Cutting Fabric the Easy Way
Written: Dec 18 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: sharp steel blade edge, comfortable to hold, easy to use, cuts through layers of fabric
Cons: be careful not to cut yourself on the sharp blade
The Bottom Line: An easy rotary cutter to use. Even the Bottom Line agrees.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Olfa (RTY-1/G) 28MM Rotary Cutter - 9551 |
I love to sew, especially when it involves crafting quilts. For over 20 years I have snipped my way through yards of fabric. When Olfa introduced their rotary cutter many years ago, I could not believe the innovative wheel design ... a round razor blade! Using the Olfa 28mm Rotary Cutter allowed me sewing freedoms I had never even imagined.
Description
This review is about the standard Olfa Rotary Cutter design that uses the 28mm blade. For those not familiar with rotary cutters, they essentially resemble a round razor blade at the end of a straight handle. The Olfa 28mm rotary cutter in front of me measures 5 3/4" long x 1 1/4" wide. Olfa has a distinctive bright yellow plastic handle on their rotary cutters. The handle measures 7/8" wide x 3/8" deep. At the end of the handle, opposite from the razor blade, is a hole so that one can hang the cutter if desired (or thread it on a chain or tie a piece of fabric or ribbon through the hole for identification).
The round razor blade is made from tungsten carbide tool steel. Olfa states that their blades are “the longest lasting blades in the business”. The round blade is a bit larger than a quarter (the money kind – a 25-cent piece). It is attached to the end of the cutter with a screw, and a black plastic collar surrounds the edges of the blade when the rotary cutter is not being used. This safety device is operated by a simple push/pull lever that pushes the collar around the blade to cover its edges when not in use, and pulls backward to reveal the sharp blade for cutting.
The handle, though rectangular, has a rounded end so that it fits easily against the palm of the hand during cutting. The black plastic push/pull lever that operates the safety cover for the razor blade is easy to push and pull using the thumb. There are raised narrow plastic grooves near the razor head, offering a place for the fingers to rest while using the rotary cutter.
My Experiences
I love using Olfa rotary cutters. I own three of this size! The handle is easy to grasp, and my hand only becomes tired if I am cutting fabric for hours at a time, which I rarely do. I tend to cut fabric in half-hour to two-hour time spans. This Olfa cutter is perfect for my needs.
Simply grasp the yellow handle. Using your thumb, pull back the black plastic lever to uncover the round razor blade. Make sure the hand is firmly on the handle. The index finger rests on the raised plastic notches near the razor blade – be careful where you place your fingers. Set the rotary cutter blade against the fabric and push the cutter forward with firm pressure. The fabric slices as the rotary cutter rolls its way across the material.
Just as if you were using a pair of scissors, make sure the rotary cutter blade is straight up and down. If the cutting blade is angled, the fabric will cut at an angle. This would be more noticeable when cutting layers of fabric than a single piece of material.
A unique feature of rotary cutters is that you can cut fabric in any direction. Move the cutter forward, backward or on a diagonal. Cut a straight or curved line. Since this Olfa rotary cutter has a straight handle, it can be used by left- or right-handed people.
Primarily, I use this rotary cutter to cut 100% cotton fabric for use in quilting. This cutter is ideal for light- and mid-weight fabrics. It can also cut through layers of material. For instance, the 100% cotton fabric I use usually comes in 44" or 45" widths. I fold the fabric width-wise in half and then in half again so that it measures about 11" wide. The Olfa 28mm rotary cutter easily cuts through the layers of fabric.
If you are a rotary cutter novice, you are probably wondering what the fabric is resting against while all this cutting is happening. You need a rotary cutter mat. I use a self-healing Olfa rotary cutting mat (they come in a variety of sizes). The mat lays on a hard surface. The fabric is placed on the mat. Then the rotary cutter slices the fabric. The mat is designed so that as the razor wheel of the rotary cutter slices through it, the mat “heals” itself by merging together the cut.
Ahhhh, but what if you need to cut a straight line? It’s important to have a thick acrylic ruler that is designed to use with a rotary cutter. These rulers come in all shapes and sizes. One of my favorite rulers measures 6" wide x 24" long. When I have my fabric folded and ready for cutting, I align the ruler so that it is straight along the grain of the fabric. Then I anchor the ruler in position with one hand (fingers slightly spread) while the other hand wields the rotary cutter. I place the blade of the cutter along the edge of the acrylic ruler and roll the cutter across the fabric. Ta da! A beautiful straight edge has been cut.
I have no trouble using this size cutter to slice through layers of material as described above. If I try to cut more than this amount of layers, though, I run into trouble. The blade of the cutter will skip sections of cutting if the layers are too thick.
I have also used this Olfa rotary cutter to cut out pattern pieces. For example, I enjoy sewing vests and tops. I also sew some crafts using tissue pattern pieces. As long as the pattern pieces present simple cutting edges (no intricate small curves or vees), the rotary cutter zips along the outside edge of the pattern pieces, making quick work of cutting.
Rotary cutters are also great for cutting paper. I have an Olfa 28mm rotary cutter specifically set aside for this task. Paper dulls a blade faster than fabric will so I have a dedicated cutter for paper. This rotary cutter is excellent for slicing both paper and fabric.
Care and Cleaning
When the rotary cutter is not being used, always make sure the safety cover is in position around the wheel. The razor wheel is very sharp! Please keep rotary cutters away from children and animals.
Make sure there are no pins, rulers or other obstructions on the mat or under the fabric when cutting. Even though the rotary cutter wheel is made from steel, a stray pin can nick the metal.
To clean the Olfa rotary cutter, remove the blade, which is simple to do by removing a screw and washer. Set the blade aside and wipe away lint from the area where the blade usually sits. Before replacing the blade, carefully wipe it clean. If desired, place one drop of sewing machine oil on the face of the cutter before replacing the blade. (I have never used oil on my cutters, and I have owned them for years and years ... and they work great.)
If the rotary cutter blade should dull or become damaged, replacement blades are available. It is simple to replace the blade in the cutter. It only takes minutes to do.
Caution – My Own Experience
Be careful with the sharp blade. If you are new to rotary cutting, watch where you place your hands and fingers in relation to the blade. When I first used a rotary cutter, I held it the wrong way. I inadvertently placed my index finger over the round razor blade. Ouch!! I sliced my finger open. However, I learned from the experience. I never cut myself again using a rotary cutter.
Purchasing
Joann Fabric sells the Olfa 28mm rotary cutter for about $9.00. The rotary cutter comes as one unit with the razor blade already installed. Many fabric and quilting stores sell these cutters, such as Hancock Fabrics (www.hancockfabrics.com).
Olfa also manufacturers a Deluxe Olfa Rotary Cutter, which costs a bit more than this standard style. The deluxe cutter has a slightly curved handle. Instead of the push/pull lever that operates the safety cover for the razor blade ... the deluxe version has a safety lock built into the handle. The handle is in two pieces, almost resembling a pair of gardening shear handles.
Summary
I love my Olfa 28mm Rotary Cutters! I own three of this size cutter. One cutter has a wheel that is designated for cutting paper, since paper dulls a wheel faster than fabric. The other two rotary cutters are used for cutting material. This size rotary cutter is also easy to tuck away for travel, such as when attending sewing/quilting workshops. I have never had one of these cutters break, and I have owned them a long time!
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
Olfa North America
33 South 6th Street
Terre Haute, IN47807
Toll-free Phone: 800-962-OLFA
Please read my other reviews:
Olfa Rotary Cutter Replacement Wheels – all sizes
Fiskars Pinking Shears and tutorial
Quilter’s Dream Sewing Table
Horn of America Sewing Chair
Janome Jem Sewing Machine
Black & Decker Pro Finish Iron
Bernina Accessory Box
Quilt Pro Software
Keepsake Quilting Online Store
Joann .com Fabric & Craft Store
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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