My Mama Always Says: Where years of experience and bits of quilting wisdom guide me on my quilting journey.
My Mama Always Says: “They (rotary cutters) are sharp.”
At least they should be. Through the years, I’ve found that some fabrics (or maybe fabric finishes) seem to dull the blades faster than others and I seem to be changing those blades more often than I want. A sharp rotary blade makes cutting so much easier and faster. But what can one do if no new blade is at hand?
I’ve been sharpening my scissors for years by snipping thru aluminum foil.
To sharpen a scissors quickly, just snip thru a sheet of aluminum foil a few times.
As I was cutting the 1.5″ squares for my postage stamp quilt today I said to myself, “I wonder if my rotary cutter blades can be sharpened in the same way?”
A sharp blade makes the cutting job easier and faster.
So I grabbed some foil and gave it a try. I laid the foil on the mat and made several cuts with the rotary cutter.
I should close the blade too before laying it on the table. This open blade has become a bad habit for me. After all, my mama’s advice also pertains to preventing an accidental cut from an open blade.
Sure enough. It worked. I am now sure I can prolong the life of the blade by using this method to sharpen it. Maybe you can too.
What I Learned Today:
- Aluminum foil will sharpen rotary blades as well as scissors.
- My Mama is very wise.
Question: How do you sharpen your scissors and rotary blades?
Linking to:
Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl for Tips and Tutorials
Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
Myra at Busy Hands Quilt for Finished or Not Friday.
Beth at Cooking Up Quilts for Main Crush Monday.
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 
What a fantastic tip, I will definitely give it a try. Thank you so much for sharing and linking up.
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I’ve been sharpening my scissors like this for years. Kind of made sense to give it a try to sharpen the rotary blades too and it worked. I’ve been happily cutting all afternoon.
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Wow! Thanks! I had no idea. I have always used rotary blades way too long, even when I’m frustrated by that little burr that skips a thread with every rotation. Why do I do that?! My scissors came in a hard plastic sleeve with a built in sharpener, so all I have to do is draw the blades over it–when I remember to.
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That little burr thing on the rotary cutters makes me frustrated too. I’ve read that the skipped thread is from a nick that has developed on the blade from running into the ruler or dropping on the floor without closing. Yes, that is experience talking.
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Such good tips, this may save a trip to the store and save time for your projects too.
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Thanks. My Mama is very wise. I think I’m going to check out my older blades that I saved in a plastic bottle to see if I can reuse some of them.
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Great tip. Thanks
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You are welcome. I hope it works for you.
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oh this is cool! I never sharpen my blades, I use then until I really can’t or mustn’t anymore and then store them somewhere. I shall definitely try this! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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I know I am digging out all my old blades to sharpen them so I can use them some more. I really don’t like changing blades so this will help stall that process.
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Oh my gosh that’s brilliant! Whoop whoop for a fabulous tip!! Now I’m off to go get some foil from the kitchen…
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Thanks. After trying it, it seemed like a “no brainer” idea. I hope it works for you. At least it prolongs the life of the blade for awhile.
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Thank you for the tip! Definitely using this method! I’ve purchased the sharpener as well. I will have to let you know how well it worked or whether it didn’t!
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You are welcome! I hope it’s working for you.
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You are welcome. I hope it works for you. It’s a quick fix.
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I’ve never sharpened a rotary blade, but this might help me keep from changing them so often. I have two cutters – one for trimming after quilting (cutting through batting), and one for cutting fabric. I find that batting dulls a blade fast! Thanks for the tip, I’m going to go give it a try!
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Thanks for the tip. I was wondering why my blades seem to dull and that might be it. I have several cutters so I could keep one for cutting the sandwiches (quilting ones that is).
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That’s a great tip Karen. I have a lovely little pair of scissors I have had for years which just don’t cut so well any more, and who doesn’t want to extend the like of their rotary cutter blade? I am definitely trying this one. today!
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Have you had a chance to try out this tip?
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I’ll have to give this a try.
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Thanks for stopping by. I hope it helps.
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