Rotary Fabric Cutter For Tough Materials

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Rotary cutters are mechanical hand tools used in cutting fabric. A fabric rotary cutter is made up of a handle and a very, very sharp circular blade. It is generally used by quilters but it is not limited to them. Anyone that works with fabric should use a rotary cutter as it makes cutting fabric easier. Multiple layers can be cut at one time which makes it a bit easier too. This way you can cut the same sized patchwork pieces quicker compared to using a pair of scissors. Larger blades are used for cutting straight lines and a larger stack of fabric while smaller ones are used to cut corners or curves.

For cutting in straight lines you need a cutting ruler to use in conjunction with your rotary cutter. These types of rulers are marked with dimensions and are usually wide which allows you to push a stack of fabric down in to a large area which increases your accuracy when cutting. As the blades are very sharp to make cutting fabric easier, it is important to choose rotary cutters which have guards on the non-cutting sides of the tool. As with any sharp item, it is very important to keep this tool away from children.

Choose a cutter with a handle that fits your hand perfectly as this will increase your accuracy and will lessen the strain on your hands. It is also important to replace the blade when you feel that it is not making a swift, clean cut through the fabric. If you don’t replace the blades then it may damage your fabric.

When cutting fabric with the rotary cutter, you need a special mat. The rotary cutting mat is a bit rough which helps grip the cloth in place, and it is made of a special material that helps to protect the rotary blade. The mats are sort of self healing, in that the cuts made to the surface is temporary as these cuts close after a while or with a little massage. These mats have grids so you can position your fabric more accurately.  They also have a light and darker side so that you can have contrast with your fabric color. It is wise to choose a mat as big as your work area as it is always easier to use the rotary cutter when you have a large cutting surface.

The benefits that a rotary cutter can give to the quilter, or seamstress, are greater compared to the dangers it poses. Being cut can be avoided easily by being careful and a little bit of practice.