I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for cutting fabicric, mostly for quilting. I tried a cordless electric rotary cutter but I could not keep a steady line. A basic rotary tool takes so long and I am still unsteady with that, sad as I am only 30 years old. I have been researching die and cut machines like the Sizzix and Accuquilt (cost WAY to much!). I love the idea, but it seems like it would take just as long because the fabric would need to be cut down to fit in the machine and only one shape could be cut at a time. I thought that a side cutter that can be attched to the sewing machine would work maybe? I am asking because not a single person in my family or a single one of my friends sews...so I need some help! Any suggestions??????
quilting takes time to do it right. Cutting your pieces is a precise and accurate job that needs to be carefully done. If the correct time and accuracy is not taken to cut the fabric for your patterns and blocks then you may want to check into making a Crazy Quilt. Otherwise you are going to be so disappointed in the end product. You can do strip piecing and just do lines of fabric but again they would need to be straight to look right. One tiny 1/8 inch error can turn out to be a very large error by the time you get to the end of your quilt and the blocks won't be the same size and you will have a crooked quilt.
Don't give up on rotary cutting. You can be very precise. I find it very fast. I suggest taking a class in rotary cutting 101 at a quilt store, or get an experienced quilter to guide you through proper techniques. You also need a variety of ruler sizes that won't slip off the fabric, and I have several sizes of rotary cutters. Don't buy cheap - buy the best mats, rulers & rotary cutters when on sale at JoAnns - or use your coupons. Good luck.
Have you tried a really good pair of sissors? That's the only way I can cut fabric straight and precise. It may take a little longer, but all the aspects of quilting take time if you want to do it right. I have tried and failed too many times to count, but practice make perfect. So, just try the sissors, that's the way they did it when our great grandma's were making quilts and I find it the easiest. Just make sure the shears are SHARP and only used for cutting fabric.
I used scissors for years for all my sewing, my husband bought me my first rotary cutter when we where getting ready to go overseas and that is all I use anymore. It did take me a while to get used to it and a good ruler is very important. Don't try to reach too far across the fabric and practice. I have two rullers that I use all the time, one has a lip that hooks on the end of the mat and stays where I need it, the other is from my glass studio and has cork along the back. I did make one for myself, just a metal ruler that I glued a strip of thin cork too, but my daughter "borrowed it" and I just took the extra from my studio. The cork stops the ruler slipping. Good luck, Jo
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