Berry Barn Designs
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • Patterns
    • Pattern Extras
  • TEACHING
  • Tutorials
  • Gallery
    • Quilts
    • Sewing
    • Quilt Alongs
  • About
    • Bio
    • Newsletter Archives
    • Tuesday Treats Giveaways!


QUILTING

TEACHING &

PATTERNS




​
Get fresh news, tips &
inspiration from around
our creative community
Sign up for my monthly newsletter!

Sunday Stash: Rotary Cutter-palooza!

3/2/2014

10 Comments

 
new tools | Berry Barn Designs
Last Sunday evening I had just finished ironing a gigantic pile of Wee Wander fresh from the dryer. I couldn't wait to get started cutting out the quilts I'm making for my daughters. I picked up the first piece of cloth, laid it on the cutting table, and about six inches in wondered why the blade was skipping. It must need a new blade, I thought, as I took it apart - to see the inner ring of the metal lodged in the partially sheared off center post! Of course, as luck would have it, this was about 1745. My local Jo-Ann's closes at 1800 on Sunday. And it's a twenty minute drive from my house. Of course. 

Now many of you probably have a whole bevy of cutters in your stash, but I did not. I've had that trusty rotary cutter for years, and never saw the need for a back up as long as I had some spare blades on hand. Until I lost hours and hours of perfectly good work time to waiting around for the sun to come up so I could go get a new one! As luck would have it, Fiskars were on sale and I had a great coupon for the blades. They didn't have the large Olfa cutter, but I ordered it online and thanks to the flying drones - err - UPS man - had it two days later, so I am now the proud owner of three brand new tools: 28 mm, 45 mm and 60 mm rotary cutters. Linking up with Molli Sparkle's Sunday Stash.
new tools | Berry Barn Designs
(On a side note, I used the 28 mm for the first time this week to cut some improv curves and ! how did I never use one this size before? I see how indispensable this will be for the curved piecing quilt I have coming up. I know, I know - late to the table on this one!) 

It's not too late to join in the 30/30 Sewing Challenge!
A month of sewing 30 minutes a day just for you!
We have a great group of sewists and quilters signed up, but the more of us who get to take some time to sew for ourselves, the better - you can find more info and the link up to get started right here. 
Berry Barn Designs
10 Comments
Adrienne link
3/2/2014 01:44:21

Nice new toys! I have only ever used a 45" blade, I was wondering what different sizes would be like. Maybe some day I will have to add to my collection :)

Reply
Sarah @ BBD link
3/2/2014 04:52:06

Me, too, Adrienne! I figured 45 mm was fine for everything (and certainly I'd say it is for those starting out), but now I see why curved piecing tutorials always show people using the 28 mm - very, very nicely follows a curve. I have yet to use the 60 mm, but I think it'll be handy for the folded yardage of my next quilt backs : )

Reply
Jess @ One English Teacher link
3/2/2014 03:13:23

Yay! New rotary cutters are always fun. Someone else just recommended to me buying the smallest one to cut around curves too. I'll have to add that to my list next time they are on sale :-)

Reply
Sarah @ BBD link
3/2/2014 05:04:02

Yes, I shrugged off the small cutter/curves thing, Jess, but now that I've tried it, I get it - much smoother and faster. Worth the small price, especially if it's 40% off like mine was!

Reply
Audrey link
3/3/2014 10:10:21

I've never used a 45mm, but I love my 60, and I've been using my 28mm more and more. It really is handy for curves, and I use it for apparel sewing too. Yay for new rotary cutters!

Reply
Sarah @ BBD link
3/3/2014 11:03:45

That's interesting, Audrey - when I was reading reviews the other night before purchasing, it sounded like a lot of people go 60 mm and never look back except for curve/tiny stuff with the 28. Maybe my 45 will get eclipsed!

Reply
Terri link
3/3/2014 15:17:04

Now you've gone and done it!!! You show that cutesy, wonderful fabric and I run right over to that website. And bought some. When my husband sees the fabric, I'm blaming you!

Reply
Sarah@BBD link
3/4/2014 02:50:15

Hahaha, Terri - this is the worst part of Sunday Stash - do you know how much money I spent last month on "one" print after I saw it on Molli's page? ended up with a dozen new stash pieces : P

Reply
Jasmine link
3/7/2014 01:01:28

I just changed my blade last night and wondered why I waited so long. One thing I have in my stash of rotary cutters is an old one with old blades for cutting paper. It is sooo nice to cut paper with a rotary cutter and my quilting rulers. ;)

Reply
Sarah@BBD link
3/7/2014 01:11:45

That's a great idea, Jasmine! Kind of like the old fabric scissors that get relinquished to paper projects after they lose their edge. I have one of those flat boards with the attached rotary cutter that I use for scrapbooking and it's very handy, too.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Sarah Nunes @BerryBarnDesigns
    Welcome! I'm Sarah. As a milmompreneur maker, wherever I go, I quilt, teach & sew! ​{Bio}  
    Get my newsletter!
    Picture
    Shop Patterns!

    Archives:

    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

Copyright © Berry Barn Designs 2012-2017
All Rights Reserved.
​No part of this website may be reproduced without express consent.

​
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • Patterns
    • Pattern Extras
  • TEACHING
  • Tutorials
  • Gallery
    • Quilts
    • Sewing
    • Quilt Alongs
  • About
    • Bio
    • Newsletter Archives
    • Tuesday Treats Giveaways!