Using a Fabric Circle Cutter for Perfect Circles
Tara RexDescription
Whether you are making yo-yos or planning out a rounded applique design, cutting circles can be a tedious process. Learn how to use a fabric circle cutter that makes cutting circles quick and easy.
Tools
When is comes to crafting and sewing shortcuts, there is usually a tool out there that can make a job easier. Tara Rex shows you how to use a fabric circle cutter to cut quick and easy circles in no time. She demonstrates how to use the tool and then explains its key parts. What makes the fabric circle cutter easy to use is that it can be done with one hand. Tara shows how you can simply hold on to the ratchet style handle of the tool, turn it in a clockwise direction, and cut a perfect circle. The tool doesn’t move while you are turning it because of a pointed tip that secures it in place. Like any other rotary cutter, this tool needs to be used with a rotary cutting mat, which is what helps hold the pointed tip in place. Another key part of the fabric circle cutter is the ratchet handle. Tara demonstrates how you can turn the tool and use the ratchet function to always keep your hand in a comfortable position.
Safety
This fabric circle cutter uses a rotary blade just like any other rotary cutter. Because of this it is important to remember to utilize the same safety measures with this tool that you would with a normal rotary cutter. The tool has a blade guard on it that should always be engaged when the tool is not in use. Also, remember to change your blades often so your tool always works efficiently. Seeing how quick and easy you can cut circles with this tool is just another reason why you need a rotary cutter in your sewing room to help you save time on your next project.
I want to share with you this great tool for cutting circles, perfect circles. I don't know how many hours I have sat cutting circles for a project by hand and going for a larger circle and it ending up to be small because I wanted it perfect and even. So this tool here, it cuts circles. It's got a rotary cutter here and it's got a pin in the center. It can cut circles and diameter ranging from one and seven eighths to eight and a half inches in diameter.
So that, you know, if you can imagine, it's a pretty big circle. So, and I'm going to not cut that big of a circle because I don't have that big of a piece of fabric, but here we go. So you can adjust it like you saw going back and forth and then you secure it with this little knob and you tighten it. This also has a safety feature to where the blade is covered with this piece and you just squeeze it and open it and be careful after that. So if you're working with scrap fabric, you're going to want to make sure that you are not going to be going over, as you can see, if I was to start right here, I would go over.
So I'm going to do it here and just make sure that I have enough and go from there. So like you just put it in the center there and you cut, and if you hear that clicking sound, it's a ratchet, and so the great thing about it is is that you don't have to manipulate the fabric or your hands. You can just twist it. Can you hear that? Twist it and go, and it makes a great circle.
There we are and there we go. So and, safety tip, you'll always want to make sure that the blade is covered when you're not using it, and then this pokey thing is pretty pokey as well. It's very sharp. So definitely be sure to cover that and happy circle-making.
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