Many of us are busy cutting large amounts of units out for Celtic Solstice, the mystery quilt with Bonnie Hunter. As you layer 2 to 6 strips of fabric to cut through, change your rotary cutter and use a new blade. Let me explain why. My friend, Cathy K., went on a trip to Pigeon Forge to the quilt show at Dollywood. They stayed in a cabin and had a sewing retreat when they weren't taking classes at the show. One lady layered 6 layers of fabric and then she was pressing really hard on the rotary cutter because it was dull. She was pressing so hard that she skipped over the ruler and cut her finger badly. They wrapped her finger tight to stop the bleeding and rushed her to the hospital. The hospital was an hour away! First, they had to soak the finger to get the fabric off the finger at the hospital. Then they cleaned the wound, stitches, etc. They gave her an antibiotic and tetanus shot. The rest of the trip she needed to keep the finger elevated. By they time they arrived back in Illinois there was a red streak down her hand into her arm. Yes, she had blood poisoning and ended up in the hospital.
The morale of this story: Change your rotary blade, one blade is cheaper that a trip to an emergency room and/or hospitalization. I am guilty of trying to make that blade last a few more cuts. This is only one story, I have been at multiple retreats where ladies have cut the side of their finger due to a dull blade. Please be safety conscientious. I would rather we all spend the money on fabric rather than hospital/doctor bills.
Second tip today use a lint roller to clean your cutting mat. My friend, Mary W., taught me this tip. Since many of us are using our Tri Recs rulers, there are small tips we are cutting off the fabric and they stick to our cutting mats.
Roll your lint roller over your cutting mat to clean off the little bits of fabric and threads.
Whatever quilting project you are working on play it safe. Keep you fingers away from the rotary blades!
Today I am linking up with
Freemotion by the River,
Sew Darn Crafty and
A Quilt Story. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Yours in quilting,
Terry
Wiping your mat with a damp cloth periodically will restore moisture and extend the life of your mat.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Libby. I will try that.
DeleteMystery is looking good. I hadn't heard the lint roller tip...brilliant idea, I am going to try it!
ReplyDeleteI think I should get stock in 3M company. I buy the lint rollers at Wal Mart usually by the check out. With 4 dogs and 1 cat, lint rollers are a must have in this house.
DeleteThanks for this! A timely tip indeed - will go and change that blade I was 'forcing' through my fabric yesterday :)
ReplyDeleteGreat, glad I could help. Changing that blade will save you money and energy. Have a good day quilting.
DeleteGreat tips! I know several who have had rotary cutter injuries. So far I have not. I am slow to change out my blades as they are so costly. Then I recall someone say they use their 50% coupons at JoAnn Fabrics to purchase blades. Great idea. I use my lint roller when quilting but haven't used it on my cutting mat. I will do that this morning. I use it on my design board and on the backside of a quilt top before pin basting to get rid of those threads that often times show through to the front.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanie. I buy the lint rollers usually as I check out of Wal Mart. Between pets and quilting they are a staple at our house.
DeleteI definitely need to remember to change my blade more often. Will try that lint roller tip!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips and I know I seem to wait too long to change my blade. I will do it today!! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFreemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday
Do you know what you are missing? Grab the chance to see the latest lint roller, and have fun with it at www.SecretKidCleanup.com
ReplyDelete