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
