Fabric Cutters

[statgirl]

My MIL is having shoulder issues and is looking for something to help cut fabric for quilting. Her requirements are that it cuts straight lines on the grain and causes less shoulder stress. She doesn’t really care about quickness or having it cut a lot of layers at once. Any ideas? Thanks!

[shortcake2675]

Jan 5, 2020 13:12:10 GMT -5 statgirl said:

My MIL is having shoulder issues and is looking for something to help cut fabric for quilting. Her requirements are that it cuts straight lines on the grain and causes less shoulder stress. She doesn’t really care about quickness or having it cut a lot of layers at once. Any ideas? Thanks!

I have an olfa that has an ergonomic grip.

Olfa 45mm Deluxe Handle Rotary Cutter www.amazon.com/dp/B000BNLLHW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AYJeEbV765HQH

You need a rotary mat to use it. I’ve had this one since 2013. Smaller mats are available. I also have a 12x24 Fiskars that I’ve had even longer. I don’t like it as well, but it’s not a bad option.

www.amazon.com/OLFA-Double-Sided-Self-Healing-Rotary-Mat/dp/B0006SDOFO/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=healing+cutting+mat&qid=1578253487&sprefix=healing+cutti&sr=8-8

As far as on grain, it’s a matter of lining up her rulers right. I have 6x24 quilting rulers, a 12.5x12.5 and a 4x36. She may not need that mix.

Hope this helps! Rotary cutters make cutting fabric much much easier for me with arthritic hands.

[cmeon]

Has she tried electric shears? There are some cordless ones now that seem to be very popular with seniors.

[statgirl]

She has great tools currently (she has been quilting for years) but is running into issues with her shoulder catching so rotary cutters are giving her difficulties. She has looked into the cricut but is nervous about it cutting off grain. She (like my FIL) is very particular on tools. I’m more of a “make things work” person so straight lines end up suggestions to me. Plus, I’m a knitter not a quilter so I am clueless. Thanks for the tips.

[shortcake2675]

Ah. The cricut maker can cut fabric better than some because there's a rotary blade option. The Silhouette Cameo 4 has it too and I much much prefer silhouette. But there's a brother Scan and Cut that is great for applique and because it can scan, the options are better.

As far as cutting off grain, i think it comes down to placing the cuts straight on the map on the computer and then sticking your fabric down straight. But here's a discussion with more details. sewing.patternreview.com/SewingDiscussions/topic/100407

I'm sorry I don't have better ideas. I like the electric shears idea to a point I may look into them for myself.

[dragon's breath]

I've seen some of the seniors in my group use the accu-cutter (you can line the grain up to the blades), but the ones they have have a hand crank. I think there is one that has a little motor, it's just more expensive.

They also have one of these at the Senior Center, but I've never tried to use it, so can't say how great it works. It's still a rotary cutter, but since it holds the fabric in place, seems like not as much weight has to be put on it.

www.amazon.com/Fiskars-195130-1001-Rotary-Cutter-Ruler/dp/B00EXIACSU

[TBM]

Jan 6, 2020 1:03:26 GMT -5 dragon's breath said:

I've seen some of the seniors in my group use the accu-cutter (you can line the grain up to the blades), but the ones they have have a hand crank. I think there is one that has a little motor, it's just more expensive.

It's Accuquilt, not accucutter....maybe Accuquilt Go. I have one of the crank machines.

I would think that the pricey motorized one would be worth it for an avid quilter. You have control over how the fabric is laying on the die, so you are in control of the grain, pattern, etc..