How to Use a Rotary Cutter: Two Ways to Cut - FREE Beginner Quilting Videos and Pattern - NO MUSIC

Make sure to download the FREE pattern to go with this class and get a 20% OFF coupon in your email you can use on all your supplies. Click here to get the FREE pattern and coupon: shop.quiltaddi...
In quilting, accuracy matters. A quilt is basically a giant geometric puzzle. But thankfully that math is pretty easy, and someone else has done it for you.
But there are three skills you need to get down in order for your quilts to turn out right: cutting, sewing a quarter-inch seam and pressing.
Here's the deal, all quilting pieces are cut so that when you sew a quarter-inch seam, the pieces end up the perfect size to fit together to form the design. In some quilts you really need to be right on or it is going to be a hot mess. In others there is some wiggle room.
Don't worry, the pattern we are using in this series is one that has plenty of wiggle room.
But cutting pieces to be the exact size indicated in the pattern is the first step in creating quilt that is going to go together easily and look fabulous in the end, and I show you two ways to do it in today's video.
I will show you how to use a rotary cutter (the thing that looked like a pizza cutter from Video 1), a 6" x 24" quilting ruler and a cutting mat. You may also want to use a 6 1/2" ruler, but that is optional for this project. I show you how to cut using the lines on the ruler and how to cut using the lines on the mat to measure your pieces.
I've got lots of tips on how to keep the ruler from slipping, how much pressure you need to put on the rotary cutter and how to speed everything up once you get the hang of cutting with a rotary cutter.
In quilting there usually are a couple of right ways to do anything. So I encourage you to try both ways and see which way works best for you. Then keep doing it that way.
Get your FREE pattern and 20% OFF Coupon: shop.quiltaddi...
Get a quilt kit for this pattern: shop.quiltaddi...
Check out more from Quilt Addicts Anonymous ...
Blog/tutorials: www.quiltaddic...
Online quilt shop: shop.quiltaddi...
Brick and mortar quilt shop: Quilt Addicts Anonymous, 3416 46th Ave., Suite 103, Rock Island, IL 61201
Facebook: / quiltaddictsanonymous
Instagram: / quiltaddictsanonymous
Pinterest: / quiltaablog
Music: Be Happy from from Audio Jungle

[@Real_g.s.]

I've been a quilter for 35 years. Made my first one for my first baby, who is now 35, and fell in love with quilting (and my daughter, of course, who I still make quilts for). Your tips are so helpful! And thank you for not adding that crappy KZbin music :-) P.S. I just subbed to your channel!

[@armeyf]

I'm a newby. Have my pattern chosen and collecting my fabric. I love watching your videos!

[@williejoereynolds2637]

So glad I found this channel

[@ssumner9757]

I've been quilting for about 3 yrs, but after watching this series of tutorials, I have still learned some great tips! Thank you!😊

[@DoloresGeyer]

Great video-so many good tips for the newcomers!

[@kathleenweeks2731]

Very good tutorial. Thank you

[@momgrandma5496]

Great tips, especially where and how to place your hand while cutting.

[@joyglass7143]

Your video is well done and I learned alot. Looking forward to the next one.

[@karenpresley7101]

Thank you. I've been having a little trouble with my rule shifting a bit. 😊

[@barbarakempen2482]

Very helpful!

[@drhelenloney1426]

I really wish I'd been less gung-ho when I was cutting my last quilt, I was trying to cut too many layers at once, and quality suffered. I definitely made my life harder by trying to be faster at the start. excellent tutorial.

[@hollywaddell6727]

Your instruction please on where to place the ruler (side that will be cut against) on the cutting mat in relation to the lines on the cutting mat. I am always second-guessing myself. Should completely COVER THE CUTTING MAT LINES with the edge of the ruler or do I just barely butt the edge of the ruler JUST TO THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE MARKED LINE on the cutting mat? This seems immaterial, but it actually amounts to a couple thread-widths of difference. I know on a simple pattern like the split nine patch it won't matter, as long as I am consistent in my ruler/cutting placement because all the components are straight rectangles. But as I get to more advanced patterns, especially with triangles, I fear it can make a big difference across the whole finished quilt top. So I'm asking for future reference as long as you are on the topic of cutting.

[@carlareep37]

Mine has a safety shield & lock i still don't know how to use any suggestions ty in advance 😮😮😮 2:49 suggestions suggestions

[@joyceengel9844]

Do you press your fabric before cutting?

[@dancinginabundance]

I've been told to always iron first and I believe it makes a difference

[@karin0963]

It doesn't look like she pressed the fabric, which seems wrong to me.

[@marylamm4254]

Why didn't you iron it first?

[@QuiltAddictsAnonymous]

Great question! When the fabric is fresh off the bolt, pressing isn't as necessary as there are few, if any, folds or creases that would affect the cutting accuracy. It certainly never hurts, but there are times when you can get away with skipping the step.