Heres that hidden cost I alluded to in the price section. All images, text, and other content copyright Elizabeth Farr. Im making my first quilt, and its a bit of a disaster, most likely due to cutting issues. I use both scissors (in both right and left-handed variations) and rotary cutters. Youll probably conclude that both is the option, or will you? 
Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. My old cutter was a really simple model and was prone to wobbling as I cut. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I have noticed that the pinking blades seem to get duller a little quicker than my pinking shears. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. She also created a line of refashioned garments for SEWN Denver. Its just so easy and you will never turn back once you experienced the rotary cutter in action. In addition, you will have clean accurate edges that are essential for professional results on sewing and quilting projects. The most common rotary cutter blade sizes are 28mm, 45mm, and 60mm. Eventually, your once sharp rotary blade is going to wear down and need sharpening. In: Quilting, Resources. Replacing blades will depend on how much youre cutting or what you are cutting. If possible go into a craft or haberdashery shop and hold a few different styles to see what feels comfortable in your hand. 
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Price comparion of rotary cutter vs. scissors maintenance. I personally love that I dont have to open and close my hand repetitively with a rotary cutter. Consider how much cutting you are planning on doing and whether you want something ergonomic or just simple. ), Refashioning and Upcycling Sewing Projects. This is a fun comparison.
Ultimately, the best rotary cutter is the one that feels best in your hand. The one real downside to using rotary cutters is the need for a rotary cutter AND mat. A tiny mat for garment sewing will be a mega pain.
Different brands tend to have different safety features and there are generally many different handles available within each brand. Some scissors are easier to use than others too. Your email address will not be published. The rotary cutter, with its razor-sharp blade, cuts through multiple layers of fabric and ensures that several layers or pieces of fabric are cut with precision. Theyre difficult to use without hurting yourself and I dont think they do a good job extending the life of a blade. Think about what the cutter will do for you and the amount of use you will get from this handy tool. If you cut a lot of straight lines, a rotary cutter is your literal best friend. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is the easiest seam finish ever and perfect for lightweight fabrics. When learning how to use a rotary cutter, you will also need: The rotary cutter makes cutting fabric so much faster, easier and more accurate. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This wonderfully simple tool is the answer to effective clearcut pattern cutting and crafting. In that case, Ill say scissors win this mini-battle. I love making bias tape with a rotary cutter. Thats one of my biggest points in my scissors review post that I tried to get across. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. The rotary cutter is the best option for the quilter or sewer who is planning on cutting multiple pieces of fabric in different sizes and shapes. Out of the package, rotary cutters will win on price, but what about maintenance? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". What more could be asked of a cutting tool? Its just so easy and you will never turn back once you experienced the rotary cutter in action. Depending on what you are sewing regularly, you may even need more than one sized cutter. It feels really comfortable in my hand and steady when I cut. From my own tests, this is what I would recommend.
You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Thats cool Laura. Don't forget to match the blade size to your rotary cutter. If you had to pick sewing tools thatll up your game the most, these are it. Give me a shout out if youve ever tried the DIY hack of trying to sharpen your blade by cutting through layers of foil. Which are easier to use: rotary cutters or scissors? Here are 3 ways you can sharpen a blunt blade: If sharpening your blades doesn't appeal to you, then you can purchase new replacement blades quite cheaply. You can also try something like a Puzzle Mat which has interlocking edges. On the other hand, the angle it requires to cut with a rotary cutter can be uncomfortable for people. With a good pair of shears, all you need extra is maybe a scrap of fabric or ribbon to tie around the handles. Plain, simple and clear cut a rotary cutter! Its another tale to remind us that sometimes things come down to personal preference rather than clear cut winners. Even though rotary cutters for sewing are generally cheap, mats can be an investment. The generic blades have always worked well for me. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It can drastically increase the useful life of your blade. Decisions of what brand to choose when learning how to use a rotary cutter are not necessarily as clear cut because there are several brands available and shapes and sizes too. To be honest, I think the blades are pretty similar and you can swap the blades in one for another. All rights reserved. elizabethmadethis.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising revenues by advertising and linking toSome of the links below are affiliate links. Some quality brand names to look out for are: OLFA, FISKARS, GINGHER(US Amazon links). Scissors will always be a slower tool to use for this reason. She has written sewing Eguides and patterns, been a featured teacher at Rebecca Pages Sewing Summit and Jennifer Makers Holiday Maker Fest and her work has appeared in Seamwork and Altered Couture magazines. What I liked about this Olfa is the retractable handle. Ok technically, a pair of scissors + a mat is going to help increase your cutting accuracy too. Old school no fail methods for marking fabric + great marking tools for all fabrics. One of the other advantages of a rotary cutter over scissors is that there is no real difference in design for left or right-handed cutters. You can check out the best sewing scissors for you for my personal recommendations and reviews of 4 popular sewing shears. A rotary cutter is a fabric and craft cutting tool with a very sharp round blade set into a handle device. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I like this folding mat from Omnigrid. I own a 28mm Fiskars rotary cutter with this design and its quite comfortable to use. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Scissors need to be sharpened, and rotary blades need to be changed when they get dull. Gotta protect our best tool from overuse injuries! Lets sew something creative together!
It does not store any personal data. What hasnt worked well for me are the rotary blade sharpeners. A pack of 10 generic rotary blades is about $11. As a general rule, the smaller blade does curves and corners nicely and the larger blade obviously handles a greater quantity of fabric at a time. On a side note, this long-necked lady also loves her Wolf Secundo shoulder rest, but you may have lost a lot of people there, haha! Always make sure you remove the old blade carefully so you don't cut yourself. What you will notice with scissors, especially if you keep them wicked sharp is how well they cut curves. This isnt really a problem with scissors, but you really do run the risk of cutting yourself with rotary cutters. And as my sewing skills grew, Id consider a large mat and a good rotary cutter. The rotary cutter ensures sharp, definite and obvious cutting lines and that is the essence of clear cut. This tutorial will show you how to use a rotary cutter - a tool that has revolutionized the sewing and craft world. Rotary cutters have a harder time rolling along a curve accurately. A 60mm blade will cut larger projects and will go through more layers at once. How often should I replace rotary cutter blades? You got to have that mat so that you dont end up shredding everything you own. Thanks for the article! Ah, but rotary cutters need a mat to go with them. I like the rotary blades for curves and shears in general, and heavier weight fabrics, Im always reaching for my shears. Pinking shears are those cool scissors that cut little triangles out of your fabric. It tends to be used more for larger quilting projects rather than sewing clothing. 3 easy ways to make bias tape yourself because custom is way more interesting! Initially a rotary cutter will be cheaper. Your email address will not be published. It is not expensive or difficult to have rotary blades professionally sharpened. Think of them like rotary mat Legos. Elizabeth Made This is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Rotary cutter vs. scissors: a friendly sewing tool fight.
Rotary cutters just fail on tiny things like this. Which is a better price: rotary cutter or scissors? A set of scissors can do everything you need! It is really a step up in the cutting world and once you have traveled the rotary cutter path you wont look back. One type fits all! How to make tab top curtains for a cozy DIY casual look, How to make a tiered dress for any season, How to make an ironing board cover (free pattern), Summer cute: how to make a flutter sleeve t-shirt, Is a sewing subscription box right for you (Save time! Some are just clunky to use and so tiring on hands. A good quality pair of shears on the other hand will run you from just under $16 for these lightweight Gingher trimmers to just over $65 for these specialized serrated Kai 7250 shears. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Its a good nod to the fact that were all built uniquely. As such, all that repetitive motion can build up in your hands and cause pain. Dominant hand should also be a consideration. That being said, if youre a quilter, a little small mat + a rotary cutter is totally packable. If you mostly sew quilts, a little mat is probably going to suit all your needs. As for getting your shears sharpened, thats something you should do a few times a year. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Butt them up against each other, and its almost as nice as a full sized mat. Cut away from yourself when you use a rotary cutter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 Treasurie. If you are cutting regularly, however, it will be more cost effective in the long run to purchase a sharpener. If youre comparing which tool you can grab and get to work with straight out of the box, scissors win hands down. Rotary cutters vs. scissors: Who wins out of the box? Its a bit like slicing pizza as you put a bit of pressure on the rotary blade and push down to slice up your pieces of fabric. DIY sharpening devices produce inconsistent results, usually cannot remove nicks in the blade, prematurely wear out the blade, and tend to break or wear out before becoming cost effective. If you are using a rotary cutter dont you need a large cutting mat?
As you do this, the fabric can shift annoyingly. I learned to cut right handed because at the time left-handed scissors were hard to find and expensive. Do not use any content from this site without permission and consent.
If I go to a sew-in or a sewing retreat, I will take already cut out projects. In a gold medal fight of rotary cutter vs. scissors, really everyone is a winner. The fine rotary cutting makers have thought about this too. Bigger blades will cut faster, so thats something to keep in mind too. Theres a 24x36, and from there you can add additional 12x12 sections to expand the size of the mat. Wouldnt it mark the table? Rotary cutter safety: use your blade guard! Im a wife and mama to 4, sewing nerd and refashionista with a passion for DIY. Are scissors or a rotary cutter better for traveling? Now that how to use a rotary cutter has been answered, you should have a clear cut idea on the way forward in your quest for the best rotary cutter for you. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Youll have to keep sliding the mat under your fabric as you cut. A cheap cardboard mat like this Dritz Kraft Board will serve you for years. By continuing to use this website, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. With a rotary cutter, youll always get clean, ultra straight lines. Pinked Seams - The Easiest Finishing Technique, Pressing Tools for Sewing - Essentials & Luxuries. When her sewing machine isnt humming, shes playing and teaching violin, and hanging around a good strategic board game with her husband and 4 kids. Scissors will be better for curves and fine detail cuts that you need to make. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The first thing you will need is a rotary cutter. Theyre a great simple way to quickly finish seam allowances. Mild carpel tunnel definitely has an affect too. All of my rotary cutters can easily be assembled with the blade set for left-handed cutting. Your email address will not be published. Two blades stuck together!!! Try and use the correct blade for the project to avoid accidents and to get the best results. Ive paid anywhere from $8-10 to get my scissors sharpened professionally. Once you have made an informed decision and have chosen your cutter then it is always a good idea to practice as you learn how to use a rotary cutter. The most commonly used sizes are 45mm and 60mm. Do not feel a lick bad if you have to take back a cutter because it hurts your hand. If youre finding you have to bear down a lot on a rotary cutter to cut through properly or find that its skipping on the fabric, not cutting some areas, its time for a blade change. What Size Rotary Cutter Do I Nneed? 45mm vs 60mm, How to Use a Rotary Cutter - Other Supplies, How to Use a Rotary Cutter - Instructions, How to Use a Rotary Cutter - In Conclusion. Learn how to use a rotary cutter to get the best outcome from the tool. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Always put your blade guard up when youre not using your rotary cutter. I regularly use them both and I would recommend to anyone to do the same. I love to share the tips and tutorials that I wish I had when I first started to stitch. Im left-handed. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is a real thing. Whats right for my hands might not be it for yours. Thats eliminates the need for having to pack a big cutting mat. It is designed for both sewing and quilting projects that are small to medium in size. If you want to go name brand and stick with Olfa blades, 1 Olfa replacement blade will cost you just under $7. A good quality rotary cutter like this Olfa rotary cutter one will set you back about $12.
Your email address will not be published. For rotary cutting, Id suggest investing in a cutting mat that is as large as your cutting table. I personally own and love my Olfa rotary cutters. Another thing you might be wondering with rotary cutters is, whats the best rotary cutter brand? Personally, I don't go through enough blades to justify a sharpener so just buy replacements instead. And should i use a smaller rotary cutter for smaller cuts, or does it matter? Change your rotary blades as needed when they become dull. You saved me heaps! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Like badly. More on why its not quite that simple in a little bit. What, why, and how. How to Clean a Sewing Machine: A Step By Step Guide.
I didnt know that about rotary cutters! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
When it is blunt, you will find that the blade will tear the fabric and struggle to cut through several layers at once. best on sequins, but dont use your best pair. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This cutting mat from Sullivans measures 40x72 which is big enough for most garment sewing projects. Thats not a bad thing if youre looking for precision, but it is something to keep in mind. Yes, problem number 4!!! They come in a variety of styles, handle shapes and sizes. Hey there, I'm Hailey and I love all things stitching. That way your family doesnt reach for them when its time to fix a garden hose. Great article! The adjustable angle reminds me of my favorite Wolf violin shoulder rest. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Check out my tutorial below with photos below. That being said, Id happily switch out a blade and gain the speed of a pinking rotary cutter here. Required fields are marked *. So a lot of it is personal preference and whats comfortable for you. The blade rotates and enables you to cut faster and more effectively. Sharp tools are safe ones as theyre less likely to slip. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Your email address will not be published. My ergo rotary cutter is the one I pick first, but if I have to use scissors I will.
Ive used both generic blades and brand name blades, and to my mind, they cut about the same. Probably when you remember about it. When it comes to rotary cutter vs. scissors, I think it comes down to whats more comfortable for you. Put rotary cutters not in use off your table away from small hands when not in use. Blade sizes range from 18mm, 28mm, 45mm, and 60mms and all come with a safety lock so the blade is not exposed. There are pinking edges on some cutters and even scalloped edges if you want to be adventurous. I purchased a new cutter last week as I'm planning on some quilting tutorials for you and chose the Olfa Deluxe 45mm. But when it comes to sharpening rotary blades, there are no options better than having them sharpened professionally. I know Kai makes some true left handed shears, but they do seem to be more expensive (the 7250s are $80 vs. $70 for right-handed). Its so nice to be able to cut as youre measuring with a good ruler. The cutting mat and the correct ruler just make the whole process of cutting accurate shapes so much easier. Now there are ergonomic rotary cutters like this one from Fiskars. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read how to sew faux fur sans fluff for the real winner thats better than scissors or a rotary cutter. Ah, but theres also pinking blades for rotary cutters available. Our cutting tools are the ones we probably use the most in the sewing room other than our machines. If youre not sure if using a rotary cutter is going to be a regular part of your sewing, buy several smaller mats when you can get a deal. The 45mm blade is the most common size you will find. Because a pack of 10 rotary blades will likely last you longer than the time that it takes for your shears to need a sharpening, rotary cutters almost win the price battle. Thank you for the info.,didnt know what to do, Your email address will not be published. Ideally, you should also match the brand of your replacement blade to your cutter. Carboard mat + nice shears = good sewing fun for a crazy long time. True left-hand scissors can still be difficult to find. It navigates curves much more cleanly than other rotary cutters I own.
How big of blades do I need for my rotary cutter? They come in different sizes and brands to suit different holders. Most of the time you'll find me quilting and cross stitching, but every now and then I'll grab a crochet or knitting project from my closet of WIPS (We all have one of those, right?). I mainly cut smaller projects and just a couple of layers at a time so the 45mm size worked best for my requirements. I always keep my scissors handy when I need to cut notches. I just couldnt figure out why my rotary cutter didnt cut properly after I charged the blade.
Here is some information to help you choose. * Scissors win the faux fur test only if you cut through the backing only. If you sew ever outside of your home, its good to pack as light as you can. For scissors, you need to measure out items like bias tape or neckbands first with chalk. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Then you cut. Okay, so the big question is who would win the actual cutting test. If pinking seam allowances is a seam finish that you like, try them out. You can use scissors on your best table but could you do that with a rotary cutter?
I love magnetic knife racks for this purpose. Thank you! Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The curved handle with a cutout for your hand on this Fiskars rotary cutter is quite comfortable. Well talk about how rotary cutter vs. scissors fare in categories about price, cutting, ease of use, speed, and types of fabrics. *. Consider it a way to mark your scissors FOR FABRIC ONLY. In general, the smaller the blade, the more control youre going to have. Some fabrics like fleece are pretty rough on blades. Thank you so much!! 4 tips To stay safe when you use a rotary cutter. I almost tossed out the cutter for scissors, but I keep hearing this isnt the best alternative. In addition, learning how to use a rotary cutter makes cutting patterns and shapes quicker and easier.
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