Rotary cutting has revolutionized quiltmaking! Were
it not for these wonderfully handy gadgets, millions of quiltmakers
would not have joined the quilting craze. Using cutting tools safely
and accurately is very important, so we want to share a few tips for
beginning rotary-cutters.
Step 1. After
being cut or torn at the store and then washed and ironed at home, fabric
is almost never straight and ready for rotary cutting. It is imperative
that you start with a straight edge across the width of the fabric.
Bringing the selvages together, allow fabric to drop
in front of you. Keeping selvages even, scoot fabric along with your
fingers until it falls perfectly straight. The raw edges where fabric
is torn will probably not match up.
Step 2. Lay fabric on cutting
mat with folded edge toward you and raw edge to be straightened facing
right (left-handers facing left). Place 6" x 24" rotary-cutting
rule on fabric, aligning one of the crosswise measuring lines along
the fold. Pressing down firmly on the ruler with your left (right) hand,
cut upward, or away from yourself, along the rule edge. Some people
prefer cutting part way, stopping the cutting motion but not lifting
the cutter, moving the left (right) hand up, then finishing the cut.
Step 3. Turn cutting board
around so that newly straightened edge is facing left (right). To cut
strips, find line on rule to match width of strip desired. Place this
line exactly on cut edge of fabric and cut strip.
Step 4. To cut perfect
squares: Align 1 or more strips of the same width and trim ends to get
an even starting point. Make cuts the same width as strips were cut.
