rotary cutting

Hello! I'm looking for any tips and tricks for successful rotary cutting. I have a mat, an acrylic ruler, and an Olfa 60mm cutter. The problem (other than my total lack of skill) seems to be that everything slides around: fabric, ruler, and mat (though mat not so much) and I have a hard time not veering off to the right at the end of a cut. I'm on the verge of only quilting with charm squares if I can't get this under control!

Many thanks in advance


http://www.thebitchystitcher.blogspot.com

Have you tried using weights?  Canned goods out of your panty work, or you can make little weights out of remnants and filling them with sand.  You can buy the sand in craft stores.

Frankly I hate using rotary cutters for the reasons you state and then some.  I prefer scissors when cutting patterns and tearing to size whenever I can.

Different strokes for different folks because quilters swear by them. 

Small pieces of tape(masking) on the underside of the fabric will help it from sliding and won't hurt the mat.

What brand ruler are you using? I prefer to use the Omni - Grid rulers. They seem to hold the fabric in place better than the original one I purchased. I have also seen a device that looks like a telephone that you stick onto your ruler. It helps to disperse your pressure when pressing down on the fabric.

Link for a 'super grip handle':  http://www.keepsakequilting.com/productdetail/9272.htm

I bought "Invisigrip" to put on the underside of my rulers and templates. It prevents them from sliding round and it clear so that it does not obscure my view through the ruler.

Perhaps you could also cut small circles of sand paper or velcro and glue them to the corners of your ruler? This wouldn't work if you were working with fine garment fabrics or sweaterknits which might snag.

If your mat is sliding around on your counter surface, set it atop that rubberized shelf liner.

charity

I've already ordered some Invisi-grip, and I'm seriously thinking about that phone/handle thingy! Anything has got to help, because my stuff just ends up completely wonky. I managed to make a 4-patch quilt top by fudging my errors, but now I'm trying a disappearing 9 patch, and I don't have as much room to goof.

The other ideas are good - I am a HUGE fan of the invisigrip!

Also, just in case you aren't already doing it... your ruler needs some depth to sink into. The cutter needs depth to bite into.    It's actually easier to cut four layers than one or two, because your ruler and cutter are more secure. I like cutting through 6-8 layers at a time, because they don't shift.

I don't know the product name off the top of my head but there are these little felt circles that stick to the corners of rules and templates.  I got a pack of them for a couple of dollars and they come with maybe 50 of these circles?  That seems to have done the trick for me.  Ruler doesn't slide around when it sits on the mat or on fabrics and it doesn't do much to obscure the view.  If you do use these stickys just remember to give your ruler a good cleaning with alcohol so that they stick on best.  Good luck!

rhymes with spoon
http://flanthrower.blogspot.com

I love rotary cutting, but it does take practice!  You might just dedicate some waste fabric to getting used to cutting this way.  I find that it helps to really put your weight into holding the cutting guide down on the fabric.  And if you're cutting a longer length, put your weight more at the beginning of the cut and then stop and reposition your hand closer to the end when you've cut through the first half.

I've started using the Invisi-grip and it is as awesome as promised. I've also put a bit of masking tape under my mat and have been working on my spider-crawl up the ruler as I cut.  But I find that If I try to fold my fabric and "square it up" before cutting strips, I get V-shaped strips. I've tried and tried to do this carefully, but its just not working well. Everything else is improving, though!

The issue where you veer off to the right is because you're losing your balance--well more like the pivot of your arm and reach are too extended.  Here's a few tips that will get you cutting smoothly (and straight!):

1.  Start with smaller fabrics or smaller ruler.  That will keep you from over extending and veering to the right.
2.  Just as Elaine mentioned earlier--reshift your weight so you are always (somewhat) directly over  where you are cutting. 
3.  Start with the 45mm rotary blade.  It's large enough so you can see how you are butting the blade up against the side of the ruler and focus on keeping it right up against the ruler.  Don't lose sight of it and don't give up until you're at the very end of your fabric.

and finally... 4. Stick with non-stretchy and non-slippery fabric--at least for now.  Any type of knit, silk, polyester, etc. will frustrate you to no end because it will slip and slide. 

With these tips and the ones posted before, you'll really see what we LOVE about it--you'll love it too. Good luck!

I put some tiny dots of fabric puff paint on the underside of my ruler!

The tiny dots work sort of like the dots on the bottoms of slipper socks.
THey grip the fabric and keep it the ruler from shifting as I cut!

Joy