Quilt Cutting Tools

I use a 6' fold-up banquet table as a work table.  It was too short for a comfortable work height which caused a constant backache.  My husband made leg extenders by cutting up 2" white PVC pipe to the appropriate length.   We glued end-caps on one end of the pipe and slipped the open end over each leg.  The end cap protects your flooring and the weight of the table stabilizes the extenders.  We cut several different sets, so when I need a higher surface to work on for pinning etc I can just replace the legs.  Works great!

My rotary cutter mat was getting a lot of threads embedded in it, and I wanted to get rid of them.  Instead of spending - for a tool to resurface the mat, or buying a new one, I discovered that tape works wonders!  Simply tear off a piece of clear plastic tape, press it along the lines where the threads are embedded.  Make sure to press all along the width and length so that it adheres. Then rip it off quickly.  It takes all those threads off the mat, and leaves it much cleaner.  Inexpensive tape works just as well as the name brand for this purpose!

A rotary cutter is a popular cutting tool since it can cut fabric quickly and accurately. However, a certain amount of safety should be practiced when using a rotary due to it constantly exposed blade. You will also need a self-healing mat to use your safety cutter on while safely protecting the surface of your furniture. Buy the largest mat that your budge can allow, because the larger the mat, the larger you work surface.

If you choose to stick with the basic scissors to do your cutting, you need to ensure they are very sharp. Using a pair of dull scissors will chew up your fabric, creating uneven edges that are difficult to sew together. Invest in a quality pair of scissors and only use them for cutting fabric. Paper or other materials can dull scissor blades and ruin an expensive pair of scissors. When purchasing scissors, make sure they are quality made tools that have a nice heavy heft.

If you opt to use a rotary cutter, each time before you begin cutting, ensure the blade is sharp. Much like dull scissor, a dull rotary blade can ruin your fabric by chewing the sides. Also, you may not be able to get a precise cut using a dull rotary blade. Since the blade is exposed, a dull blade can pose a danger to the cutter. Using dull rotary blades makes the cutting process more difficult, causing the need to put more pressure on the blade to get an acceptable cut. This pressure can cause the blade to slip or break, potentially injuring the cutter.