Which Is Better - Scissors Or A Rotary Cutter?
If you're just starting out with patchwork and quilting, it can be tempting to use your trusty old scissors. But once you try a rotary cutter, you’ll never go back. Oddly, a few weeks ago I met the lady who introduced rotary cutters to the quilting world in this country and she said it was very hard work to persuade everyone that rotary cutters are FAR better than scissors when you’re cutting up fabric for your patchwork.
So in this week’s blog post, I’ll walk you through five reasons why a rotary cutter is the quilter’s best friend, especially if you’re aiming for neat, accurate pieces that fit together like a dream.
1. Precision, Every Time
In quilting, every eighth of an inch really does matter. That’s where a rotary cutter shines. It glides through fabric with a super-sharp blade and gives you those crisp, straight lines that scissors just can’t match.
TIP: Use your rotary cutter with a quilting ruler and a self-healing mat for best results.
2. Speed Without Sacrificing Accuracy
Rotary cutters aren’t just accurate, they’re fast. You can cut multiple layers of fabric at once, which is a game-changer when you're working on bigger projects (or just want to get sewing sooner). Scissors might keep up for a little while, but they’ll never match that level of efficiency.
3. Less Waste, More Savings
One of my favourite benefits? Less fabric waste. Because rotary cutters help you cut clean and true, AND you can cut accurately very close to the egde of your fabric, you’re far less likely to make costly mistakes. That means fewer scraps, fewer projects on the ‘abandoned pile', and more fabric for your stash (or your next quilt!).
4. Easier On Your Hands
If you’ve ever struggled with hand fatigue or joint pain, you’ll be glad to know that rotary cutters come in ergonomic styles. They’re designed to be comfy to hold and easy to press, even if you’ve got limited hand strength or arthritis. Some models are even made for left-handers, so it’s worth looking out for those.
5. Curves? No Problem
Rotary cutters aren’t just for straight lines. With a smaller blade and combined with a curved ruler, you can also tackle gentle curves and shapes that are nearly impossible to get perfect with scissors. Whether it’s a Dresden plate or a wavy applique, your rotary cutter has your back.
I do hope that helps. If you’d to watch the video where I discuss this in a bit more detail, you can watch that here:
Happy cutting,
Kim x