What Rotary Cutter Should I Choose?
One of the best tools for preparing and cutting fabric and quilt pieces is the rotary cutter. These handheld cutters provide a great alternative to scissors and can save time and energy; while giving a clean cut on multiple types of fabrics (even multiple layers).
You may have already noticed that rotary cutters come in a variety of sizes. This, of course, leads to the questions: “what are the different size rotary cutters used for?” and “what is the best rotary cutter for quilting?”
Let’s explore these questions together.
The Different Sizes of Rotary Cutters:
28mm Rotary Cutter
If you’re looking for small & neat cuts on your project, 28mm is great! Recommended for small cuts, cleaning up edges, and cutting curves out of fabric; this small blade is perfect to keep on hand near the sewing machine for touch-up work.
45mm Rotary Cutter
Often referred to as the “standard” rotary blade size, the 45mm rotary cutter is great for quilting, dressmaking, and papercraft. With a plethora of quilting rulers designed to accommodate this blade size, you can rest assured that your cuts are staying “true” (straight). Additionally, 45mm rotary cutters can generally work with a variety of blade options, including pinking blades, wave blades, and perforators.
60mm Rotary Cutter
When it comes to straight cuts and multiple layers (over 5), a 60mm rotary cutter is a great option. With its large size, it provides stability on an assortment of fabric options. Used for biasing and sectioning material and thick paper and card stock, this rotary blade size shines when you have a large amount of cutting to do in a short period.
What is the Best Rotary Cutter Size for Quilting?
While there are many answers to this question, the consensus is that before you should look at the smaller (28mm) or larger (60mm) options, you should start with the 45mm Rotary Cutter. The reasons for this are both adaptability and cutting options.
From here, the next consideration is the type of quilts that are looking to create. For small pieces and fine details, it is hard to pass the 28mm Rotary Cutter. With the addition of a slim cutting board for the sewing table, this nifty little rotary cutter can ensure that every piece that you stitch will be perfected-edged. While if you work with large pieces or are trying your hand at quick quilting, the convenience of the 60mm blade cannot be overlooked.
It can be hard to pick a rotary cutter when you’ve so many choices to choose from. By starting with the standard size and then adding the smaller and larger options to your sewing toolbox, you will be able to grow (and cut) your quilt exactly as you need.
Shopping for a Rotary Cutters and Accessories?
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