In the year 1979, The Olfa Company introduced the rotary cutter as a new and improved way to cut fabric. Rotary cutters were originally meant for use in making garments but were quickly adopted by many other trades that commonly used scissors, including expert and beginner home quilters and sewers.

A rotary cutter is a tool used by quilters for cutting fabrics and textiles. It has a handle with a roundabout and a sharp turning edge that cuts through material.

Blades are available in different sizes and can be sharpened to suit your preference. Smaller blades are used to cut more intricately, and larger blades handle straight lines and longer cuts.

Cut through multiple layers using a sharp, crisp edge without needing to remove interwoven pieces of a similar shape and size, rather than using scissors. Professional quilters use turning cutters with uniquely composed formats and rulers made of around 1/8-inch thick plastic with a clear shade tint.

Before the revolving cutter, quilters followed carefully-assembled layouts of typical shapes onto the opposite side of the textiles that they were using. The included ¼-inch in this kit recompenses all round.

Formats were frequently made of a high-quality grain box while cardboard and pencil edge with rehashed tracings, which rendered them off base. New layouts were made for circumstances when new interwoven pieces needed to be cut.

Pieces were traditionally cut individually, using dressmaking scissors. This tool regularly tired textile workers, however, because of their long, sharp edges intended for cutting large articles of clothing.

These proved unmanageable while cutting smaller pieces for interwoven fabrics, and sometimes they would have to fold the fabric in an undesirable way to achieve the proper cut.

The turning cutter developed quickly as a useful, fast and broad tool among quilters and, alongside advancements in strip methods, changed sewing forever. We’re pleased to have this wonderfully useful item in our inventory.

Features

The Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set complements other apprentice tools. Experienced sewers, stitchers, and quilters always choose to use the best products and equipment, especially when measuring and cutting possibly expensive textiles.

Our Classic Stick Rotary Cutters has a 45mm sharp edge, ideal for cutting various layers of textiles. The included Cutting Mat offers extra work space and outlives other mats. The Acrylic Ruler makes measuring exact and easy, whether you’re making straight cuts or squares. This three-piece set comes as an excellent present for anybody’s first sewing and knitting experience.

The package dimensions are 19.6 inches by 26.5 inches, and total package weight is just over four pounds. The manufacturer recommends storing the included mat flat, and away from sunlight, heat and cold. The mat can be cleaned with warm water and mild soap, and a lifetime warranty is included with all tools.

Pros

The Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set has earned 4.7 out of 5 stars in online ratings. Real customers who have shared their experiences after purchasing had many positive things to say about the kit.

The Classic Stick Rotary Cutter features a rolling 45mm blade that cuts multiple layers and holds your fabric flat for accurate, straight cuts, all without any jagged edges. The extra large eighteen by twenty-four-inch cutting mat has an easy-to-read measuring grid and a self-healing, double-sided surface, which makes for lasting value.

The six by twenty-four inches clear acrylic ruler allows buyers to see where they are cutting, and the kit includes highlighted seam allowances for strip cutting as well as a grid for simplified shape cutting.

Cons

The negative feedback found regarding the Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set came from real customers who have purchased the product and shared their experience. Some customers found that the included ruler is marked with very fine lines, and is difficult for those hard of seeing to read.

Another concerned customer mentioned the visible part of the blade and thought that an added safety feature would be beneficial. Another customer found the slide button on the cutter to be difficult to operate. Although some negative aspects were mentioned in real customer reviews, these are complaints that are common for many other rotary cutters, rulers, and mats.

Price Comparison

The included cutter, mat and ruler make this set a great value when compared to the cost of purchasing these tools individually. This kit, when combined with shipping may still beat the compared cost.

Verdict

While most customers found this cutting set easy and handy to use, it is advised that quilters and sewers use caution with a rotary cutter. The product quality went unquestioned in real reviews, and overall there is a resounding, positive response from buyers.

After carefully dissecting the features of the Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set and based on real customer feedback, experts have concluded that this product remains to be one that is a solid purchase, and it comes highly recommended, as well.

As always, be sure to keep safety in mind when handling any sharp object, or when quilting or sewing for the first time.