Last week my post covered the rulers I use and some tips on using rulers. This week, I will cover more tips for cutting, with emphasis on safety, while using these rulers. I will also cover some maintenance and care tips for rulers and some of your other tools. Let’s get started!
Cutting Safely
Cutting out pieces for your quilt project starts with accurate use of your cutting tools. It’s important to position your ruler correctly and keep it from shifting while cutting. Most of your pieces will be cut from longer strips. This post here covers cutting those strips accurately with several of my favorite tips. I think safety when cutting is just as important.
Tip #1: Start with the rotary cutter. Make sure your rotary blade is not dull. You know your blade is dull if you have to press down too hard to cut the fabric. Pressing down hard is a way to lose control of the cutter and cause accidents. A good rule of thumb is to replace your blade before it gets dull. I advise testing your blade on scrap fabric before you begin to cut out a project.
Tip #2: Do not ever leave the blade open when you put the cutter down.
Get in a habit of using that little button on your cutter that closes and locks it every time you put it down. Before you know it, you will be doing it without even thinking. This protects you in case you grab the wrong end accidently or protect someone else that may wander up to the cutting table.
Tip #3: I now use a “klutz” glove and have rotary cutting shields (see below) on my rulers. These, of course, are optional but I would not work without them. The ruler guard is great because it prevents the blade from hitting you if the cutter happens to skip over the ruler’s edge. Also, the shield is clear so you can still see the ruler markings.
The brand of safety shield I have on my rulers does not appear to be sold anymore, but I have found these that serve the same purpose.
Care & Maintenance of Tools
Now onto the care and maintenance of your quilting tools. These tools are expensive and you do not want to have to replace them often. Using them correctly and taking care of them when they’re not in use will help you prolong their life.
- Rulers
Tip #1: Clean your rulers periodically by dusting with a soft cloth. Do not use anything abrasive like paper towels that can scratch the ruler surface and make the markings harder to read. Also don’t use any cleaning solution with bleach or ammonia. If you need to use a cleaning solution, use those that are meant for plexiglass.
Tip #2: Store your rulers away from direct sunlight and not in areas of your home with extreme temperature changes.
Tip #3: Make sure to store your rulers securely. If you drop them or they fall from a storage area, they will chip or break. You can hang them on a peg board, from hooks on a wall or put them in a ruler holder on your table.
- Cutting Mat Care
Tip #1: Keep your cutting mat in good shape by storing it properly. If you do not have a dedicated cutting area where the board can be kept flat, make sure it’s stored flat, like under a bed or on a large shelf. Another way I’ve stored extra mats is hanging them in a closet from clip hangers.
I put a bit of batting on the part of the board that the clips will attach to to keep it from creating a permanent dent. This is a great space saving storage solution especially if you do not have big flat area to store the mat when not in use.
Tip #2: Another maintenance duty we often neglect is cleaning your cutting mat. If there are threads and other debris on your mat, it can cause cutting errors and cause you to waste fabric.
To remove stray threads from previous cutting activity, you can use a pet hair roller. Run it across the board to remove threads that may be caught in some of the cuts in your mat. You can remove bits of fabric fiber that get caught in cuts in your mat by rubbing a gum eraser (artist’s eraser) over sections you have just used to cut. Finally, I have been known to wrap a piece of packing tape around my had to whisk threads off.
Finally, you can moisturize your mat to keep it supple and healthy. Put 1/4 cut of white vinegar per gallon of cool water in a tub and soak the mat for about 15 minutes. Use a very soft toothbrush to remove the fiber bits. You can also add in a few drops of mild dish soap. Rinse with cool water, gently towel dry or lay it flat on a towel for drying.
Tip #3: Regarding usage: when you are using your mat, try not to continuously cut in the same place when you are cutting fabric. These mats are self-healing but they do wear out. To get your mat to last as long as possible rotate your mat often to avoid cutting in the same place. Some mats are even double sided. If yours is, flip it occasionally and use the other side. Taking care of your self-healing mat will make it last for years longer than expected. Finally, try to keep your mat from direct sunlight or extreme temperature changes. Definitely never iron on your cutting mat.
That’s it for this week. Hopefully this post has provided you with some helpful tips for maintaining your cutting tools. Next week, I’ll talk about your most expensive “tool”, your sewing machine.
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
