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A rotary fabric cutter is pretty much essential in any fabric crafter’s kit, allowing you to easily cut patterns and shapes from fabric.
A rotary cutter features a circular, top-mounted blade, rather like a pizza cutter, which is placed directly onto the fabric. (Make sure your fabric is on top of a good-quality cutting mat!) The user then guides the cutter using the handle, effortlessly cutting circles, arcs, and intricate shapes, which would be clumsy and complicated to manage with scissors.
If you are left-handed, make sure you purchase a rotary cutter that is designed for left-handed use, otherwise the blade will obscure the line of your cut, meaning you won’t easily be able to see if you need to correct your course. Fortunately, there are plenty of left-handed rotary cutters available, alongside the right-handed variant.
The 5 Best Rotary Fabric Cutters
#5: Clover 45mm Rotary Cutter
This is an ergonomic rotary cutter, suitable for use by both left and right-handed individuals. The blade is sharp, and cuts midweight and thin fabric easily and cleanly. However, the blade does have a tendency to come loose.
Pros:
- Ergonomic
- Suitable for both left and right-handed
- Sharp
Cons:
- Loose blade
Value For Money?
This is an affordable rotary cutter, and would be a good purchase as a back up. The issues with the blade make it a little unsuited to regular use.
- Clover rotary cutter soft cushion 45mm
- Clover rotary cutters are designed to cut fabric with just the right amount of blade exposed, whether held upright or at an angle
- These blades have a practical soft-cushion handle that fits right in your Hand
#4: Olfa 9551 Straight Handle Rotary Cutter
This is an easy to use rotary cutter that is suitable for either left or right-handed individuals. Its small design makes it ideal for smaller pieces of fabric, and for cutting tight corners and curves.
This would be an ideal addition to the craft box of someone who makes toys, allowing for greater flexibility in patterning, and thus a broader range of finished product.
This rotary cutter would not suit larger projects, as its size would limit its performance.
Pros:
- Good for small projects and tight spaces
- Suitable for both left and right-handed individuals
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not suited to larger projects
Value For Money?
An affordable rotary cutter that is ideal for those working mostly or exclusively on smaller projects, who would value the flexibility this cutter offers.
- Includes 28mm rotary blade
- For both right and left-handed users
- Use on both fabric and paper
#3: Gingher 45mm Right-Handed Rotary Cutter
While this cutter is clearly not suitable for those who are left-handed, Gingher does offer a left-handed version of the same product.
This is a sturdy, sharp rotary cutter that can handle all types and thicknesses of fabric with ease. Its price does reflect its quality, but the brand has a solid reputation in the craft and sewing community, so you are definitely making a good investment purchase that will more than pay for itself over time.
Pros:
- Strong, sharp, and sturdy
- Cuts thicker fabric with ease
Cons:
- Not an ambidextrous cutter
Value For Money?
Higher priced than other rotary fabric cutters, but you definitely get what you pay for.
- Ideal for cutting multiple layers of fabric, paper, felt and even vinyl
- Unique design provides optimal blade visibility for both right- and left-handed users
- High-grade, precision-ground, stainless-steel 45 mm rotary blade automatically retracts when you release the handle for safety
#2: Olfa 45mm Deluxe Handle Rotary Cutter
This is an affordable, quality rotary cutter that can cut through multiple layers of fabric at once, making it ideal for crafters working in volume.
It is designed for right-handed use, and features a dual action safety lock, giving you peace of mind if your crafting space is shared with children.
This is a well-designed rotary fabric cutter that would be an ideal and affordable addition to almost any craft box.
Pros:
- Dual action safety lock
- Cuts multiple layers of fabric
- Well designed
Cons:
Right-handed only(Update – the new version is ambidextrous!)
Value For Money?
If you’re right-handed, this rotary cutter could be exactly what you need in your craft box, especially if being able to cut through multiple layers of fabric simultaneously is something that would save you time, and make your life easier overall.
- RAZOR SHARP 60MM ROTARY BLADE - The RTY-3/DX comes preloaded with the OLFA 60mm Endurance Blade (RB60H) provides unparalleled sharpness,...
- SQUEEZE TRIGGER HANDLE - Easy squeeze handle exposes the blade and self-retracts for safety. The curved handle with anti-slip rubber grip...
- QUICK & EASY BLADE REPLACEMENT - OLFA's 60mm Rotary Cutter has a blade system that provides simple and safe blade changes. The dual-action...
#1: Fiskars 45mm Contour Rotary Cutter
While this is marketed as an ambidextrous rotary cutter, it is not comfortable to use if you are left-handed. It is also not particularly ergonomic for men, or those with very large hands.
However, if you are working with thin fabric, it can cut up to 16 layers of fabric at once, and offers the flexibility to truly come into its own on small projects, giving a clean cut even in tight patterns.
It also features a plastic safety shield, for added peace of mind.
Pros:
- Can cut through multiple layers of fabric (up to 16) simultaneously
- Flexible enough to perform well on small projects and tight patterns, as well as larger work
- Plastic safety shield
Cons:
- Not designed for left-handed individuals, or those with larger hands
Value For Money?
If you are a right-handed person with average or small hands, this is an affordable and versatile rotary cutter that will be the perfect addition to your sewing kit.
- Quality Tools for Arts and Crafts: From scissors and cutting mats, to rotary and paper cutters, to quilting and scrapbooking supplies,...
- Precision for every project: High-grade, precision-ground premium steel 45 mm rotary blade stays sharper longer than other rotary blades....
- Durable and Comfortable: Ergonomic loop handle feels natural in your hand for comfort and control. Sliding button extends blade during use,...
