15 Tips for cutting fabric with a rotary cutter

Using a rotary cutter and ruler is not difficult, but these fifteen tips will make your life even easier.

When rotary cutters were first introduced to the quilting world, they were revolutionary. Suddenly it was easy to cut large numbers of shapes quickly and accurately. This led to the introduction of strip piecing and efficient construction techniques.

These fifteen tips will help you be even more accurate when using a rotary cutter and ruler.

1.Press the fabric

This seems obvious, but it is tempting to skip pressing when you’re in a hurry. Don’t do it! Speaking from experience, you will regret it.

Always take the time to press your fabric and make sure it is smooth and flat before you cut it.

2. Cut with the grain

The warp and weft grainlines are perpendicular in the fabric. Always cut along one of these lines (unless it’s on purpose like cutting triangles).

Paying attention to the grain and cutting accordingly will help your pieces stay straight and your project go together more easily.

3. Use the largest mat you can

It is possible to cut on smaller cutting mats, but it is easier to be more accurate on a larger mat. Use the largest one that you can afford and that you can store flat.

Cutting mats that are stored leaning on things will bend and warp.

4. Align the ruler with the fold of the fabric

Usually, you will have the fabric folded in half to cut strips. If you have a small mat, you will have to fold it twice.

When you are laying the ruler to cut a strip, align the ruler with the fold of the fabric, not the selvedge. In a perfect world, the grain of the fabric is perfectly straight and the selvedge and fold are parallel, but sometimes they are not.

Aligning the ruler with the fold of the fabric will give you a straight strip. 

5. Use one ruler per project

As much as possible, use the same ruler for the entire project. There are tiny differences between rulers, and switching back and forth might give you pieces that are different sizes.

6. Use the lines on the ruler, not the mat

When measuring fabric, use the lines on your ruler. There are probably tiny (or not tiny) differences between your mat and your ruler so just use one to measure.

Using the ruler rather than the mat to measure also means that you can orient your fabric on the mat in any angle.

Varying where you cut on the mat will reduce cuts and grooves in your mat and help it last longer.

7. Become familiar with your ruler

If you use the same ruler over and over, you will become very familiar with it and cutting will get easier. You won’t have to spend as much time searching for the right lines and you will be able to use it in different orientations.

8. Mark the line on the ruler

If you are cutting a lot of one size, put a piece of tape on the ruler close to the line. This will help your eye go to the right place and allow you to cut the pieces faster.

9. Hold your ruler firmly

When cutting, hold your ruler straight with tented fingers. Some fingers should be on the ruler and some should be on the table. If you struggle with keeping the ruler still, you can always use a weight like an exercise ruler or can to help.

10. Hold the cutter vertically

Be sure to hold the cutter so the blade is straight up and down. Don’t have it angled in toward the ruler.

11. Cut with one smooth motion

Cut the fabric with a smooth stroke. If you have a very long cut, you can pause in the middle to move your ruler hand up, but don’t use a “sawing” motion.

If your cutter is not cutting the fabric in one pass, see the next tip.

12. Use a sharp blade

When in doubt, change the blade in your rotary cutter. It is easier and safer to use a sharp blade. Dull blades are more likely to slip and require more pressure to cut.

13. Close the blade after cutting

Get in the habit of closing the blade every time you set your rotary cutter down. You don’t have to talk to very many quilters before you hear stories of cutting accidents. The blades are very sharp and can cause serious injuries.

If you have a condition that makes it difficult to close the blade, there are cutters that automatically close when you lift them up. It is worth investing in one of these.

14. Dispose your old blades properly

Old blades are still very sharp and can be dangerous to those who work in waste disposal. Check with your local are to see the best way to dispose of these. You might need to put them in with sharps waste.

15. Measure twice, cut once

Take your time and double check your measurements. Accurate cutting is the foundation for accurate piecing.

With practice, cutting with a rotary cutter will become second nature and you will be a cutting expert.

More cutting help

Here are six more tips for getting the most from your basic quilting ruler.

Want to cut more complex shapes like triangles and diamonds? You can still use a basic ruler to cut those.