When I started quilting in the early 1970's rotary cutters and the rulers and cutting mats used with them didn't exist. The common way to cut out pieces to make a quilt block was to first make a template of the pieces needed out of cardboard, plastic or folded paper, then trace around the template, leaving room between shapes to add a 1/4" seam allowance all around. The shapes would then be cut out with a good sharp pair of scissors. I left quilting behind when I got busy raising a family so it was several years later when I got interested in it again. When I found the rotary cutter I thought that was the best invention of all time for quilting and sewing. Of course I saved my pennies and bought one and all the goodies that went with it. Learning to use them properly was something of a challenge; it seemed like it should be easy enough to get the fabric all squared up and then cut into strips, but somehow for me I never could master making accurate cuts. Sometimes the ruler would slip, or I'd eyeball the wrong mark on the ruler to line up where it would cut, so I'd have one or two oddball strips in a batch of strips. I would suddenly realize that when I would sewed a piece together it would be the wrong size. Having the space to use the long rulers and big mats was also a challenge. I fought with the whole process of getting the fabric laid out just right, lining up the ruler just right and hoping it doesn't slip only to find I've cut them wrong. It was frustrating, but this was the modern way, and if I wanted to produce lots of quilts, this was the way to do it.
But I've come to realize that my enjoyment of the process of piecing and stitching is more important than rushing thru the cutting simply to mass produce quilts as fast as I could. I wasn't in it for the competition but to enjoy the activity of working with fabric and thread. It is more comforting to sit in my recliner with a board on my lap, a small piece of fabric on the board, a little sewing basket nearby holding my supplies, and tracing out my pieces using a template. I can mark my fabric and have it waiting for me to cut out a few pieces as I have the time to do it. I'm not hovering over a table, straining to see and trying to accurately cut a large piece of fabric, hoping I've done it right.
Like any tool, the rotary cutter has its uses. The ergonimically shaped handle is easier on the hand then the original designed straight handle, and they are made safer now with automatically covered blades. For quickly cutting a piece of fabric that is several yards long and you want to cut into 1 yard lengths, the rotary is ideal. For precise cutting it takes more skill, something I found difficult to develop. I will always have a rotary cutter for general cutting. But for its intended use of cutting fabric precisely and quickly for quilting purposes, for me it just didn't work out. Maybe I'm too much of a traditionalist; I like the older, simpler way better.
Edey
