Rulers, templates, and blade options improve and expand the ways garment sewers can use rotary cutters. Circular cutting guides and circle rotary cutters make it fast and easy to cut flawless fabric circles. A ruler designed for visibility over different fabrics is an excellent rotary cutter guide, and with the correct rotary cutter blade, you can cut pinked or decorative edges on fabric.

In general, rotary cutters make the process of cutting fabrics faster and more efficient. Since the fabric remains flush with the cutting surface, garment sewers can use pattern weights instead of pins. Quilters can make perfect squares with a ruler and rotary cutter, and no extra marking is required.

A few handy rotary cutter accessories available are described in “Essential Techniques: The spin on rotary cutters,” Threads #197, June/July 2018. More are listed below.

No matter which way you roll, always be careful when handling rotary cutters and blades. Because rotary cutter blades are sharp, always engage the blade guard or safety whenever your rotary cutter is not in use. Also keep rotary cutters and spare blades away from children. In addition, be sure to use a cutting mat to protect your worksurface and prolong the life of the rotary cutter blade.

The following accessories and blade options can enhance your rotary cutting.

Frosty cutting guidance

A clear ruler often is used in combination with a rotary cutter to measure and guide accurate cuts. Ruler measurement markings can be difficult to see when working with dark fabrics, however. Olfa Frosted Advantage rulers are easier to read with dark- and light-colored fabrics. Thanks to a translucent white coating on the underside of the…