren't using it correctly. Take it back to the fabric store and ask them to show you how to use it. Either they will show you the correct way to use it, or they will see that there is something wrong with it.

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Comments (11)

clt3
9 years ago
Make sure the screw holding the blade in place is not too tight. Also, you should have a self healing mat - shouldn't have any cuts in it.
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User
9 years ago
Did you accidentally put more than one blade in? I've done that and it was really bad cutting. And take the mat back for a refund. cutting mats should not get gashes in them.

Sewing does take practice - my mom had me sewing on woven gingham checks and up and down striped ticking to learn to sew straight. I went through a couple spools of thread ad a couple yards of cloth, but it was worth it.

An easy project would be a cover for a cushion.
scott_madison Zone 5a- Madison, WI thanked User
andy99mich
9 years ago
What kind of cutter did you get? The spectrum of quality is very wide. You may want to sharpen it and see how it does, if all else fails (what I do is just cut peices of tin foil to sharpen at home). I can't remember the type of rotary cutter I have, but it certainly cuts clean with some pressure. Honestly, cutting fabric irks me because you have to measure, cut each thing the same exact way, etc. ;-) I've seen laser scissors online that look odd but interesting that do a similar job.
scott_madison Zone 5a- Madison, WI
Original Author
9 years ago
OK.... So I returned my first rotary cutter that wasn't able to cut through even one layer of cotton fabric..... And my gouged up cutting mat. I went to an actual fabric store instead of a big box hobby/craft store... And purchased another rotary cutter. This one a little more expensive, and also another cutting mat. The salesclerk said her cutting mat is 10 years old and still looks like new... And she uses it all the time. Upon arriving home, I took the cutter and some fabric and gave it a try. Voila.... It worked perfectly! And hardly any pressure needed to make a nice clean cut. Thank you all for your input and advice!!
donna_loomis
9 years ago
So, it was defective after all. Nice to know it wasn't you, but maddening just the same. Off you go now to create something!
chedanemi
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Question for you, Scott... what fabric store did you go to? I live about 30 miles from Madison, and the only ones I know are Joann's and the one at Westgate Mall. I want to know if I am missing out on one!
scott_madison Zone 5a- Madison, WI
Original Author
9 years ago
Actually, the first cutter that didn't work came from Hobby Lobby. I returned it and went to Joann's instead. They are much more knowledgeable than Hobby Lobby. There is a small fabric store called Gayfeather Fabrics on Williamson St. I haven't visited it yet, but it looks rather quaint and charming. Got a lot of good reviews.
H B
9 years ago
Scott, if you haven't already done so, you might want to sign up for the Joanns app, there are always coupons going on, and at least in my area, they will apply all of them that work. Don't ever pay full price, those cutters, replacement blades, etc, are expensive! Some of the joanns employees are just fabulously creative and helpful. And have fun. Good luck!
scott_madison Zone 5a- Madison, WI
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks... I'll do that. Always good to save money where you can!
4thumbs
9 years ago
So glad you're rotary cutter problems were solved. I couldn't possibly live without mine. Most of my sewing is now confined to doll clothes for my granddaughter but I still enjoy the sense of accomplishment when something is completed.

And yes, definitely sign up for Joanne's as they have coupons galore.