Today I decided to cut up some of the
fabrics I bought last week for my
zig zag quilt. I was pushing pretty hard with my cutter and not getting great results. In fact it was just a miserable experience. Then I said to myself, "Joanna, why don't you just change your blade?" So I did and as usually happens when I change it, I wondered why I didn't do it weeks sooner! It cut through 6 layers like butter with hardly any pressure. Could someone just remind me in a few weeks to do it again?! I then cut and sewed more zig zags...
This is my rotary cutter of choice...
I have tried many different types and brands but this is my favorite. I think it's the handle. I like that the blade gets covered when you let go of the handle, without doing anything else. Of course, it works a whole lot better when you only put one blade on it instead of two. What? You really think that after 18 years of quilting I would do that? I'll never admit to it, but let me just tell you that when you find inexplicable skinny strips of fabric coming off your cuts with every swipe of your cutter, you might want to check that there's only one blade installed on it and that there aren't two stuck together. I'm just sayin'!
This is my rotary cutter of choice...
I have tried many different types and brands but this is my favorite. I think it's the handle. I like that the blade gets covered when you let go of the handle, without doing anything else. Of course, it works a whole lot better when you only put one blade on it instead of two. What? You really think that after 18 years of quilting I would do that? I'll never admit to it, but let me just tell you that when you find inexplicable skinny strips of fabric coming off your cuts with every swipe of your cutter, you might want to check that there's only one blade installed on it and that there aren't two stuck together. I'm just sayin'!
Been there with the dull blade. the double blade sounds like I can see that happening at my house.
ReplyDeleteYep, a new blade is heaven!! I have also discovered that if you unscrew the blade assembly but leave everything still inside and just blow it out every now and then, it is also like having a new blade in there! I found this out recently as I was cutting fabric which had not been prewashed and the day after I had installed the new blade, it was back to how it had been prior to the new blade. It then hit me that there would be much more lint and fluff with unwashed fabric so now I remember to "de-fluff" it occasionally.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya,, the other day I was cutting and had a pair of scissors laying at the end of my mat,well ..I nicked my blade on the scissors... I tried to use my sharpener thingy.. not a good idea with a nick.. I will try to remind ya to change your blade.
ReplyDeleteYes, been there done that too. Couldn't figure out, why I suddenly had all these little pieces of fabric and threads on my cutting table. I think a new blade has a bit of oil on it to prevent it from getting rusty and that makes the blades stick together. I'm taking more care now, when I change them. Well, we have never finished learning something new, right?
ReplyDeleteA new blade is just the best. We always seem to change it after we have suffered for what seems like for ever.
ReplyDeleteDouble blades - I can see that happening. Next time that happens, grab one of your yummy banana cakes and a cup of tea...
Elzaan
I've done the double blade thing! I couldn't figure out why I was getting a little scrap of fabric each time I cut cuz I was sure I had just replaced the blade, or in my case, the blades!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's just funny!!! I have not done that yet but if i do i will think of you.
ReplyDeleteI have done the same thing. I don't know why I press down when I cut as if I am cutting through a wooden board instead of fabric. But I do. And then when the blade starts getting dull, like you, it just doesn't click that I need to change the blade.
ReplyDelete