Rotary Cutting Safety Tips

by Serena Smith

What would we do without rotary cutters?? I would be totally lost! :) They are a great addition to our quilting. They allow us to cut quilt pieces easier, faster and with more precision. With several sizes and many different brands from which to choose, rotary cutters are not only fantastic for fabric, but also can be used for paper, scrapbooking and other crafts. As great as rotary cutters are, they can be dangerous also! Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind!

Close the Blade - Every rotary cutter has a safety shield, latch or cover. Use it! That’s why it is there! Get in the habit of closing the blade every time you set the cutter down. This will prevent you from accidentally running your hand or finger across it and getting cut or cutting any fabric unintentionally. With some rotary cutters, the blade is always closed until pressure is applied to release the blade.

Change Blades with Caution - Changing the blade of your rotary cutter can be tricky. Use extreme caution and don’t be in a hurry when doing it. Keep your finger clear of the blade edge; even dull blades are still sharper than most kitchen knives. Hold the blade near the center instead of the edge for more protection.

Use the Plastic Cover - Picture this: Throw the old blade in the trash. Tomorrow you start digging through the trash looking for a scrap of fabric and all of a sudden hit a sharp object. Don’t let this happen to you. Put the old blade in the plastic container of the new blade and throw away. You won’t have any sharp edges to find in the trash when you are digging for something!