Anyone here familiar with rotary cutters? (sewing & craft)

For the record, I was only cutting one thickness at a time.

Thank you MaryThe Bookeeper

I shall watch this thread with interest, as I was considering buying one.
The Sewing Bee sewers, seem to use them, with ease.

Oooer...I shall watch too.

I just bought one at Hobbycraft (this morning!) after watching the Sewing Bee and thinking they looked so much easier than my shears. I did see they had packs of blades but thought I wouldn't need any that quickly so didn't buy any.

Back to my shears maybe

I hadn’t heard of them till very recently watching videos of rotary cutters being used when making face masks. Could come in very handy.

If your using one to cut out dress pieces, like on the GBSB, you need a very large self healing cutting mat.
If you don’t use one and cut on board your cutter will become blunt.

I have used a rotary cutter for years very successfully. But I agree with J52 that you need to use them with a self healing cutting mat. Otherwise they go blunt so quickly.
And be very careful when cutting as the blade will cut you quite deeply if you get your hand in the way. I shudder when watch some on GBSB use their rotary cutters.

Same as Maybelle.

Agree with Maybelle I use a rotary cuter with a ruler and a cutting mat for patchwork, The self healing cutting mat is absolutely essential.
I have tried to sharpen the blades but have never found a successful method so tend to just keep buying new blades.

I use the rotary cutter for patchwork, but revert to scissors for dressmaking, as I find them easier when cutting curves.

I use one for patchwork and it will cut several layers at a time. I always use a cutting mat and have had the same blade for several years.

I’m another person who doesn’t seem to get on with them. On Sewing Bee it looks effortless so I will welcome all tips given.

I've used a fiskars for years. The heaviest fabric I've cut with it is denim, curtain and heavy plush fabrics. It cuts like a dream and I just replace the blade when it gets a nick in it or seems blunt.

I use a cutting mat too. Are you using one mary if not that could well be the reason for your problem

I have a self-healing cutting mat. This afternoon I gave in & ordered a new titanium blade. Lets see how that compares..

I started using one when I went to quilting class, where they used a cutter on a mat (I assumed for measuring). I bought them both at an independent fabric shop. Not had a problem with it becoming rapidly blunt.

(They seem to all use them on GBSewing Bee)

I have used several sharpeners...all were substandard in performance. Finally, I realized how much my rotary cutter meant in guaranteeing good results so I looked on Amazon and bought a package of 12 blades. A year later, I still have 6 unused blades (my secret treasure chest ?). I always have a good blade and I improved my joy of quilting. It was worth every penny.

I use one (Fiskars) with a self-healing cutting mat. I replace the blade with a new one every time I start a new patchwork quilt. It works like a dream, as long as the blade replaced regularly. I bought a box of 12 blades on amazon. The blades I bought were a standard size.

I always stand up to use mine. Sitting down doesn’t allow me to put enough pressure on the blade.

Yes to standing up when using it. And I did notice that The Works has cutting mats at very reasonable prices.

I buy a pack of a dozen blades but also use a sharpener. I've read that cutting into several layers of kitchen foil sharpens blades but I've never tried.