Cutting curves requires a little more care, but once you've mastered it, you'll never go back to using scissors again! I'll only lay and cut one piece at a time with a rotary cutter. It makes it simpler to see what you're doing and makes it less likely that you'll cut into anything you don't want to.
Once everything is in position, gently place your rotary cutter along the edge and cut slowly. I cannot emphasise this more. The faster you go (at least when you initially start cutting this method), the more likely you are to veer off track and cut something you didn't intend to cut.
Here are some of my opinions on tool preferences. When cutting out garments, you're more likely to encounter minor curves, therefore a smaller diameter cutter is more handy. With the smaller cutter, you're less likely to lose control and chop off part of your pattern. I prefer the 28mm size, such as this one.
In addition, I prefer a thicker, softer mat. If you're cutting with a ruler, the cheaper, thinner plastic-y ones are OK, but a thicker one is ideal for cutting patterns. It slows down your slicer, allowing you to be more exact. Because I exclusively cut swimwear and lingerie with a rotary cutter, this 18 x 24 size works perfectly for me.
The larger the blade size, the more fabric you can cut at once and at a faster rate. If you know you'll be cutting yards and yards of fabric, a 60 mm rotary cutter is a good choice. A 28 mm rotary cutter is mostly used for creating small cuts or cutting curves. The 45 mm rotary cutter is the best pick if you only need one rotary cutter for almost all applications. This is large enough to handle a lot of cutting yet still workable for more intricate tasks.
Make it a habit to close the safety shield after each cut so that the blade is protected by the plastic cover. As you remove the cutter away from the cloth, close it immediately so it doesn't fall and injure your fabric, bare feet, or, worse, a pet or child. In general, keep the rotary cutter away from youngsters and out of their reach at all times, and store it carefully.
You'll find a list of the pieces you'll need to cut at the start of the pattern instructions. Rotary cutting can be used on any rectangular component. Simply place a single layer of fabric on your cutting mat, with the selvage parallel to the mat's bottom. Align your ruler's long edge to the left along the mat measurement you wish to cut at. Place your hand firmly in the centre of the ruler and spread your fingers, curling them slightly to secure the ruler. You roll a rotary cutter along the ruler's right edge from bottom to top.
Make long, clean cuts using a pair of sharp sewing shears while cutting with scissors. The same is true with pinking shears, which feature a zigzag edge and are useful for working with fraying textiles or around curved edges. Small sewing shears cut more precisely when cutting notches or clipping curves.
The 45mm blade is the most commonly found size. It is intended for modest to medium-sized sewing and quilting applications. A 60mm blade will cut through more layers and cut larger projects. It is more commonly used for larger quilting projects than for sewing garments.
As a general rule, the smaller blade handles curves and corners better, while the larger blade plainly handles more fabric at once. To minimise accidents and achieve the best results, try to use the suitable blade for the project. Depending on what you sew on a regular basis, you may require more than one size cutter.
Rotary cutters save time and provide a better cut edge. For curves, use a small size. This is another place where I've never returned. I have excellent dressmaker's shears that I use occasionally, but not when cutting unless I need to clip corners. The only exception was when I was creating jeans. I loved using my shears for that. I'm not sure why the cloth weight influenced my decision on that project.
Rotary cutters are available in a variety of diameters, ranging from 18mm to 45mm blades, and are ideal for making lengthy, straight cuts. Quilters adore them for their quickness and precision. A rotary cutter must be used with a protection pad underneath the area being cut due to the sharp blade. When cutting lengthy straight edges, they work best when combined with a ruler that serves as an edge guide.
Some garment sewers use rotary cutters to cut out patterns, although their nature makes them difficult to utilise around tight curves. Use a smaller blade to cut tight armholes and neckline curves; larger blades for longer, straighter parts like skirt side seams and hemlines.