Rotary cutters can be a fast and efficient way of cutting fabric in dressmaking and quilting but they are tools to treated with respect!
USE A RULER
Think of the ruler as a safety barrier between the blade and your fingers. Use one that is at least 1/4" thick so the blade won't jump onto the ruler and hit your hand during cutting.
REMEMBER... THE BLADE IS SHARP!
Obvious maybe, but be careful not to touch the edge even in passing as it can easily cut you.
CUT AWAY FROM YOURSELF
Pushing the blade away from you at all times is the safest move. If you were to pull the tool towards you and slip things and go horribly wrong!
CUT STANDING WHEREVER POSSIBLE
Using your body weight helps get a smooth, safe cut.
CUT ON A MAT
A self-healing mat helps the blade glide along evenly and safely. Cutting on an uneven surface could lead to the blade jumping and moveing unsafely.
APPLY EVEN PRESSURE
Using steady, even pressure will lead to smooth, consistent cuts. Practise makes perfect!
CLOSE THE SAFETY CATCH
Close the safety catch after each and every cut so that the blade is protected and unable to fall on feet/pets/small children (delete as applicable!)
KEEP IT SHARP
Dull blades can be more dangerous than sharp ones. Dull blades require more pressure making accidents more likely. Change blades regularly to avoid this possibility and keep your cutting as accurate as possible.
CHANGE BLADES CAREFULLY
As we've already mentione, blades don't last forever. Carefully undo the screw and replace the dull blade with a fresh one making sure any washers are put back in the right place. If you are uncertain how to change your blade safely, maybe your local quilt shop can help?
DISPOSE OF OLD BLADES SAFELY
Do not put old blades into the bin with their edges exposed. You could use heavy sticky tape to cover the blade to make it safer to dispose of..
When not in use store your cutter away from children or anyone that might not understand how sharp it is.