Hi, friends! Can you believe we’re already this deep into October? The leaves are turning, the mornings are chilly, and I’ve been spending every spare minute in my sewing room. I’ve got a stack of Christmas quilts in progress (no surprise there!), which means I’ve been doing a LOT of cutting lately. And all that cutting got me thinking about the one tool I reach for more than any other: my rotary cutter.
People ask me all the time which rotary cutter they should buy. It’s a great question, because there are so many sizes and styles out there. Before I share my picks, though, I have to tell you about my own rotary cutter, because she and I have been through a lot together.
The Night the Lights Went Out
Back in 2012, my loving husband bought me a brand new Ott Light for my sewing room. It sat at the corner of my big cutting table and really brightened things up. A week or two later, I was happily cutting strips for my next quilt. I was in the zone, working fast and cutting lots of yardage. Well, unbeknownst to me, the cord of that Ott Light had gotten pulled up under some of my fabric. I bet you can see where this is going. I lined up my ruler and sliced right through the fabric, along with the lamp cord!
The lights flickered and the whole house went dark. I shocked the living daylights out of myself. I screamed and dropped my trusty rotary cutter, and my husband hollered from the dark living room, “What the ??”
Long story short, I survived. My husband reset the breakers, and he even fixed the lamp cord later (I still use that lamp today!). My rotary cutter took the biggest hit. A triangle was burnt right out of the blade, like a pie with one slice missing, and the yellow rubber handle and guard were blackened and burnt. I truly think that rubber handle saved my life. For real. And that is the story of how I became emotionally attached to a rotary cutter. I refuse to get rid of her. Blackened and burnt, she is my friend forever.
So, lesson number one: always keep cords far away from your cutting area. And lesson number two: a good rotary cutter with a nice rubber grip is worth every penny. Now, let’s talk about which one is right for you!
Which Size Do You Need?
Rolled alongside a ruler, a rotary cutter gives you straight, precise cuts, and accurate cutting leads to accurate piecing. Here’s how the three main sizes compare:
| Size | Best for | Why I like it |
|---|---|---|
| 28mm | Small, detailed cuts, trimming seams, foundation paper piecing | Easy to control around curves and tiny pieces. |
| 45mm | Everyday cutting, squaring up, block work | The most common size. Great for beginners and works in nearly every situation. |
| 60mm | Cutting many layers, denim, batting | Slices through more layers at once and goes longer between blade changes. |
My Pick for Beginners: 45mm
If you’re just starting out, get a 45mm cutter. It’s the gold standard: easy to handle, precise and perfect for everyday cutting. My old Olfa is a 45mm, and these days I also love the Missouri Star 45mm Rotary Cutter – Olga. She has ball bearings and just glides! Try a few styles to see what fits your hand. Left-handed? Nearly every cutter can be switched, since the blade simply moves to the other side.
My Pick for Speed: 60mm
The 60mm is the big sister. The larger blade cuts through more layers at once, handles thick stuff like denim and batting, and needs fewer blade changes because it takes fewer rotations to cut the same length. The Missouri Star 60mm Rotary Cutter – Greta is a workhorse in my sewing room.
My Pick for Small Work: 28mm
It’s easy to overlook, but the little 28mm is wonderful for tiny pieces and detailed cuts like foundation paper piecing and trimming seams. The Missouri Star 28mm Rotary Cutter – Klara folds into her handle and has a safety lock, so she travels well, too.
Can You Have More Than One?
Yes! Think of a bread knife and a paring knife: each one has its job. I keep a 45mm for everyday work and pull out my 60mm and 28mm for specific jobs.
Don’t Forget Fresh Blades!
A dull blade skips, drags and makes you push harder, which is exactly when accidents happen. When your cuts start getting fuzzy, it’s time for a new blade. Here are refills to match each size:
If you cut as much as I do, the 10-packs are a great deal, or grab the Missouri Star Ultimate Rotary Blade Pack to stock up.
Rotary Cutter Safety
- Close or lock the blade every single time you set it down.
- Always cut away from yourself, using a ruler.
- Keep cords (ahem!) and little fingers away from your cutting area.
- Replace the blade when it starts to skip or drag. A dull blade is more dangerous.
Want to learn even more? Check out Learn All About Rotary Cutters, or shop all the rotary cutters at Missouri Star. Which size is your favorite? And do you have a rotary cutter story of your own? Tell me in the comments!
‘Til next time,
Beth
P.S. Be sure to check out our Nancy’s Notions Homepage, where you can find links to 65 different categories of sewing and quilting topics! That’s more than 750 articles! Click here!
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