Rotary cutter stand-off: We have a winner!
I’ve got two short posts this week. I separated them because they are on two different subjects. You can find the other post here. I made a discovery this week – I unwittingly did a Consumer Reports type of test to find the best rotary cutter and I have a clear winner. Background first:
I wrote last week about making kits for my Houston students. Every student will have a kit of quilt sandwiches to work with at the Houston Int’l Quilt Festival. By the way, you can still sign up for my classes. See my summary at the end of this post, with links to each class.
I am thrilled to report – I’m finished, all 425 sandwiches!
I have been teaching at the Houston show for 7 years, this will be my 8th. One thing I know: you MUST be organized! So much can go wrong at a major show and students kinda don’t care – they paid a lot of money to get there and a lot of money to stay there and a lot of money for their class. They expect the best. I choose to make kits so that each student has the right quantity and quality of materials to work on the subject in class without lugging it in their suitcase. It is a ton of work, but worth it.
I have a system that works well for me: I make each student’s kit, then stack those with strips of paper in between each one for easy separation in class. I wrap the stacks in Press’nSeal, write the number of student kits and create a Press’nSeal handle for easy transport. Teachers have to lug huge amounts of teaching materials long distances and a grab ‘n go set up makes that a lot easier.
There we go, ready to send to Houston for a zillion dollars, once I get the green light that we can send.
I cut up 8 bolts of Kona into 15″ squares, which put my rotary cutters to the test:
I had some help (thank you Becky, Donna and Nancy!) at one point, so I loaded up my various rotary cutters with new titanium (snort!) blades and started on my cuts. Without meaning to, I created kind of a Consumer Reports type of scheme and there was a clear winner:
The Quilters Select cut longer, better and easier by far than the other two. All had brand new titanium blades, cutting the same fabric on the same mat. It was a no-brainer.
So here’s what’s weird – I’ve had the QS cutter for awhile and it didn’t bowl me over. It’s much heavier than the others and I guess I thought that made it harder to use. When you’re cutting up 8 bolts of fabric, you want to be using the best tool and this is it.
Another note: your mat makes a difference too. I learned this awhile ago too – the white plastic “JoAnn’s mats” (no-brand type mats) will dull your blade more quickly than the Martelli mats will. Granted, the Martelli’s are way more expensive, but once you cut on them, you’ll notice the difference and wonder why you didn’t get one sooner. Because we deserve the best, no? Funny thing is I don’t care for their ergonomic rotary cutter; I found it to wobble when I made my cuts. Many prefer them, so that may be just me.
I’ve got some openings in my Houston classes. You can sign up by clicking directly on the link which will take you to my class’ page:
Mon, Oct 25 Fabulous Free Motion Fills ‘n Frills 1 – 4 PM, 6 – 9 PM
Tues, Oct 26 Feathers Four Ways for Domestic Machines 9 AM – 5 PM
Wed, Oct 27 Machine Quilting Forum 1 9 AM – NOON
Wed, Oct 27 Lecture, the Beauty of the Imperfect 4 – 5 PM
Th, Oct 28 Machine Quilting Forum 2 9 AM – Noon
Fri, Oct 29 Yes You CAN Free Motion Quilt! 8 AM – 4 PM
I’ll link up with:
One thing I did notice was that you put the blade in the Olga cutter wrong. It is supposed to be on top of the plastic cover so that it rides up against the ruler perfectly and covers the blade when it is closed.
Olfa
YES! Thank you! I know better. I changed the photo to show it loaded correctly. I appreciate your eagle eye!
I certainly enjoyed your rotary runoff for the best working cutter. I cannot imagine cutting that many kits. You are truly dedicated and GET quilters. The kit is a sure fire way to relieve the stress. Looking forward to you teaching at Glendale Quilt Guild in June 2022.
Caren I look forward to meeting you. I know I will gladly pay for a kit for a class!
Hi Judy
Are your classes i Houston offered virtually also?
Getting pretty good at bubbles!
Thanks Colleen
Oh goodie – glad that bubbles are working for you Colleen! Houston is in person only this year – sorry!
I just got the 60mm QS cutter, and LOVE it. It’s heavier, but just feels so good in my hand when cutting. Still like my Olfa’s, though, as I have them in many colors and sizes, but enjoy using QS for lots of cutting of yardage??. It was a good investment for me.
Interesting Rosie – I don’t have the 60 yet but that heft really makes cutting easier. “Olfa’s in many colors” – like that!
Yes, I have the QS rotary cutter. I found it to be a little fiddly at first, but quickly became used to opening and closing it, appreciating the weight and balance it provides. I’m glad to hear you really put it to the test and found it to be the winner
Yes, I found it a bit odd at first also Terry and maybe that’s what kept me from using it on a regular basis.
I too love the Quilters Select rotary cutter. I like it because it IS heavier (just like the feel). But I also have grown to love my Martelli cutter for extended cutting sessions. I wasn’t keen on it at first, took so,e getting used to. But the ergonomic design really does make a difference on my arthritic index finger. The downward pressure is distributed more to the hand and away from the finger. Bottom line is, I use both models and am happy to have options!
As for the mats, I agree about the Martelli mats. They are much thicker due to multiple layers. Another great mat is from Quilters Select, for the same reason (thicker/multiple layers) and less expensive than the Martelli mats.
And for the longest time I thought the weight was a negative. Interesting on the Martelli Susan, maybe I just didn’t give it enough time. Oh yes, forgot about the Quilters Select mats – I have a smaller one and don’t use it much because it’s kind of a “class” size.
I like the Martelli cutters. It does take time to get used to them. Found 2 for $2.00 at the store at Elk Grove Quilt Show.
What a find Sue! Some of this is personal preference of course.