Happy Monday! Where would quilting be today without the invention of the rotary cutter? Thankfully, we never have to know! Olfa is celebrating 35 years of rotary cutting this year. So, let's party! I have a little review and a free block pattern at the end of this post.
Olfa kindly sent over a package with a few products in it for me to try! Part of their celebration includes a commemorative quilt, so I put these tools through their paces making a block for it!
The guidelines for the block were pretty minimal, it had to be 6.5" and have yellow in it. I decided to take inspiration from the design of the rotary cutter, which surprisingly isn't much different from the very first rotary cutter! You can see a photo of it here. I drafted up my design in Illustrator and went with paper piecing for the construction.
The rotating cutting mat is too cool! It conveniently is the perfect size to fit between my sewing machine and iron, which is where I like to work when paper piecing. With all the trimming down, having the rotating mat is pretty handy. I know it will be useful for trimming down half-square triangles as well!
I don't generally work with 6.5" blocks, so having the tiny 28mm Rotary Cutter was great for cutting such small pieces and trimming the seam allowances while piecing. I tested it on the curved double wedding ring templates as well, and it handled the curves great! It will definitely come in handy for that project, which I'll share more about soon!
The final product to try out was a 6.5" Frosted Advantage Ruler. Now I'm not going to lie, I was pretty excited about this one! This is my favorite size of ruler, and I use them a TON. This may be my... fourth ruler of this size! The first two have had their corners worn down from use, so having another to add in to the mix is good! The frosted bit sticks nicely to the fabric, but is still easy to see through. I also really like the lines through every 1/2"!
The verdict? Olfa makes great products. I have been using their 45mm Quick Change Cutter (seen above), exclusively for a few years now and I love it. It is literally my perfect cutter. I do a lot of cutting, and unlike other cutters, it has never given me a single blister or sore. The handle is bigger than others which makes it easy for me to grip and squeeze, even with my arthritis. I will definitely use the 28mm for the odd project here and there, but the 45mm will remain my go-to!
Without further ado, here is my final block! Want to make one too? It would be really fun as is, done scrappy or done with four different fabrics. You can find the free pattern download here!
Need a paper piecing refresher? See my tutorial here.
Happy Sewing!
My favorite would probably have to be my rotary cutter. If I had to cut everything with scissors I probably wouldn't quilt.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool remains my Olfa rotary cutter. I received my first one as a gift close to 35 years ago. They've changed the face of quilting and made the process easily accessible to so many sewists.
ReplyDeleteIt's gotta be the rotary cutter. As soneone who learned to quilt before they existed, I can tell you it's MUCH easier with the rotary cutters.
ReplyDeleteMy OLFA rotary cutter ; my 1st one was a different brand and it didn't work out well for me and I almost gave up using a rotary cutter ; but then I got an Olfa and it's all been good now ! ( the old one is still here , for paper ! ) I know I would not quilt if it were up to cutting with scissors !
ReplyDeleteI love my olfa cutter! I want to try their rotating mat!
ReplyDeleteI'm going with the popular sentiment...the rotary cutter! Can't imagine sewing without one!
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement with everyone else. My OLFA rotary cutters are the best tools ever! Thanks for the giveaway. Love your block.
ReplyDeleteI adore my quarter inch ruler.....so useful when paper piecing!
ReplyDeletemy favorite tool is the rotary cutter. I still remember cutting out quilt pieces with scissors and the novelty of using the rotary cutter for the first time instead of scissors.
ReplyDeleteI love my Olga rotating mat. Sew handy for trimming blocks.
ReplyDeleterotary cutter is essential !
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely be my rotary cutter!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of the square rulers too! I have a 3 1/2" square that I use all the time. Now I need to check out the frosted ones - non-slip would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteAs seems to be the concensus, the rotary cutter is also my fave. Can't imagine cutting quilt blocks with scissors, but I also find my 6 1/2 inch square ruler invaluable as well. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletei am new to sewing and am currently trying to teach myself how to sew and quilt. at this point, my favorite tool is my seam ripper!! hahaha
ReplyDeleteI just got an 18mm rotary cutter for curved templates. I love it. I have been coveting the rotating mat for a while!
ReplyDeleteMy giant "hardware" ruler.... I know they say to never use a rotary cutter against metal but I have been using this ruler for the past 10 years! It is AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with the rotary cutter. I could not do without it.
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutter too! I was surprised to learn they've been around since the '70's. Thanks for the neat giveaway, Jeni!
ReplyDeleteJust one favorite tool? I can't decide between the rotary cutter and mat. Because really, the cutter is no good without the mat! ;) Believe me, I've tried it on my granite countertop - that's a no no....
ReplyDeleteThe rotary cutter gets my vote as well. I made four quilts with scissors a long while back. It is laborious and so inaccurate. The rotary cutter is the best invention ever!! Thank you for the cute block tutorial as well as the giveaway opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI love the BlocLok ruler for squaring up HSTs. I use it so much.
ReplyDeletehah I JUST bought a teeny rotary cutter and can't believe how awesome it is for trimming tiny blocks, so it's my new favorite tool for sure :)
ReplyDeleteI can not live without my rotary cutter!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
Rotary cutter. No question. The first time I cut pieces for a quilt to with one, my life changed forever!
ReplyDeleteAside from the rotary cutter, my favorite is the 360° rotating mat. It makes trimming up HST and flying geese a breeze!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would be quilting as much if I didn't have a rotary cutter and mat.
ReplyDeleteMy rotary cutter and collection of mats of various sizes definitely make everything better. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool is my new mobile sewing center because it holds everything I need to take my sewing on the road. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI agree, my rotary cutter is my favorite tool. I could never cut as accurately or as much with sicisors.
ReplyDeleteI have been using Olfa cutters and rulers for years and love them. As both a quilter and rubber stamper I have an Olfa cutter that is reserved just for paper cutting which helps tremendously with accuracy when I am making greeting cards. Yea Olfa!
ReplyDeleteI'm old enough to remember quilting before Olfa introduced the rotary cutter. My favorite tool is my rotary cutter but I also can't live without my Olfa spinning mat.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to be without my rotary mat.
ReplyDeleteHi, I love my rotary cutter too>makes quilting much easier! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletemsstitcher1214@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway! I love using all of the various ruler sizes that I have been slowly collecting, but I can't leave out my trusty seam ripper! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Jeni! Thanks for the giveaway. I love my binding clips and my Olfa cutter!
ReplyDeleteIt would have to be the rotary cutter...and then of course the mat and rulers to go with it. Love your block and that you modeled it after the rotary cutter. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love the rotary cutter - specifically the quick change cutter. Before I got that I used to dread changing blades.
ReplyDeleteThose new frosted rulers look cool. My new favorite tool is the seam ripper with the eraser on top.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quilting tools are the rotary cutter, mat, and rulers.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool is my seam ripper with the rubber end - helps me brush away stray threads. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quilting tool is my rotary cutter.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is definitely my rotary cutter. I don't think I'd want to be a quilter without it!
ReplyDeleteMy rotary cutter. I can't imagine having to hand cut all of my pieces out with scissors - it would wreak havoc on my carpal tunnel.
ReplyDeleteAside from my sewing machine (because if I had to sew a quilt by hand, it just wouldn't happen), my rotary cutter and mat. I like the idea of a non-slip ruler, that would be very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThe rotary cutter and mat are the BEST tools ever! I also like the square rulers and rotating mats. If I had to choose another it's my design wall. I love putting blocks out to make sure I like the layout before stitching the blocks together.
ReplyDeleteWell, of course I love my rotary cutter and mat. But just to be different, I'll mention another tool I love -- my wooden wallpaper seam roller. I use it anywhere I might have finger pressed before and sometimes even use it in place of my iron. Very handy.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quilting tool would have to be the thread cutter. I can't even begin to imagine the quilting world without the rotary cutter and mat. That would be like starting all over again, back to the basics. Thank you and Olfa for the wonderful opportunity to win and for that tutorial. Gotta love Olfa.
ReplyDeleteSandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
Besides my rotary cutter and mat, I love my thread snips.
ReplyDeleteI have an Olfa Comfort Grip rotary cutter and I love it!
ReplyDeleteBesides my rotary cutter, my seam ripper gets a lot of use.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I took my first quilting class (30+ yrs ago!), the cutter I got was an off brand something or other...I felt so well equipped when I broke down and replaced the off brand with an Olfa! Still have it, still love it!!!! I also love my little 6 1/2 in ruler I got for trimming hsts for your HST BOM! :)
ReplyDeleteI love my clover chalk liner and clips!! your block is great!
ReplyDeleteRotary cutter for me also!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE my rotary cutter as well but I Think my most used tool is my new cutting mat. I was probably killing my rotary cutter cutting fabric on a cutting board but it was the only think I had. I finally went out and bought a small cutting mat to do some real cutting. The rotating cutting board would be fantastic as I am left handed and often line my fabric up the wrong way. :)
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutter but would not want to trim another HST without a rotating mat. Thanks Olfa!
ReplyDeleteI have a quilting ruler that hooks onto the end of my cutting mat to anchor it. I love that because it doesn't slide or shift when I am using it. I may have to replace it, and I hope I can find another one just like it!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite would have to be my Olfa rotary cutters, then my Olfa mats, then my Olfa rulers. I'm an Olfa gal all the way.
ReplyDeleteFavorite tool? I have to say the Internet, where I can always find new techniques, new fabrics, and new inspiration. The ability to meet and share ideas with like-minded folks all over the world has revolutionized quilting.
ReplyDeleteI love my 60 mm Olfa cutter for long cuts. N
ReplyDeleteRotary cutter!!!
ReplyDeleteNext to my rotary cutter, my top fav quilting tool is my set if Clover Wonder Clips. They have saved my hands during many nights of hand stitching binding on quilts!
ReplyDeleteWhile the most useful is my Olfa rotary cutter my favorite is my swiveling cutting board from Olfa. It's so nice to move the cutting mat and not have to lift what I'm working on!
ReplyDeleteI love your block! Thanks for sharing the template. My favorite quilting tool is definitely the rotary cutter. I don't think my pieces would be very good if I had to cut them with scissors :) Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool is my rotary cutter and mat, not an Olfa but I sure would love to have one. hanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE my Olfa rotary cutters as well as my rotating mat. Makes for perfect paper piecing blocks!
ReplyDeleteLove the flat headed quilting pins!
ReplyDeleteMy rotary cutter and it's an Olfa! I've tried other brands and they just match up to Olfa in my book. But I also have to have my mat along with my cutter!
ReplyDeleteNo question, the rotating cutting mat! The rotary cutter has been around longer then I've been sewing so I don't know any other way to cut. I even used it for making clothes. When I discovered the rotating cutting mat things got a whole lot simpler for quilting! Of the "new" tools this is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tools are my calculator, rulers and rotary cutter.
ReplyDeleteMy Olfa 45 mm rotary cutter is my favourite cutting tool - sometimes I use it for card and paper too, with an old blade.
ReplyDeleteMy Olfa ergonomic rotary cutters are my favorite - have one in 45mm & one in 60mm. Couldn't quilt without them. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy rulers!! I love being able to see everything! Oh and my rotary cutter and mat. Lol guess I have a few favorites.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's just gotta be my Olfa! Thanks for the chance. I love your block!
ReplyDeleteOther than my rotary cutter I love basting spray, not sure if some would consider it a tool but to me it is a lifesaver as I don't have floor space to properly baste with pins.
ReplyDeleteOther than my rotary cutter, my favorite tool is the June Tailor Perfect HST/QST ruler. Can't live without it!
ReplyDeleteMy Gingher snips.always by my machine!
ReplyDeleteRotary cutter of course!
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutter. It makes cutting so much easier.
ReplyDeleteMy Olfa cutter is the one tool I cannot do without. I have 3 of them.
ReplyDeleteMy Olfa Splash rotary cutter is my most often used and favorite quilting tool. I love the way it looks as much as the way it works.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if its my favourite tool, but I always seem to need to rescue my cutting mat from my husband. He likes to use it for other projects and I just want to keep mine pristine.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if I could pick between my rotary cutter and mat - love them both!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quilting tool is my rotary cutter
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool is my cutting mat!
ReplyDeleteNext to my rotary cutters, I love my 2.5 inch ruler!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quilting tool is my Featherweight. b.j.day68atgmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine quilting without my rotary cutter and rulers. But other than that my Machinger gloves are my favorite quilting tool.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I would do without the rotary cutter! I suppose my iron is my next favorite quilting item.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool has got to be the rotary cutters. they make , making a quilt go so much faster.
ReplyDeleteLove my rotary cutter and rotating cutting board
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to pick a favorite, but lately I have appreciated how crisp Mary Ellen's Best Press makes the fabric. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutter! I just bought a new one after 20 years!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tools go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly. Without one, the other is useless, so I have to pick two. They are my rotary cutter and mat. I guess I should have said three, because you have to have a ruler too. cdahlgren at live dot com.
ReplyDeleteRotary cutter, I couldn't be a quilter without it.(could but wouldn't want to)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately my favorite tool is my seam ripper.
ReplyDeleteI love my Olfa squeeze handle rotary cutter! I've been wanting to try the smaller 28 size for smaller circle templates.
ReplyDeleteAs an appliquer my favorite tool has been my needle threader! It's terrible to not be able to see the really fine thread and tiny little eye! But, I also love all the bells and whistles--of course a rotary cutter, a cutting mat-next I want a rotating little mat--oh I can go on!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool is my aqua handled Olfa rotary cutter!
ReplyDeleteI was soooo excited when I first saw a rotary cutter... and I still have it ! Vintage :-D
ReplyDeletezanalou999@gmail.com
O love my rotary cutter too. And it wouldn't be much good without the 12X12 rotating cutting mat that I use constantly and fits nice and neat next to my machine.
ReplyDeletenaraognbets@gmail.com
Hard to choose between the rotary cutters and the rotating mat. Both are essential for quilting.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to agree with all the others... I can't imagine quilting without my rotary cutters! I have all the sizes! :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quilting tool is a set: my Olfa rotary cutter paired with my cutting mat!
ReplyDeleteNo question...love my Olfa rotary cutters(yes, more than one size!) and mats(yep, more than one size) !
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutter! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteOf course, my favorite is my Olfa 45mm cutter. I have had it for a very long time. A new one would be nice. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteMy rotary cutter is my favorite quilting tool . Scissors take too long .
ReplyDeletePick me. Pick me. ☆ thank you for hosting. Gonna try this block. Thanks for the pattern. Mrscummings2u at Gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI must say that my Olfa rotary cutter is my favorite tool. Many years ago I made my first quilt with directions from a women's magazine. It was a Trip Around the World and it called for 4" squares. I hand marked and cut all of the squares for a king sized quilt with scissors. Not long after I heard about the new Olfa rotary cutter!
ReplyDeleteMy rotary cutter of course! I've had it for 25 years and it's still going strong.
ReplyDeleteMy rotary cutter, for sure! It is an Olfa 45 mm and was my mother's. It is more than 20 years old and still works like a charm. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI still use the Olfa cutter i bought 17 years ago when i first started quilting. My second favorite is my rotating cutting mat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win.
My favorite tool is my seam ripper...and my rotary cutter, lol. I can't choose. :) Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteMy Olfa cutter! I love my cutter and mat, couldn't do it any other way! Thats a cool looking block, thanks for the fun post and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love many of my tools. My absolute favorite is my seam ripper. My brother is a wood turner and he made it for me. It is made from wood from his wife's dad's property which is across the road from the one-room school we attended. It appeared in the mailbox one day when I was really down last year after my husband died. That makes it very, very special.
ReplyDeleteThe rotary cutter is my favorite tool! carolann427@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI have quite a few fav tools but where would we be if we didn't have the rotary cutter that led to another way of cutting and piecing quilts.
ReplyDeleteI have an Olfa splash rotary cutter. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI love the ease of cutting that resulted from the rotary cutter (hate using scissors for lots of pieces!), so I'd say the rotary cutter/mat is one of my faves. Close second: seam ripper!
ReplyDeleteI love my hand-quilting needles and my thimble!! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI really like those little red binding clips!! Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome prize package :)
ReplyDeleteI think that without a rotary cutter (mat and rulers too) making quilts would be a lot more complicated and time consuming. So, I'd have to say my rotary cutter is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many useful quilting tools but I have to say that I probably never would have started quilting in the first place had it not been for rotary cutters and acrylic rulers. Olfa brand has been my favorite for years and I use several different sizes of each depending on what I'm working on.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite, couldn't do without, quilting tool is my Olfa rotary cutter. .
ReplyDeleteI love my Olfa rotary cutter. A year or so ago I saw the pinking blade on sale and bought it. It is such a fun extra tool for my cutter- I don't use the pinking blade nearly as often as the regular blade, but when I do, it makes me SO happy! Fingers crossed for this great giveaway! buffy AT dblawoffices (DOT) com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool is definitely my Olfa 45 mm splash rotary cutter! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win:)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool is my rotary cutter! I made my first quilt with scissors and didn't quilt again for 25 years, when I discovered the rotary cutter.
ReplyDeleteI love the Olfa deluxe ergonomic rotary cutters. I have both, the 45mm and 60mm, but use the 60mm most often. Thanks for tutorial and thanks Olfa for the goodies.
ReplyDeletethanks for the opportunity, and without the cutter mat and rotary cutter I would not be quilting. Knowing that the old quilts my grandmothers made, were made with scissors, is mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteI could not live without my OLFA ergonomic rotary cutter. Way back when Olfa came out with their rotary cutters, my quilting changed forever. I would love to try the Olfa rotating cutting mat.
ReplyDeleteOh, my OLFA rotary cutter! And my cutting mat and rulers--
ReplyDeleteI have to say my favorite tool is the Olfa rotary cutter (and 24" grid) - makes it a snap to whack 4" off a prom dress!
ReplyDeleteI do use the Olfa cutters but find I do better with the 60mm. Thanks for the opportunity to win?
ReplyDeleteIt's gotta be my self-threading needles for these 66 year old eyes--plus my rotary cutter!
ReplyDeleteI use my Olfa rulers and cutter ALL the time. Wouldn't sew without them.
ReplyDeleteI love my Olfa rotating cutting mat. It is so great for trimming blocks (with my Olfa rotary cutter!)
ReplyDeletetstanulis@verizon.net
I love my Olfa rotary cutter and 6x24" ruler!
ReplyDeleteI love my Olfa 6x 24 inch ruler... love the frosted aspect, really helps.
ReplyDeleteThe mini Olfa cutting mat..perfect size for lying next to my machine for quick small cuts, vs getting up and running to my large cutting area.
ReplyDeleteJeni , thanks so much for the Olfa Block tutorial, super easy and I appreciate that.
My favorite thing is my HUGE cutting mat. I got the larger one this summer and I absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteRotating mat is a great tool.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to pick one, because so many things like the rotary cutter make quilting easier. But I think my favorite is my stylus, because it helps me keep my seams matched up perfectly as they go under the presser foot. In the end, that's what everybody sees.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quilting tool is my sewing machine.
ReplyDeleteI love my rulers! Also my rotary cutter and mat.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching Eleanor Burns my stiletto has become my favorite goody! Thanks for the giveaway and your block is so pretty :)
ReplyDeleteI gotta say it's my rotary cutter and mat. Couldn't live without them! Thanks for the giveaway :-)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool is my Clover Wonder Clips....the regular and large ones are amazing!
ReplyDeleteHas to be my rotary cutter. Life would be sad without it.
ReplyDeleteMy Favorite has to be my Olfa rotary cutter and Mat. I have the larger cutter, but I can see I should give the smaller one a try too.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that my favorite quilting tools are my various pairs of "cheater glasses." Without these, I would never be able to see my work adequately. I don't have any Olfa tools, but am excited for the opportunity to win some. Happy Anniversary Olfa.
ReplyDeleteWell my seam ripper comes in very handy, but I couldn't quilt without my rotary cutter and mat. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteRotary cutter is by far my favorite tool, along with a non slip ruler. I remember getting a blister on my thumb from the handle of the scissors. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI love the rotating mat! b.j.day68atgmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteI won an Olfa cutter a few years ago and it's my favorite! I actually need to get a new blade so I can start using it again.
ReplyDeleteBesides my cutter and rulers? I'm really loving my rubber thimble things right now. They are wonderful for hand binding!
ReplyDeleteMy sewing machine is my favorite tool. I have 4 and a Serger! I love Olfa products. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteThe rotaray cutter has to be my favorite tool. Without it I doubt I would ever have started quilting!
ReplyDeleteI love my Kwik Klip for fast pin basting without blisters!
ReplyDeleteJust one? I guess it's going to have to be the rotary cutter. I started a quilt 28 years ago when I was first married and I didn't use a rotary cutter. Needless to say, it was never finished and I finally donated the parts and pieces to Goodwill a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteMy quarter-inch tool that attaches to my machine is right up there at the top, having equal billing with my rotary cutter!!
ReplyDeleteRight now I am making two t-shirt quilts out of a friend's 10 year collection of cancer T-shirts. She recently passed and her mother asked me to make the quilts for her sons. So my favorite tool right now besides my rotary cutter is my 15 inch square cutter.
ReplyDeletekdavis1@centurytel.net
I can't imagine being a quilter without my rotary cutter! Having to cut everything with scissors wouldn't be fun.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tool HAS to be my Olfa Rotary Cutter....of course use seam ripper way more often sometimes..but is NOT a favorite tool! giggle....
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutter, mat and ruler! I actually use Olfa!
ReplyDeleteLove my 60 rotary cutter
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is my leather thimble. Thanks! sarah@forrussia.org
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary utter! I'm old enough to remember the days before they were available!
ReplyDeleteI love my rotary cutter and it's mate Matt. haha. fran.daoust@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThe olfa rotary cutter for sure. When I started quilting we were still using scissors and cereal box cardboard.
ReplyDelete