🧵🌸 LET'S TALK ABOUT ROTARY CUTTERS with Yvonne Busdeker - Karen's Quilt Circle

When Olfa Cutting Tools invented the rotary cutter, it revolutionized the quilting world. Not only could we cut faster but we could also cut with more accuracy. Yvonne Busdecker is a brand manager at Olfa North America, and I asked her a ton of questions about the tech behind the tools, the best way to use them, and the joys of crafting.
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Previously Recommended Tools
Where indicated, the link will direct you to Amazon where I will receive a small commission on your purchase. There is no obligation to purchase from these links. These items may be available locally or you can use or modify something that you already own.
Panasonic NI-WL 600 cordless iron geni.us/K8OvA (amazon)
M-Aimee Wool Pressing Mat geni.us/shw7seK (amazon)
Tractor Seat Adjustable Chair geni.us/YM4WV (amazon)
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Ultimate 3-In-1 Color Tool geni.us/8QezMZq (amazon)
Alarm Timer Cube geni.us/FHElloG (amazon)
LED Lighting Strip geni.us/FxOE (amazon)
Floor Lamp geni.us/CNx3RUB (amazon)
My Favourite Quilt Tools
LDH Scissors lddy.no/njem (LDH scissors)
OMNIGRID 6” x 24” Ruler geni.us/H9Fprrw (amazon)
Olfa 2.5” x 18” Ruler geni.us/Y00AO (amazon)
Add a quarter ruler geni.us/sffqxS (amazon)
Olfa 60MM rotary cutter geni.us/hbmq3 (amazon)
Olfa 45mm rotary cutter geni.us/eBvSBx (amazon)
Clover 28mm rotary cutter geni.us/CLeF (amazon)
Clover Stitch Ripper geni.us/gLL6A (amazon)
Violet Craft Seam Roller geni.us/Bk7YHo (amazon)
T-fal Iron geni.us/ANrABt (amazon)
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Editing software - Premiere Pro

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

You all know that I love cutting fabric. So I was thrilled when Yvonne Busdeker of Olfa agreed to be on the channel. She shared so much wonderful information about rotary cutters, mats and rulers. And don't forget to check out their website for more excellent content. So grab your sewing and a cup of tea and enjoy.

[@annehunt8080]

Just. Get it done quilts

[@karenscribner7031]

Yvonne is an excellent speaker! No extraneous words or “umms” and “ahhs”.

[@bobbiebouvier1111]

How crazy!! I stumbled on this interview of my good friend Yvonne! We’ve been friends and worked together for years! Great job explaining all these amazing Olfa products, Y!!

[@michellecornum5856]

Wow! Ya know, you think you know a thing because you own it, there it is, you've used it, you've had it for years -- and then you hear from the manufacturer, and you don't know a darn thing! Thank you! Very Educational!

[@janebutz5375]

Thank you, Karen, for another amazing interview! I love this series and am learning so much about so many topics. I particularly like your interview style. You are so respectful in really listening to your guests and letting them have the floor. And I love your choice of guests, especially the people from other parts of the world. If you haven’t interviewed Kate Jackson from The Last Homely House, might I suggest her? She loves you! Again, thanks for these bright spots in my day.

[@AnitaSouthall]

yes to Kate, lets all get ready on the 🛋

[@CatherineDoucette]

So glad I don’t need to bathe my mat! Great info!

[@juliemorrison4348]

Thank you Karen for having a great guest full of interesting information about our most used products.♥️🇦🇺

[@AnitaSouthall]

🇦🇺💜🇺🇸💚👍💯

[@jeanrishel840]

Yvonne was amazing! Great guest choice. I learned a lot about cutters and mats that I had not known before- and I’ve been using Olfa products for more than 30 years! Thank you for hosting, Karen ♥️

[@marianmcmichael3783]

I’ll keep it simple. Karen, you are the best!

[@greenquiltsgalore1326]

Hat side up! The best info I've gain from this interview!

[@carolmorgano7158]

I loved this interview great tips thank you so much 👍👍👏👏🥰🥰🌸🌸🇦🇺

[@earlenejarrells7044]

Thanks Karen the Olfa chat was great.

[@smallfootprint2961]

Thank you, Karen, for getting Yvonne on the channel. She answered a lot of my questions.

[@emveecee]

Another wonderful interview! Thank you both for some excellent content!!

[@anneinstx1969]

I so enjoyed this interview. I had been reluctant to watch, thinking there couldn't be much new to learn. So glad I did watch and learned some new things, too. Thank you Yvonne for sharing.

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Hello! I hope you have a cheerful week ahead. I very much enjoyed this video and was able to sit and hand quilt. Thanks for posting this video!

[@TitianMaid2801]

Fantastic. Thank you for so much advice. I am a total novice to patchworking, but loving every single minute of it. I can see that Yvonne has the same enthusiasm that I have for fabrics. I'm totally hooked and can't wait to get my Olfa system to make things easier. I'm off to my local fabric store this morning (don't worry Karen, I don't have a "stash" yet, so I can't shop from there right now 🙂)

[@vickiraub360]

Thank you Karen and , of course Yvonne, for the great information.

[@sharonhenricksen3814]

Great program , good information Thanks Karen - Yvonne Will check on KZbin & their website

[@padmarubiales5184]

Thank you for having Yvonne on to talk about Olfa cutters! I could’ve used this video a few weeks ago. My rotary blade was wobbly and not working right. I was about to give up on it entirely. I went online and on KZbin and couldn’t find anybody talking about the real specifics of changing a blade. They told you to unscrew it and swap it out, but that was about it. Or they told you how to use the blade, but nobody told me which direction to put that little bent nut that comes with it. Or which way to put the screw. And although I eventually figured it out by taking apart another Olfa blade and paying attention, what I found I had done wrong was to have the large side of the pin, the side that says Olfa, on the wrong side of my straight handle cutter! So thank you for having her on, I appreciate that she went into detail about switching the blades.

[@AnitaSouthall]

Found from my 1st blade change to always pay attention while swapping out as to which order and direction the items are placed on my table. so far no drama except the shaped blade I didn't know why it wouldn't cut. Such a joy to work with great tools

[@gwynwellliver4489]

Thank you for another great interview. I just won Olfa blades at my LQS monthly raffle!

[@margaretkent5907]

Wow… thank you so much for having such a wonderful guest..I learned so much about OLFA products that i have been using for years. I replaced the cutting mat recently and of course i bought another OLFA..Happy Quilting.

[@karendvirnak5269]

I didn't expect to learn and enjoy this one. I mostly use olfa rotary but learning about wobbling blades is new and helpful as mine is wobbly! I will change that t

[@TheWhitnick]

Karen, thank you so much for this interview!!! I learned so much.

[@marilynhardman5239]

An amazing and informative interview with Yvonne! Definitely a must see. I’ve always used Olfa products, as they are consistently good! Thank you Karen for this vlog. 💐

[@missdizzlepop]

Another fabulous interview, thank you so much!

[@carolslusser2907]

Karen this was great. Now I know why my rotary cutter wasn't working. Thank you.

[@meghanplamondon8639]

Perfect timing for me on rotary cutters, thank you Karen! Just to know the correct way to put that little washer back when I’m changing a blade got me hooked!

[@angieallen4884]

My cutters are all Olfa because my most respected makers on You Tube use Olfa. Great tools! Thanks for this great info!

[@dumoulinreine5601]

Thank you so much Karen and Yvonne. Now I think I will be able to use my Rotary cutter whitout no problem. Wow !

[@beckyscheller9358]

This was very helpful. Thanks for these interviews

[@jessicastoutmeyer9133]

Amazing and informative video. Thank you for your great videos

[@LaurenMormino]

This was so fun! Yvonne is such a joy! 😍♥️

[@AnitaSouthall]

@@glenngodard2451 spammer alert

[@auntmayme8119]

I love my PVC mat! I loosen my blade so it lasts longer, I can slide my pieces off, fuzz doesn't get stuck in it, it doesn't off-gas, and a whole bunch of other things. I've had my mat for over 15 years. But I do use an Olfa cutter; I have about six!

[@nbc911]

Well done for this wonderful interview. Thank you 😊

[@debrastocks7051]

One of the best and most informative interviews I have seen.

[@delmariesnodgrass5038]

Wonderful interview thank you

[@vickiharris5441]

Thank you!! I really enjoyed this interview!!

[@diannewilson2710]

Great interview thanks Karen. 👌

[@MsChris23456]

Who knew? Now I can install my blades properly. I never knew if I installed the washer correctly. And now I know why I couldn't use my specialty blade it always wiggled. Thank you again for so much useful information Karen.

[@AnitaSouthall]

I didn't know special blades existed until I bought a purple ergonomic cutters. the included set of 7 blades came with a variety of shapes which I had no idea what to do with them, now the answers are in this interview 😀

[@mlt150]

LOVED this video containing usable information! Olfa is my go to for rotary cutters, mats blades, scissors and now I need to look into their rulers. Many. many thanks

[@carollatham926]

I loved this interview. So much information. Thanks

[@lavenderlaceladylavenderla5420]

I live in the Uk. Recently I lost the wave washer from my rotary cutter. For a few sessions of cutting I made do with a split washer as a replacement. Unfortunately this did not allow the cutter to rotate well. So I looked on the internet to find that Olfa have a base here, and a website. I took a look but could not find what I wanted so I contacted them. They did in fact stock the wave washer and I was able to purchase one. They are quite pricey, but as they are made of a very hard tungsten worth every penny especially as my cutter is now restored to tip top condition.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you for the info. I am sure many quilters are in the same boat.

[@AnitaSouthall]

This is what I love about the quilting community, we are all willing to share fixes for common problems 😀 👏

[@mariecolello4222]

Fascinating to keep on LEARNING!

[@SewRunKnit]

Interesting, I did not realize how widespread olfa use is. Thanks.

[@nkha23]

That too! An eraser is a surefire way to clean it. Especially batting.

[@rosejensen7855]

So thankful to hear I don't need to soak my mats!

[@kathleen.rogers1442]

Wow so much information!!! I’ll have to watch a few more times 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 thank you thank you thank you Karen, awesome 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@moirahewitt813]

Brilliant interview, really enjoyed it

[@tonistevens2253]

Wonderful! Great info. Thanks for this interview.

[@jacquiemcglothlen6572]

So informative, thank you…. Loved it

[@kimwingert8967]

Really good to know! So glad I watched this.

[@janiewilliams5803]

Karen, you do such good interviews! Very informative and enjoyable. Thank you!!

[@sandyp2485]

What an amazing amount of information about a tool we tend to take for granted. I remember when there were no rotary cutters and snipping away at pieces with scissors for a quilt was quite tedious plus accuracy was nearly one of the dark arts. This one tool has made it all incredibly easier and much faster.

[@julietrudgeon3433]

This is fascinating!!! Especially the wavy cutter for the bacon industry!!

[@calliecordoba532]

Love my Olfa products! They last a long time in my quilting. I have various size mats and rotary cutters and the pinking and scallop blade is great for garment sewing seams. One of my best finds is the Olfa serated scissors....WOW are they sharp. Great interview Karen. You amaze us all with the most interesting and varied interviews of talented knowledgable people in the industry. 👏

[@donnaloeven6773]

I really enjoyed your interview with Yvonne on olfa products. Going to check out the information on their site. I am especially interested in the use of the circle cutter. I bought it after see a quilt as you go denim cathedral window pattern. I saved old jeans to attempt it. Loving your videos! Thank you.

[@rhondaschellin8878]

💡💡💡💡💡 What a GREAT idea! I thoroughly enjoyed this interview! I never would have thought to interview someone from this industry and it is SOOOOOOOOO interesting!! I was astounded by the yardage the Olfa blades cut before they START to get dull! I always figured one was as good as another before. I also am SO with you about rulers! I have a yellow 12 1/2" square that I got when I was more beginnerish that I hate because the small cross marks are so fat that I'm guessing where I'm measuring. Am I in the middle of the fat mark? To the inside left? The right? And the yellowness makes it hard for me to see. It was half price at my small LQS and what I could afford. A new ruler is definitely in my future!🤣🤣🤣 One thing I absolutely did not know was Olfa was Japanese! GREAT INTERVIEW!!! 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@nancyguss6739]

Great interview

[@lusadler7110]

Good Info. I always lay out the pieces in order when I take my rotary cutter apart. However, I always somehow manage to reassemble it incorrectly. Now I know why. Those tricky little washers and nuts.

[@gisellejones1139]

really learned something...as usual😊

[@ConniePloch]

Thank you. Very informative!

[@marshasetering3143]

So interesting. Again, thank you!

[@brendafrye5875]

Great interview. Karen I look forward to your interviews or your videos in general.. They are so informative and well presented. I have learned so much from you. Just want to say that the best tip I have received from you is your binding tip of not ironing a fold in the binding before sewing on. My bindings have come out so much better with that tip. Again thank you and I look forward to your next video

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Excellent. It’s a small thing with big difference

[@AnitaSouthall]

so just cut your width and hand fold and sew? wow never thought about that choice

[@candydeister]

Yes! One step easily removed from the process! Keep the tips coming.

[@eduardachi2571]

i really enjoyed all the information please do more of these she was amazing thank you

[@shannonschwab3754]

I *so* enjoyed this episode. The ruler and mat discussion-good to know I've been using each correctly (whew)! I'm working on getting myself a space to work in that doesn't take up one of my common spaces in the house. Good information.

[@dollycrandall2373]

Thanks for doing this, I really learned things know about different blades.

[@connieverbeck1110]

Thank you Karen!! I so needed this! My blade wobbles. I’m to proud to ask members of my quilt group!! LOL

[@karenscribner7031]

Always ask quilters! Like when you move to a new area and need to know what is the most important thing to know!!

[@patriciahibbard7345]

love this, I am also a card maker and never considered using a rotary cutter for paper!

[@AnitaSouthall]

I was a picture framer and a sewer, never knew about rotary cutters for fabric until had school kids. Always used very sharp blades for mat cuts on a 45 degree angle. Plus used a guillotine style mat and blade contraption with measurements. Whole other life but it taught me skills I still use in quilting

[@tonijones7599]

Great interview!!! I love my Olfa rotary cutters, 18 mm, 45mm and 60mm!!! When I first started quilting 20 years I had never heard of a rotary cutter, such an odd tool, I thought, Now I wouldn't attempt any project without! And the cutting mats, the best, had to replace my large 70 inch mat last year when I place my iron on it by mistake, 😤, warped the mat, and do not place a wool ironing mat on top either, warped the other side of my big mat. I did not know Olfa made rulers, my LQS carries another "gridded" brand, definitely will look into them, as you said Karen multiple eye glasses are necessary when quilting as we age.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I am envious of your 70 inch mat 😉

[@tonijones7599]

@@JustGetitDoneQuilts The mat was unusable, it was really warped, but I still have it, maybe in the future someone will devise a method to un-warp the mat.

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

@@tonijones7599 Karen has a video on mats, and has a segment in there on how to *mostly* flatten out your cutting mat. Maybe it will help.

[@sandyratter1688]

Wow did I enjoy this and learn so much

[@patriciaferrito9245]

Totally agree with staying with a product family that works together well. I tried other brands of cutters and came back to Olfa. They are so dependable.

[@susanyearout1883]

I really enjoyed watching and listening to this interview. Have used Olfa stick rotary cutters ever since I began quilting in 1988. Love the tip about setting the parts out just as they were on the cutter. Don't know how many times I wasn't paying attention, especially with the nut.

[@rebeccaforbes8629]

Karen, I love this series. It is sooooo informational. I learn so much. Thank you for "getting it done."

[@sandrafulton4351]

best one yet

[@cathj8568]

This was so interesting! Thank you for this video

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AnitaSouthall]

Perfect timing for this topic as I now own 4 different size cutting mats and an array of rulers, which are like treats instead of buying cake! 😀 The cutters though answered a bunch of questions I've had. Now I know why my largest mat is thicker. Why my daisy shaped blade didn't ✂️ 💇‍♀️ ✂️ properly because of how it was installed. Wonderful interview that I will be sharing with my sewing students and quilt friends

[@peggieincolfaxca3818]

bowl side facing up! I have been using rotary cutter since they were invented ! and never was sure about reassembling after chuanging blades! Thank you!

[@julietrudgeon3433]

I can't thank you enough for having this lovely lady on your channel!! I have learned so much! I'm going to check out scrappy quilts. Sounds like it's been what I've been looking for. I'll check out your videos!!!

[@AnitaSouthall]

I love scrappy style and think that's my happy place but I do aspire to fancy patterns as well.

[@verabater7431]

Another great interview Karen! When I first started thinking about quilting

[@verabater7431]

When I first started thinking about quilting a friend said "You get what you pay for" and strongly recommended Olfa products. I'm so glad I took her advice. They are still my most favorite products

[@annatatistcheff4917]

I love the black belt analogy. I grew up quilting without patterns and doing silly scrappy quilts based off discount fabrics from Joann's. But my last two quilts have been based off of patterns, and I just learned what an HRT is! Love continuing to learn through your videos :)

[@MKCraftsandFamily]

That was a great interview! Thanks for sharing her!

[@katesterling8915]

Who knew!! Such an interesting interview ☺️

[@melisahorsley2061]

Great Interview. Lots of learning 🥰

[@susanbaker8023]

Thanks Karen, this interview was so informative. This is my favorite so far. I didn't realize all that is available .

[@distaff2935]

I really like these "tool" interviews. I have my mother's rotaries, from back in the "80's, maybe. Not a big rotary cutter user, myself. I mostly use scissors. I do however, use the acrylic rulers and cutting mats. I get the most precise results when using the mat for measuring - they perfectly match the rulers.

[@susanmei9980]

Very helpful. TY.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad you liked it

[@mollysmith7191]

Really enjoyed this interview! The instructions about changing the blade in rotary cutters helped me - wrote them down & will put by my new blades. The information about other uses of rotary blades - who knew! Very informative. Thanks Karen, for your presentation. Your interviews are always educational:).

[@gailgaddy5340]

Wow, great info. Good interview.

[@jos9569]

I just received a 90 degree Grace rotary cutter. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but so far I prefer my Kai to my Olfas.

[@polyesterbebe]

Thank you, Karen, for another amazing interview!

[@padfoot3]

This was such a great interview! So much helpful info!

[@sharonbeck8209]

Super fantastic interview! Thank you Karen for another great educational video. I always am learning from you.

[@kathygraham8103]

Learned a lot from this

[@lynngallegos2727]

Great Segment. I have learned a lot about cutters and mats. Thanks to both of you. I did make grooves in my 24 x 36 olfa mat so bought a new one and the old one I save for paper crafting etc. Now I know how to utilize my pinking blade that really works. Thanks again for the information.

[@traci7375]

great info! thank you both!!

[@marywilson5276]

Awesome interview. Thanks

[@shellyboyle9407]

What a cool interview! I learned so much!!! I only use Olfa cutters! They are amazing!!!

[@laurachase3128]

Great info on mats and how to take care of them.

[@vicki3918]

So enjoyed this interview! Informative and encouraging ‼️. Thank you Karen. and encouragement