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Tools & Equipment

Rotary Cutter

A circular blade tool that rolls across fabric to cut precise straight lines, like a pizza wheel for fabric.

The rotary cutter revolutionized quilting when it was introduced by Olfa in 1979. A circular blade rotates as it rolls along a ruler edge, cutting through multiple layers of fabric with a single pass. Standard blade sizes are 28mm, 45mm, and 60mm — larger blades cut through more layers and work better on long straight cuts. Rotary cutters must be used with a self-healing cutting mat to protect both the blade and the work surface. Blades should be replaced regularly; a dull blade tears rather than cuts, causing inaccurate edges.

Related Terms

Self-Healing Cutting MatA gridded mat that protects the work surface when using a rotary cutter and heals after each cut.Quilting RulerA thick, clear acrylic ruler used with a rotary cutter to make precise cuts.

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