If you choose to rotary cut, you need a rotary cutter, a rotary cutting mat, and an acrylic ruler. Try to buy all of these from the same maker to keep measurements consistent.
Rotary Cutters
Like an extra-sharp pizza cutter, a rotary cutter has a rolling, razor-sharp blade attached to a handle. It's important, from your first cut, to learn to put on the cutter's safety guard each time you finish cutting. So when you're checking out different cutters, try out their guards. The easier the guard is to use, the more likely you are to get into the habit of using it. It's important! Without the safety guard on, you or someone you love (like a child or grandchild), are almost guaranteed to get cut when you least expect it.

Rotary cutters come in a variety of blade sizes and handle styles. Large rotary cutters, for example, can cut through four layers of fabric at a time. Store personnel can tell you each type's advantages and help you find one that will work best for you.

To extend your blade's life, remove it from the handle periodically and wipe it clean of lint and oil before replacing it. Use it only to cut fabric. And when cutting, make sure your mat is free of pins. The blade will be knicked if it goes over a pin, and this can cause it to skip over some threads when cutting.

With use, a blade will eventually become dull. So when your cutter begins skipping rather than cutting cleanly, it's time for a new blade. Make sure to buy the same brand of blade when replacing it. Dispose of the old blade carefully – it will still be sharp enough to cut you.

Rotary Cutting Mats
You should always use a rotary cutting mat with your rotary cutter. The mat protects your table top from cuts, and your blade from dulling. Mats with a soft "grippy" surface help fabric stay put as you cut.

Rotary cutting mats come in several materials and prices. The most expensive mats are "self-healing," meaning cuts don't remain on the surface. When deciding what size mat to buy, consider your workspace area. You'll probably want the largest mat you can afford that fits your cutting table.

Always store your mat flat, not rolled. And never leave it out in the sun and heat – as in your car. It will soften and warp. (Ask us how we know!). And, of course, don't ever iron on your mat, or put anything hot on it.

Rotary Cutting Rulers
Rotary cutting rulers, made of thick transparent acrylic, are specially made to help you cut with rotary cutters. They should be ¹/₈” thick to aid in making perfectly straight cuts. These rulers have printed measurements and gridded lines to follow, some even showing angles. There are many different sizes and brands. Start with the 6" x 12" or 6” x 24” ruler if your mat will accommodate it. You may also want a 6" or 8" square ruler. As you become accustomed to rotary cutting you may want additional rulers in specific sizes or with more grid lines.

Understanding Fabric Grain
Fabric grain is the way the threads cross through the fabric lengthwise and crosswise. Lengthwise grain, parallel to the selvage, has less stretch than does the crosswise grain which runs across the fabric width, selvage to selvage. Whenever possible, plan your cutting so the pieces that will form the outside edge of the finished block are on the straight of grain rather than diagonally across the grain. Cutting across the grain is called cutting on the bias, and since bias stretches easily, sewing along a bias edge will make it harder for you to have a nice flat quilt.



How to Cut
All measurements in Quilt Design Wizard's™ Rotary Cutting Charts include the seam allowance, so you do not need to add any extra fabric for seams.

Place your fabric so that you can cut to the side you normally cut on. Right-handers should have the bulk of the fabric to the right. Left-handers should have it to the left.

Your ruler and your mat both have grids on them. Some people use both the mat and ruler to align and measure their fabric. Others just use the ruler, and may even flip the mat over so they’re not distracted by the lines. Try both ways and find which works best for you.

There is an exact way to hold the rotary cutter. The handle should rest in the palm of your hand, with your pointer finger on top of the rotary cutter, as shown.

Stand directly behind the fabric to cut, rather than sitting – it’s easier to press down more firmly with the cutter if you’re standing. Hold the ruler steady with your non-cutting hand, pressing down to hold the ruler in place. Always remember that the fabric you want to save is under the ruler.

Your first cut will be to even off that slightly uneven as-it-was-cut-in-the-store-edge. (See below.) Always roll the cutter away from you. Never saw the roller back and forth as if you were really using a pizza cutter. Start rolling a bit before you get to the fabric, applying pressure as you roll. Keep the blade tight up against the ruler, straight up and down, not at an angle. The rotary cutter, your hand and arm will be at a 45 degree angle to your body.

Make sure your hand is always supporting the ruler near where you are cutting. You do not want the ruler to slip. Check to make sure you made a good cut before moving your ruler.


Squaring up the Fabric Edge
This step is necessary for your first cut. It trims the uneven edges of your fabric as it comes from the store. Fold the fabric from selvage to selvage, and then fold again. Line up the fabric grain, then lay the fabric on the mat, lining up the bottom fold with a horizontal line on the grid. Also line up the rotary cutting ruler with the vertical lines of the grid to ensure that it is straight. Now you’re ready to cut the fabric.

How to Cut Strips
Most fabric comes 44” wide on a bolt. Fold the fabric in half so that it is 22” wide, placing the folded edge closest to you. Make sure the edges are straight. Bring the selvage over to the folded edge, but not quite all the way. Line up the ruler’s right side (if you’re right-handed) where you want to cut, using the grid markings and numbers to measure. Cut the strip.

How to Cut Squares
Place the fabric to be cut on the rotary cutting mat. Place a square rotary cutting ruler at the lower-left corner of the fabric, adding extra to the measurement you want to cut. Cut along the right side and the top of the ruler.

Turn the piece of fabric that has been cut away 180 degrees. Now line up the corner you just cut with the exact measurement of the square on the ruler. Cut the other two sides of the square, trimming away the extra fabric.



How to Cut Multiple Squares
Place the strip to be cut into squares on the rotary cutting mat. Turn the strip and cut squares from the strip. You can cut folded fabric getting two at a time.


How to Cut Rectangles
Place the fabric to be cut into rectangles on the rotary cutting mat. Place the rotary cutting ruler over the fabric. Cut along the vertical edge of the ruler, then turn the rotary cutter 90 degrees and cut along the horizontal edge of the ruler. Turn the piece of fabric that has been cut away 180 degrees. Align the rotary ruler on the fabric. Cut along the vertical edge of the ruler and then turn the rotary cutter 90 degrees and cut along the horizontal edge of the ruler.


How to Cut Half-Square Triangles
Place the square on the rotary cutting mat. Place your rotary cutting ruler on the square, aligning the edge of the ruler diagonally with opposing corners of the square(s). Cut along the ruler edge to get half-square triangles.


How to Cut Quarter-Square Triangles
Arrange the square on the rotary cutting mat. Place your rotary cutting ruler on the square, aligning the edge of the ruler diagonally with opposing corners of the square. Cut corner to corner, but do not move the fabric apart.








Keeping the triangles together, reposition the ruler along the opposite corners and cut along the ruler edge to get quarter-square triangles.