Quilting Essentials: Rotary Cutters And Scissors
In this piece Id like to cover some essentials about quilting, most particularly about the cutting tools youll need to start with your patchwork quilt.
Scissors
Scissors are the “meat and three veg” for nearly any craft, so you’ll need to have a good pair since be using them over and over. Make sure that theyre cosy to use, that they fit your hand comfortably and do not rub on your knuckles.
Large or small? If you are cutting little complex pieces of fabric I recommend short pointy scissors. This will give you better accuracy with your cutting. Conversely if you’re cutting larger pieces of fabric you must pick the larger blade scissors (say 7″- 8″).
Carbon or Chrome steel? The choice here is more of a preference than a which one is better choice. Carbon blades have a tendency to be costlier and hold their sharpened edge for longer, but they also include a higher ticket. Stainless steel on the other hand has a tendency to be a lot cheaper but may need to be sharpened on a more common basis.
Rotary Cutters
Rotary cutters are still comparatively new to the quilting world but theyve been warmly welcomed. Theyre simple to use and allow for a much quicker alternative choice to scissors for getting a superbly strait edge. Here are a few pointers to picking the right rotary cutter for you.
Safety latches: Ensure your cutter has a strong security catch and is easy to use. Hold the cutter in your hand and flick the security catch on and off 20 times. This can give you a good sense of what it’s going to be like to use it for hours at a time. If its cumbersome, look for one thats more ergonomic.
Blades: Bigger blades have a tendency to be better for cutting large amounts of fabric, and small blades are better for round shaped edges. You many to buy one of each as youll be reaching for the bigger one more frequently, but the little one will make those tricky jobs far easier.
Handles: Finally, the handle is what makes all the difference. It must be snug, sit in your hand nicely and be simple to grip strongly. The very last thing you want is for your hand slip forward and onto the blade. If it is hard to grip or it is not comfy to use, keep looking.
To get more tips about how to make a patchwork quilt, go to Jane Green’s patchwork quilt blog right now!