A rotary cutter is a handheld cutting tool with a circular blade. It looks a little like a pizza cutter, but the blade is extremely sharp and designed specifically for cutting fabric. You roll the blade across the fabric rather than opening and closing blades as you would with scissors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rotary cutters are commonly used alongside:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Self-healing cutting mats<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Quilting rulers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pattern weights<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Acrylic templates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Together, these tools allow you to cut fabric quickly and accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gursewingmachines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/OLFA-Rotary-Cutter-on-a-Quilting-Mat-1024x683.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Are Fabric Scissors?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fabric scissors or dressmaking shears are specifically designed for cutting textiles. They’re different from ordinary household scissors. Good dressmaking scissors have sharp blades capable of cutting fabric cleanly without pulling, snagging or distorting the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two sizes cover most needs. A 10″ pair is built for cutting out fabric and handles it effortlessly, while an 8″ pair is the more versatile everyday choice, light enough to keep by the machine and still capable of cutting out, clipping notches and grading seams. Blade finish matters too: a micro-serrated blade grips better for detailed work, while a traditional knife-edge blade suits general fabric shearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most important sewing-room rules is: don’t use your fabric scissors for paper. Paper and other materials gradually dull the blades, making them less effective when you return to cutting fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gursewingmachines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Fiskars-Scissors-in-a-Colorful-Sewing-Studio-1024x683.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFiskars Razor Edge Softgrip Scissors 21cm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Cuts Fabric Faster?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For long straight lines, the rotary cutter usually wins. Place your fabric on a cutting mat, position a quilting ruler and run the cutter along the edge. You can create a long, straight cut in seconds, particularly useful when you need to cut lots of identical pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With scissors, every cut requires repeatedly opening and closing the blades. For occasional sewing, that isn’t a problem. But if you’re cutting dozens or hundreds of patchwork pieces, the difference becomes noticeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Is More Accurate?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For straight lines and geometric shapes, a rotary cutter can provide excellent accuracy. Using an acrylic quilting ruler allows you to measure and cut simultaneously, one reason rotary cutters are so popular with quilters. If you need fifty identical squares, you want every one to be as accurate as possible, since small cutting errors can accumulate as your quilt grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Is Better for Quilting?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For most quilters, we’d choose a rotary cutter. Quilting involves cutting large numbers of squares, rectangles, strips, triangles, borders and binding strips. A rotary cutter, cutting mat and quilting ruler make this type of repetitive geometric cutting much faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That doesn’t mean quilters don’t need scissors. You’ll still want scissors for trimming thread and performing smaller cutting jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Is Better for Dressmaking?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where the answer becomes less straightforward. Traditional dressmaking shears are excellent for cutting pattern pieces, particularly those involving curves and detailed shapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, many dressmakers now prefer rotary cutters. Using a rotary cutter with pattern weights means you don’t necessarily need to pin the paper pattern to the fabric. You can place the pattern on the material, hold it in position with weights and cut around it, particularly useful with fabrics that distort easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, dressmaking is an area where personal preference plays a large part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gursewingmachines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Colorful-Sewing-Workspace-with-Scissors-1024x683.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSartoria Ring Lock Dressmaker Shears<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rotary Cutter for Straight Lines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where a rotary cutter really excels. Using a ruler as a guide, you can quickly create extremely straight cuts. It’s ideal for quilt blocks, fabric strips, binding, bag making, patchwork, home furnishings and straight pattern pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If most of your cutting involves straight lines, a rotary cutter is an excellent investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scissors for Curves<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scissors give you excellent control when cutting curves. You can gradually rotate the fabric as you work your way around a curved pattern piece, useful for armholes, necklines, curved seams, small pattern pieces and detailed shapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A smaller rotary cutter can also handle curves, but many beginners find scissors easier for intricate areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cutting Multiple Layers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A sharp rotary cutter can cut through several fabric layers at once, depending on the material and blade size. This can save a huge amount of time when quilting, for example carefully stacking several layers of quilting cotton and cutting multiple identical strips simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, accuracy is important. If the layers shift, you could ruin several pieces at once. Start with fewer layers until you’re confident in your technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Is Better for Stretch Fabric?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A rotary cutter can be extremely useful for stretch materials such as jersey. Scissors can lift and move the fabric slightly as the blades open and close, whereas a rotary cutter lets the fabric remain flat on the cutting mat while you cut around the pattern. Combined with pattern weights, this can reduce distortion. The ruler itself does the stabilising, holding the fabric in place rather than just guiding the blade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you regularly make T-shirts, leggings and other jersey garments, a rotary cutter is definitely worth trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Is Better for Slippery Fabric?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same principle applies to slippery fabrics. Materials that move easily can become distorted while you’re cutting with scissors. Keeping the fabric completely flat on a cutting mat and using pattern weights with a rotary cutter can give you greater control. Take your time and make sure the fabric is correctly aligned before cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rotary cutters do become more cumbersome around a pinned pattern piece, since pins create an uneven surface for the ruler to sit against, which is where scissors remain the more practical choice for pattern-based dressmaking cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Size Rotary Cutter Do I Need?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rotary cutters come in different blade sizes. Common options include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- 18mm<\/strong>: precision work, appliqu\u00e9, intricate curves, detailed pattern pieces, tight turns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 28mm<\/strong>: a versatile middle ground for gentle curves, trimming blocks and smaller projects like bags and accessories.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 45mm<\/strong>: the most widely used, general-purpose size. Strip cutting, block trimming, squaring up and everyday piecing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 60mm<\/strong>: heavy-duty, cutting through multiple fabric layers or thicker materials, needing fewer passes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For someone buying their first rotary cutter, a 45mm model is usually a good all-round choice. You can always add smaller or larger cutters later if your projects require them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You Need a Cutting Mat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike scissors, a rotary cutter can’t simply be used on your dining table. You need an appropriate cutting surface. A self-healing cutting mat protects your furniture and helps preserve the cutter blade, genuinely resealing after each cut rather than scarring permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mats come in a range of sizes. Larger mats, around 24″ x 36″, suit patchwork and dressmaking, while compact options around A4 size suit limited spaces and are more affordable. Buy the largest mat that comfortably fits your sewing area and budget, a larger mat means you can position more of your fabric without constantly moving it. Look for angled grid lines (45\u00b0 and 60\u00b0) if you’re doing patchwork, and enough thickness to stand up to years of repeated cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gursewingmachines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Teal-Self-Healing-Cutting-Mat-Grid-1024x683.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSelf healing cutting mat<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You Also Need a Quilting Ruler<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re using a rotary cutter for patchwork, a good acrylic ruler is almost essential. The ruler allows you to measure your fabric while also providing a solid straight edge for the rotary blade. Transparent quilting rulers let you see the fabric underneath and line everything up accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quality shows in the acrylic itself: a thicker ruler (around 3mm) resists chipping and warping over time, and laser-cut, accurately printed markings stay precisely true, where a cheaper ruler can be very slightly out at the edges, throwing off every cut made against it. A long strip ruler (commonly 6″ x 24″) and a square ruler (commonly 12.5″) are two of the most useful sizes to start with. Always check any ruler used with a rotary cutter is actually rated for rotary cutting; an ordinary ruler’s edge won’t hold up to repeated blade contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For quilting, the combination of rotary cutter, cutting mat and quilting ruler is difficult to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- 28mm<\/strong>: a versatile middle ground for gentle curves, trimming blocks and smaller projects like bags and accessories.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 18mm<\/strong>: precision work, appliqu\u00e9, intricate curves, detailed pattern pieces, tight turns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gursewingmachines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/OLFA-Rotary-Cutter-on-a-Quilting-Mat.png\")
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