I’m buying it. I didn’t realize it was so cheap! I’ll be buying one…erm, Thursday, as I get paid tomorrow. 
Oh yeah, a rotary cutter and mat is essential. You can actually cut out other things with it–if, for example, your apron is going to be made out of a simple rectangle of fabric, you can get yourself a perfect rectangle with your rotary cutter and proper ruler use. It’s not so good for sleeves, obviously, but a lot of skirts are just large rectangles too.
I had a blast the other day cutting out fabric for a quilt–it’s one of those simple patterns where you mostly appreciate the fabric, and it was a lot of fun setting out my fat quarters, zipping them into strips, and voila! A quilt is on the way!
That is a delicate balance, isn’t it. Some fabric I feel bad cutting at all; once I got 10" squares from Keepsake and didn’t cut them at all, just framed them with sashing to highlight how beautiful they were. But simple patterns like Trip Around the World can have an amazing impact with the right mix of fabrics.
I think it’s time for pictures.
I’m far from an expert quilter. I let the fabric do the design work. But I’d love to see your sashed blocks, gigi. Sometimes I buy fabric that I hate to cut, but I don’t know how to show it off.
dangermom, I’d like to see yours too. I’ve done the Turning Twenty using 20 fat quarters, and Yellow Brick Road, but I could use more ideas for fat quarters.
I replace the blade on my cutter about once a year. I’ve used it on things from heavy wool through chiffon. It’s particularly good for chiffon and other fabrics that distort when scissors lift them.
Some day I’ll have a really big cutting mat, too.
Here is one of my Mom’s, a take on Attic Windows meant to show off the Bali fabrics. Mine are all on non-digital photos but I will be able to upload future projects.
Anaamika, is this OK to hijack? Or we could start a share-your-project thread?
Ooo, like the 36" x 48" version? Drool.
Please have at it! I was going to show some off, too!
Has anyone used electric scissors? I’ve been tempted to buy them, since my hands aren’t as strong as they once were.
Here are a few more of Mom’s (I feel like a cheater, but I also feel like showing off Mom and she’s a great inspiration!):
As you can see from 1 and 2, her slogan is “I never met a metallic I didn’t like!”
Oh, and I made this for Hal Briston’s girl from some embroidery panels he sent in the White Elephant. Adding a fabric tape measure to a baby wallhanging pattern is a great idea, for a growth chart.
gigi, that’s lovely. Great color choices. Good design choice for fabrics that are too pretty to cut.
Here is one I did for a friend, using batiks. I have yet to master quilting on a frame or hoop, so I just pin the layers and work on a table and hope for the best. This one wasn’t quilted when I took the photo, so it looks pretty wrinkly.
This one is my favorite. I don’t have a clue how to quilt it, so when I get some spare money, I’ll have a pro do that part.
I haven’t, but that’s because I’m terribly uncoordinated and am afraid they will take off on their own!
AuntiePam, is that first batik one from that “Beautiful Batiks” book, I think it’s called? Very nice! What great quilts everyone has made. I have to admit that my current quilt is Yellow Brick Road–I’ve never made it before, but I’m having fun. I’ve only got the blocks finished–haven’t sewn them together yet.
I just finished a top, which I sent out for quilting today, and I’ll post that picture later if I can. It’s all batiks, and I’m very pleased with it.
I love Yellow Brick Road! I’ve finished two crib size tops using this pattern, and have started cutting the fabric to make a full size quilt. This one is with all black and white (and white and black) fabrics. It’s a great pattern for a beginner, which I very much am.
Moving arts and crafts thread from IMHO to Cafe Society.
If I can warn those who haven’t used a rotary cutter before to please, please make sure you know where all your fingers are at all times when you’re using one. A moment’s carelessness can end up causing you a serious injury. I narrowly escaped a few months ago when my attention wandered and, lickety-split, I sliced a diagonal chunk off the end of my little finger and fingernail. If it had been 1/4" further over I’d have lost half the tip of my finger. So I now consciously make sure I’m aware of where my fingers are every time I start using the silly thing. I’m not going to give it up just because of a little blood!
My son sliced his hand quite badly while misusing my rotary cutter…and he was maybe 15 at the time. Keep them put away! I don’t use my rotary cutter for garment cutting because there are too many fiddly bits like notches to cut around to make it worthwhile, plus the danger of all those pins holding the pattern to the fabric! But I do use it for most of my quilts.
I have the hardest time with the pattern pinning and cutting out process in garment making, and am so relieved when it is over. But the worst part is getting myself to throw away the scraps of fabric. I don’t need to save them for doll clothes and craft projects anymore, but my mother’s Depression-Era mindset of “throw nothing potentially useful away” has rubbed off on me, and it’s a real strain to throw away even small, useless scraps
Thank you! Yep, that’s the one – Batik Beauties. The woman who did the book was on Simply Quilts, and she made it look so easy.
I think the book shows one in earth tones, but my friend asked for bright colors. Batiks are so easy to work with – maybe because they’re kinda stiff. (I don’t pre-wash.)
That’s good advice on rotary cutters. They’re like razor blades, and I’ve cut myself more than once, but never badly.
Yeah, that was her. I love that book, and someday I will actually produce a quilt from it.
Miraculously, I have never cut myself with my rotary blade. I don’t know how that has happened, and by writing this down, I am inevitably dooming myself to slicing my hand open in the near future. I will probably need stitches.
Oh, and I do agree that cutting out is the hardest worst part. If you mess it up, there’s no going back!
Fiskars Softouch scissors might be your answer. They have cushioned handles, and a gentle spring so that it’s not so hard to open the scissors after a cut. I love mine.