How To Use a Rotary Cutter // Helpful Beginner Tips and Tricks

[@ellendominusbroude5736]

Leftie chiming in here! Many rotary cutters are reversible, meaning you can put the blade on the opposite side for left handed use. Also, Creative Grids makes a ruler for lefties with the numbers aligned up the left side! Both make everything so much easier for us.

[@JanHowell]

good to know, thanks for sharing!

[@val_nightlily]

Thanks for this.

[@adriane5496]

I am a leftie thank you sharing that information

[@sueroberts1264]

Thank you. A very useful video for a newbie to using a rotary cutter.

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful.

[@JustMeAndMyFabric]

Hi Jan, this was so helpful. I appreciate the tips, especially regarding cutting around curves and the ruler stabilizer tool. Thanks! Angela

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marjoriemrasek5069]

Thank you for your easy steps in changing blades! I was having difficulties.

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@peggyseabrun4829]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, very comprehensive and a BIG help

[@JanHowell]

Awesome, glad it was helpful.

[@vikkiemonument7807]

Thank you Jan, very helpful. I might even attempt cutting curves with my rotary cutter 😊

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome. You can do it, it's actually quite easy.

[@mariaFlorR609]

Love love love your videos ❤️so much good information 😊

[@JanHowell]

Thanks so much! You are so kind.

[@MoniqueTannis]

Amazing! Thank you. I'm new to learning about the rotary cutter. Thank you for sharing. It is helpful.

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@Midlife_Manical_Mayhem]

i just bought one of the small ones because it seemed like it should be easier to cut curves with. in your assembly portion, it might have been useful for some to have mentioned that you can flip the blade to the other side, and the screws to the side the blade was on for left hand users. i didn't see the link for the matt in the description, but i did find it on your blog.

[@Kaila999]

Thanks! I’m a leftie and also a beginner sewer, so I wouldn’t have known that.

[@JanHowell]

Thanks for mentioning that! I forgot to go over that in the tutorial and will add that tip to the blog post.

[@dturk1385]

Great video! Thank you!

[@JanHowell]

You are welcome!

[@KayPayne-b3h]

Thank you for the information. I was wondering what to buy.

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@portialanden6353]

Thank you so much for the tips. I appreciate it!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@AliceGrime]

Jan, thank you. I’ve used a rotary cutter for a while and found some useful tips on your video. The one thing I was hoping to find out is if there’s a rotary cutter that locks the blade in the out position. With my present cutter I must hold a button forward at the top for the blade to remain out and it eventually gets hard work on my thumb, and although you recommend one with that keeps the blade out by squeezing the handle, I would prefer not to do this either. It would be good for people with arthritis to know if there’s a cutter where we don’t have to put stress on our fingers (or thumb). I hope you can recommend one - it’s hard to tell from the manufacture’d descriptions.

[@JanHowell]

They do make cutters like this and they come in all sizes. geni.us/z1GN4

[@adriane5496]

Thank you that was very helpful to me a beginner

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@janicemclean2033]

Thank you very much. Cheers Janice.

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@lorilovesscience4]

Perfect, thank you.

[@JanHowell]

You're welcome!

[@shridevinair4046]

Awesome tips.. Thank You so much 🙏❤❤❤❤❤

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@lilianecampos7104]

Hello Jan, I just subscribed here in your channel! I'm a beginner 60yo sewer! The could not find the mat at ETSY. Do you know where can I find it in another website? Thank you very much! I am already enjoying your tutorials! That link is not available anymore!

[@Kaila999]

Really good tips. Thanks!

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lucyroark4189]

Many thanks!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@jhudson9411]

Just the video I needed!!!! Bless you! Where is the link to the matts and accessories?

[@JanHowell]

Here is the link to a good basic cutting mat and cutter. geni.us/QtntQ7 You can also find the links for all the accessories in my blog post here. youmakeitsimple.com/2022/01/08/a-beginners-guide-to-rotary-cutting-helpful-tips-and-tricks/

[@jhudson9411]

@@JanHowell Thank you for the link!! So glad to have come across you yesterday. Where can I get a ruler that has an edge? Not the sticky added part, but the one that already has that lip? I didn't see it on the other page.

[@celp88]

I had the same question. I found it- it’s an O LIPFA - lip edge ruler.

[@LoloAkole]

Thank so very much 💕

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@minalshah764]

Thank you for your informative video. I couldn’t click on the PVC cutting mat. I am more interested in getting their handle for my 6.5 x 24.5 ruler to stop it moving. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you!

[@JanHowell]

There are things you can apply to the bottom of rulers to help keep them from sliding around.Or you can just add a few dots of HOT GLUE to the back of your ruller. It works really well.

[@itsweez5298]

Hi Jan, what’s the height of your cutting table? Any info on it will be helpful,

[@JanHowell]

It is 29.5 inches. You may also like this video showing some more sewing room tips and ideas. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qITKkphvmNuNnsU

[@UVJ_Scott]

Thank you!

[@JanHowell]

You're welcome!

[@margyboomgaard6286]

Hi Jan, great video! Thanks! Where can I purchase such a mat? I am from Holland.. can't find those big ones here. You said Etsy, but there is no link..

[@JanHowell]

Hi Margy, The link for the mat is in the description, but towards the bottom. Here is the link. www.etsy.com/shop/BIGROTARYCUTTINGMAT2?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=880129411 I hope you're able to order and have it shipped to Holland. That may be pricey. If not, a self healing mat is still a good option.

[@Bevygram]

How do you prevent your fabric from pulling/moving on the right while you are cutting?

[@JanHowell]

You may find this hack helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oF67p6Jvh5ilo80si=q8d6V97p5Zkzj5Ng&t=49

[@LisaEllenPearce]

You always use the ruler at the edge of the material. What happens if you don't cut from top to bottom of the material and so want to start the cut from higher up the material? The sticky T square: will it work on the material as well as the mat? Hope you understand what I am asking.

[@JanHowell]

Those type of cuts you may need to use the scissors. If it's not a full cut. I hope I'm understanding correctly.

[@paulinebarrett2974]

Good night what size is rotary cutter the bi g one

[@JanHowell]

Just the standard size. Just looks big. geni.us/SHXBf6k

[@sarah-lw1nx]

Hi, is this Suitable for fabric that has been folded several times ?

[@JanHowell]

Yes, I do it all the time.

[@christinebest8897]

Which is the cutter you recommend please?

[@JanHowell]

I like both of these Olfa RETRACTABLE ROTARY CUTTER- Amazon (paid link) geni.us/SHXBf6k Olfa 28 MM ROTARY CUTTER - Amazon (paid link) geni.us/z1GN4

[@Koloss04]

Hello Jan, this toll can cut nonwovens?

[@JanHowell]

Yes

[@WampumGirl51]

I got Fiskers rotary cutter as a christmas present and after watching your video I ordered a big mat and got it today. My cutter wouldn't even cut through a single layer of fabric. Blade was turning freely. Very disappointed.

[@JanHowell]

Bummer. I would see if you could send it back and get a refund. They are very nice to talk to.

[@LisaEllenPearce]

I noticed you are not using the squares on the mat to line up the material just lining up the ruler to get the straight edge. Shouldn't you be using both?

[@JanHowell]

Sometimes it's easier to use just one or the other. Depends on the project you are working on.

[@motygoldman1643]

can you cut in any surface ???

[@JanHowell]

No, you'll need a cutting mat