You guys, am I the only stitcher on the planet who doesn't use a rotary cutter? Are they really all they're hyped up to be?
Admittedly, I bought the one pictured above for £1 for some DIY reason I no longer recall. Unsurprisingly, when I tried it out on a sewing project it didn't glide and I had to go over my fabric multiple times...which resulted in a shredded mess. Ever since, I've been suspicious of all rotary cutters and dubious about the value they add. But lately I've been finding cutting with shears more cumbersome that usual, as well as inaccurate at times, so I'm finally feeling ready to branch out!
I could definitely do with your expertise to help me on my way though, like:
- Where can I get a good quality rotary cutter from?
- Are there any particular brands I should look out for?
- Can rotary cutters be used on any type of fabric?
- Are they particularly good for certain types of fabric?
- Is there any scenario where the traditional shears still trump a rotary cutter?
- Do you have any general tips and advice for using a rotary cutter?
I'm looking forward to your pearls of wisdom...thank you!
Hi Marie. I use a rotary a lot more than I thought I would, it's been great for accuracy and speed. I like using weights as it's quicker than having to pin everything. However I only use it for smaller pattern pieces as you need a really big cutting mat for anything bigger. So when I'm cutting really big pieces of fabric or pattern pieces I do have to resort to the scissors on the floor technique. If you get one, get some spare blades at the same time, and change them when you feel it start to get blunt. Mine cuts through even denim without problems. I would say they are particularly good if you don't want to pin your fabric, eg for leather.
ReplyDeleteMind your fingers!!!
I love my rotary cutter, and can't imagine cutting any other way—especially since I have carpal tunnel and cutting with shears aggravates it like nothing else. I have had the Olfa ergonomic rotary cutter since I started sewing, and I've been very happy with it. As long as you change your blade when it shows signs of dulling, it glides right through every fabric. Each blade lasts me through quite a few projects, and the refills are inexpensive. I find it especially helpful on stretch fabrics and delicate fabrics because the fabric won't shift around from handling as you cut. Just use good weights to keep everything in place, a sharp blade, and you'll be golden!
ReplyDeleteI'm fond of my Fiskars rotary cutter, which I was given along with replacement blades (you do need to replace them when they dull). I don't use my good shears for cutting out anymore, the cutter is so much easier and more accurate. What I like most about it is that I can use paperweights instead of pins most of the time (I have to pin really light fabrics).
ReplyDeleteI think the best advice is to go slowly, and put a finger on the grippy bit to get better control on the angle.
I have the 45 mm Olfa cutter and I like it. I find that I can't get around tight corners with it so I have to pull out the scissors for that, but for large pattern pieces the rotary cutter can't be beat! The key to easy cutting is a nice sharp blade - be sure to change it if it starts sticking on you.
ReplyDeleteI love mine, and have found great success with a rotary blade sharpener rather than buying the refills (although YMMV, I know people who don't like the sharpener at all).
ReplyDeleteI am a shears fan (and use metal washers to weight down fabric still, with scissors). I will use my rotary cutter for straight lines (e.g., bands that are rectangles) and they are invaluable for slippery fabrics. Just less of a disruption to the fabric.
ReplyDeleteBut to me, the blades are SO danged expensive that it just doesn't pay for me to use them for everything. But I sew A LOT! :)
I am.not a covert to rotary I am afraid. I still use my old shears and love them. Tried a rotary cutter but just didn't like the feel.of it. Pity as I suppose it is a lot faster to cut stuff out with. A job I loath. Xx
ReplyDeleteI love Fiskars for both my rotary cutter and all scissors. I have two - a 45 mm one for cutting pieces for quilting and a 20 mm (thereabouts, it's small anyway) for anything with a curve. Find it much easier, especially for anything stretchy.
ReplyDeleteI love mine. I have an Olfa one and use it for everything. It's particularly good for slippery fabrics
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend the 45mm Olfa. It saves so much time and accuracy is much better than with scissors. Do get a blade sharpener and plenty of extra blades.
ReplyDeleteI use my OLFA cutter for all my dressmaking projects now, however I am still a newbie! I think it's more accurate and I speed through cutting now.
ReplyDeleteI bought mine from Amazon and recently bought a replacement blade and it was pretty damn cheap!
I haven't used many different fabrics so I can't comment on that!
I do use the shears for very sharp curves!
I have an olfa and have been using it for very delicate, shear fabrics, especially when cutting pieces on a single layer. I use lots of weights (from my home improvement store: heavy square washers and long rectangular pieces of metal). I move the weights very close to the border of the pattern piece and cut slowly. I always put my left hand away from the trajectory of the cutter, it's very easy to cut yourself!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who sews all the time, my nice sewing scissors were getting way too heavy for me to hold comfortably. I switched to a rotary cutter a few years ago for comfort, but found I was much more accurate with a rotary cutter as well. It's definitely a tool that you have to get used to. The first time you pick it up it feels awfully foreign, and trying to use a rotary cutter with a ruler at the same time feels like a hospital visit waiting to happen for a while haha! BUT. Give it some time and I think you'll love it. It's not a cheap investment to start. You'll need a mat, the handle, a plastic ruler, and some extra blades to get started but I have found the investment to be totally worth it. I hate using pins, so being able to use pattern weights while cutting fabric out is pretty fantastic. It's not fair to say rotary cutters are superior to a nice pair of scissors because they're really completely different tools. There are some things you just need scissors for! ...but with that said, I'm a total rotary die hard. I use Olfa brand which I really like but the prices at Jo-Anns are enough to make your eyes explode. WAWAK Sewing Supply online has MUCH better pricing on all things Olfa. Oh, and if you're ambidextrous like me, rotary cutters are twice as awesome ;)
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutters, and I use them to cut out 99% of my apparel fabric! The other 1% of the time, I use snips to clip threads that my rotary missed, but that's just because I haven't replaced the blade in six years. :} Brand-new Olfa blades cut perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI have a 45mm Olfa and a 28mm Clover, and they're both great. I use the 28mm to get around small curves and the 45mm for everything else. Since I also quilt, I slide a ruler along the edge of my pattern to make sure I don't accidentally cut off too much, and everything comes out really accurately. I hope you try using a rotary cutter again! :)
I'm a fan of the rotary cutter, so much in fact, that I rarely use scissors! The important thing to remember is to make sure you're using a sharp blade. When my blade is dull it doesn't cut fabric well and shreds the edges :/
ReplyDeleteI would literally NOT SEW if I had to use shears to cut fabric! I use my rotary cutter for absolutely everything. I started with a pair of Fiskars that I liked well enough and thought I'd upgrade to a Gingher one (so I downgraded my Fiskars one to cutting tracing paper). It's nice but boy, the blade seems to need to be replaced pretty often. You can tell when it's time to get replaced because it'll start leaving little bits where the fabric is still connected. The only time I don't use it is if my pieces has weird little corners I can't get to, and then I use it for everything else and use shears to cut the fiddly bits. I use a bunch of cheap washers from the hardware store as weights. Love, love, love using a rotary cutter instead of shears!
ReplyDeleteI strongly recommend getting an ergonomic one. I have this one: http://smile.amazon.com/9654-RTY-2-Ergonomic-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B000BNLLHW/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1430936440&sr=1-1&keywords=ergonomic+rotary+cutter, which I like, but I think for heavy use this other one might be even more comfortable to use: http://smile.amazon.com/Fiskars-Change-Control-Rotary-197990-1001/dp/B008O62IPW/ref=sr_1_7?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1430936440&sr=1-7&keywords=ergonomic+rotary+cutter.
ReplyDeleteI also have an 18mm one for tight curves.
I like the Clover blades best, they seem to last longer than the other I've tried. Recently I have discovered the pinking blades and they are amazing for those slippery and super-fraying delicate fabrics!
As for buying, other than the local Garment District, I use amazon.
I've got an Olfa one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilot-Pen-RTY-2-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B000BNLLHW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430937166&sr=8-2&keywords=rotary+cutter) and I buy Olfa replacement blades too. I rotary-cut EVERYTHING, I can even get around most tight curves now. I have three different sized mats and I usually mix and match them to fill the space I need to cut my pieces out. I've also got some weights with little spikes on the bottom to hold them in place which are really handy. Rotary all the way!
ReplyDeleteI use shears mostly but there are times where a rotary really helps. Drapey fabric for example. Buy a high quality rotary cutter like Olfa (I like the 45 mm). You can buy them at most quilt shops or on-line. Change the blade when it no longer cuts on the first pass. I use them when I have a lot of straight line cutting - like waistbands or skirts or linings. Or when make lingerie with really delicate or drapey fabric, like slips. Using shears on such fabric distorts the fabric because the fabric is raised up by the shears while cutting. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI have at least three different brands including Olfa and all are good. I've quilted longer than I've been garment sewing so I've found them easy to use. Like other replies I tend towards pattern weights but use pins too depending on mood/fabric. I would say that you should be VERY careful to avoid running over pins as any nicks will leave uncut fibres on every revolution of the blade. Also, for tight curves the smallest blade is the most useful. I found cutting lining fabric a bit odd as the fibres sunk into my cutting surface and pulling the pieces off the board then made the edges disintegrate but might be just my crummy board, not sure.
ReplyDeleteI second the OLFA cutter and cutting blades. I prefer self-healing mats and tend to replace mine twice a year to keep it cutting really smooth. I am SO SPOILED with my rotary- any other way seems like it takes forrrreeeevvvver lol
ReplyDeleteI didn't think my rotary cutter was anything great, I'd had it for ages, and used it for more than just fabric. Then I noticed blades on sale at my local Fabricland, and thought I'd buy one. I changed the blade, then went to cut out a knit fabric, and it was AMAZING. I am a convert! I didn't realise how dull my blade had gotten. I'm still not sure how often to change it, but I figure at some point I'll start gravitating to my big shears again, and then I'll know to change the rotary blade.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie, I actually use both shears and rottary cutter, the reason I use them both is that first of all I totally love using my shears, love the sound and the idea of using them, secondly I have a 45mm rotary cutter which is not the proper length for cutting thick fabrics(e.g.two layers of wool). appart from these two reasons one could deffenetely use only rottary cutters as they do their job really well as long as you have the proper length. I have a Kai rs-45 using for fabric and bought from http://www.kaiscissors.com/item.php?item_id=268 and a Prym 611368 Rotary cutter MULTI-purpose Size 45mm which I use for paper. you do have to change the blades when they get dull and there are also pinking blades which I find very useful.
ReplyDeleteI would recomend both these as I'm really satisfied using them, the only difference that they have is the way you secure the blades, hard to explain it in english but when prym is unsecured you see the blade exceed so there is no chance to forget securing it, kai on the other hand when usecured the blades remain still but when you press it in a surface they reveal and cut, hope this makes sence.....
Um GIRL you need to get on the rotary cutter train!!! I LOVE mine! I use a 45 mm Olfa and a 24" by 36" cutting mat (when I'm done cutting, I slide the mat behind my file cabinet so it's out of the way). It's SO much faster than cutting with shears. I use shears at work and my hands ache, but I never have that problem with my rotary cutter. :)
ReplyDeleteI had a cheap one which put me off. Invested in a good one - revelation! I won't go back to pinning large pieces. More accurate, quicker and satisfying. Tins from the larder make perfect pattern weights used with my cutting mat on the kitchen table.
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone,I have never used rotary cutter :))
ReplyDeleteYou do get exactly what you pay for in the world of rotary cutters. It's not just the initial cost of the cutter, which seems fairly reasonable - the ongoing cost or replacement blades has to be considered too as they can be as much as 50% of the initial cutter cost. I have a good quality one but only use for quilting fabrics - I find it's not much good on anything other than 100% cotton - and only for straight lines that I can cut against a ruler. Freehand rotary cutting is a lot harder than it looks and frankly, I don't have yards & yards of fabric to practice on. For dress fabrics I always use the shears.
ReplyDeleteTried it, hate rotary cutters. Maybe I didn't have a good one?
ReplyDeleteThey really are all they're cracked up to be. I think if I had to cut everything out with shears that I would sew half as much. After 15 years of using a rotary cutter, I'm really quick with it. Oddly enough, I'm better at freehand following a pattern than I am at following a ruler with one - I just tried quilting for the first time recently.
ReplyDeleteI use an Olfa one and stock up on new blades whenever they go on sale for half off (if you live near a Joann's or Hancocks, that will happen about every six to eight weeks). There are additional things to have that make using a rotary cutter much easier: pattern weights and a good cutting mat. For pattern weights, you can use just about anything. I have something called "Wiggle Weights" that I purchased years ago that are a simple tube of fabric filled with weighted beads. For larger items like pants, I use a couple of my sewing books.
With regards to a cutting mat, I find that the quality of that is as important as the rotary cutter. I sew almost entirely apparel, so I wanted a cutting mat that would a) cut nicely, and b) fit my pattern pieces on it. I've got a 5' x 3' cutting mat from here: http://www.sewingemporium.com/ and it is so nice that I re-ordered from Canada when a friend's daughter set her iron down on it and melted a spot on it. I personally do not like the green Olfa cutting mats at all.
Good luck and you'll love the time you save!
Rotary cutters are all I ever use, and I love them! My mom taught me to sew and she used one, so I've been using one since I was young (I probably started with scissors, but I've used a rotary cutter for as long as I can remember). The one I use is just an Olfa with a safety handle and a 45 mm blade, along with a large self-healing mat. They're an investment, but my mom and I have had the same one for longer than I've been sewing (so more than 12 years).
ReplyDeleteI find them especially useful for any fabric that's slippery or drapey, like silk, rayon and knits, because you can get the fabric on grain and then don't have to worry about it moving while you cut it. I also find them quite useful for long, straight pieces when used with an Omnigrid (I think that's what it's called - it's like a giant ruler with a yellow grid on it), so I've heard they're great for quilting. In general, I just find them much more efficient (so long as you have a good one, and replace the blade often enough! They get frustrating if they're dull.)
Thanks for all the info, Rotarians! I am still stuck on the 'goes through blades like a housefire' problem; one little nick and it's more handsnipping that is worth it. Now that I've gotten the cutting table to a better (taller) height, the shears are much quicker and cleaner for me.
ReplyDeleteI've used a rotary cutter, someone gave me theirs, but I just didn't persevere with it long enough to get to like it. I stick to my dressmaking shears.
ReplyDeletePlease buy a safety ruler if you're going to use it with the rotary cutter. In my dim and distant past, I once used a normal metal ruler and a Stanley knife to cut a piece of card. Yep, you can guess that the knife cut more than the card and I still have the 1" long scar on my thumb! Please please please get a safety ruler. It's metal, has a sort of upside down W shape so fingers are kept from the business end of a sharp edge. It also stays where you put it. Here endeth today's lesson :)
I have a rotary cutter and it's great but I only use it for piecing fabric for patchwork. I tried to cut out dressmaking pattern once but discovered I would need a much bigger mat for that. A rotary mat may be inexpensive, but big mats are a different story.
ReplyDeleteI meant rotary cutter, lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you babe, why does it not glide? Maybe because mine was a cheapie too? I've gotten rid of mine in the move (probably the garage sale!) but after reading some of the comments here, I think I'll be looking for one when I have the cash!
ReplyDeleteI seem to be in the minority here, but I don't like or get on with rotary cutters at all. I was actually trying to use one last night and it was a disaster!
ReplyDeletei trained as a cutter years ago, and used shears or the cutting machine when cutting large lays (its like an electric carver turned on its side). I did art and design subsequently, and have used rotary cutters there but think a scissors is better. the rotary cutters are expensive and you need the mat, and replacement blades. personally I prefer to keep my sewing as simple and inexpensive as i can and have had little change in the tool I use over the years. I can see the advantages for cutting bias strips and quilting squares. I use a scissors currently and will be getting a good shears in the next while (am researching the best options for me). however, there are quite a lot of people who well prefer them!
ReplyDeleteHey Marie! Since I have been using rotary cutters, there is no going back to using scissors. I use a Fiskars 45mm rotary cutter. I prefer it because it has a safety lock if cutting is not required and ergonomic design to make cutting easier. I do find that the blades can get blunt after a while, so you can either get replacement blades from John Lewis or Ebay. However, for lessening environmental impact, l paid about £30 for a rotary blade sharpener, that l bought from Ebay via the US. Worth every penny and l can use my blades much longer and spend less on replacement blades.
ReplyDeleteThe only time l use scissors is to cut out sharp corners.
Personally I love scissors and never considered a rotary cutter except for quilting and bias tape making which it deffo would help. I have many scissors for different purposes and couldn't use the really heavy tailors shears for cutting accurately. After reading everyone's comments I am intrigued to see how it works out for you. Keep us posted on your progress
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever use my fabric shears. I love my rotary cutter and use it for absolutely every kind of fabric, woven, knit, cotton, chiffon, lace, everything. The only time I chose shears was to make a coat where the wool was just too thick. It saves so much time as you can use pattern weights and skip the pins and I find it far more accurate as the fabric is kept flat. Mine is an olfa, which works perfectly well. Buy the largest cutting mat that will fit on your table as moving a small one around beneath your fabric quickly undoes all of the advantages!
ReplyDeleteI think they're great for straight lines or larger pattern pieces. I can't cut free hand with them (I use a ruler), so I use my scissors on smaller or tighter pieces. My cousin, who taught me to sew, refused to let me use a rotary cutter at first. She was convinced I'd cut a finger off! i haven't done that, but recently, late at night and a bit tired, my attention wandered and at the end of a cut I just touched the blade to the hand holding the ruler. I got a 1" cut on the base of my thumb. So be careful! The blades are super sharp.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm in both camps - love and hate! I love rotary cutting with a ruler for quilt pieces but am partial to my Ginger scissors for cutting out garments so I agree with Leigh Ann. I find I can't get into all the corners that garment cutting requires accurately by using a rotary cutter. Using a rotary cutter with a ruler is, on the other hand, easy peasy. Karen
ReplyDeleteYou're not the only stitcher who isn't using a rotary cutter. I haven't made the leap yet. Although, the more I am sewing with knit fabrics, the more I think I might try.
ReplyDeleteI have used one only once, but really it saved my life. I had to cut multiple layers of satin, and the same amount of lace. Tons of it. What a chore, even with a rotary it seemed like forever. I did find it hard going on my hands but using anything for that length of time will hurt. I used an Olfa like most, a 45,mm one. I also made my first blade completely blunt by using it on a cardboard cutting surface. DONT try that. But I don't use them ordinarily, it's laziness really I don't want to get my cutting board out. In short they are so helpful for tricky fabrics, otherwise they are just a preference.
ReplyDeleteI don't use one either, but it's primarily because a good self-healing mat in a useful size is currently out of the budget (not to mention not having the storage space currently). I've used them for a few things in the past, and they are definitely nice if you've got a good quality one. I'm not sure it would ever replace my shears, though.
ReplyDeleteI've also never used rotary cutters.
ReplyDeleteI know plenty of people love them and I can understand the advantages of speed and accuracy but I've also heard warnings about how easy it is to your fingers and wondered about how big a mat you would need for large pattern pieces.
I'll be curious to follow what you decide to do.
I've got a rotary cutter and use it a lot but I've just cut some Liberty tana lawn and it was actually a really nice experience cutting through such lovely crisp fabric with shears!
ReplyDeleteI use a Fiskars 45mm rotary cutter on a special cutting mat. It was love at first touch, and it slides so beautifully, especially around curves, and is especially good for jersey, viscose, and delicate fabrics , a pleasure to use and so fast and a clean and accurate finish. I had an Olfa rotary cutter but it always left uncut threads and the blades didn`t last. I use my shears on thick heavy fabrics . Good luck! Lorrain.
ReplyDeleteYou've gotten lots of comments, mostly for the rotary. Like many, I use a combination of both. I am pin free in the cutting side of things, so it is pattern weights and shears/rotary. I spread out in the floor and lay out all my pieces, weighing them down with my very cute weights (http://sometimesshesews.blogspot.com/2015/04/playing-dress-up.html). When I have what I feel is the best layout I can get for the fabric I have, I switch to cutting. I cut all my large pieces with my beloved Gingher dressmaker shears. I block cut around the small pieces, then shift them and their weights to my cutting mat. There I cut those pieces with my rotary cutter. I have a good size mat (24x36), so I can even do a full blouse entirely with the rotary cutter if I choose, but I rarely do. There is too much shifting around, moving the fabric so it is over the mat. After several projects, I will pull out all my large size scraps and then cut them into quilting pieces, which I do entirely with the rotary. If you're going to leap off, get the largest mat you can afford. Honestly, I can't imagine trying it with anything smaller than what I have, but they can be pricey at that size. Get a good large 45mm cutter and a smaller one in the 18mm range for small fussy cuts and those tight curves on facings.
ReplyDeleteohhh and be careful when changing the blade....I just cut my finger with the new one auchhhhh!
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutter and use it for absolutely every kind of fabric, woven, knit, cotton, chiffon, lace, everything. personally I prefer to keep my sewing as simple and inexpensive as i can and have had little change in the tool I use over the years. I can see the advantages for cutting bias strips and quilting squares. I would need a much bigger mat for that. A rotary mat may be inexpensive, but big mats are a different story.
ReplyDelete