Got Rotary Skills?

It has recently come to our attention that not all sewers know how to use a to a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler.

Having these skills will be VERY helpful in sewing our patterns.

Come along with me now Grasshopper

and learn the ancient skills of the

Rotary Ninja.

These skills are highly sought after by many Sewing Grandmasters.

You must be willing to submit to the training,

and use your deepest concentration to become a Ninja.

We will now begin.

1.The first things you must learn are agility and flexibility.

You must stretch your body, and your mind with this yoga exercise.

....and Breath........

very good Grasshopper.

2. You must become one with the Ninja weaponry.

The Rotary Cutter with its very Ninja blade.

The Rotary Mat

and the nearly invisible See-Thru ruler.


3. The Ninja technique.

You basically have 2 rulers that you are using to help your measure.

Before you start cutting your pattern pieces, you need to square up your fabric. On this piece of fabric, the top and bottom were already straight. I could tell this when i put it on the cutting board. It sat straight on the horizontal lines. but, the ends didn't match up. The bottom is longer than the top. To fix this you align your ruler with the top and bottom of the fabric.

With one hand holding the ruler in place, grip the rotary in your other hand and roll it along the edge of the ruler. Make sure that you always cut AWAY from your body.


Magically, that fabric scrap is severed from its body.
Ninjas love to cut things.
Your fabric is now square, and ready to be cut.

Many pattern will only give you the measurements of the pieces you need....no pattern pieces. For a Ninja, this is not a problem.

The first piece we will cut is supposed to be 1.5" x 2.5"

On your ruler, locate the line that would equal 1.5"

Assume the proper Ninja Cutting Stance.

1-Always stand up when cutting.

2-Apply firm pressure to the ruler with one hand.

3-Grasp Rotary Cutter in the opposite hand.

4-Cut away from your body.

The fabric left under the ruler is 1.5" wide.

Now we need to cut that piece to 2.5" long.

You can either find the 2.5" on the ruler, or use the lines in the cutting mat. You must use the powers of concentration to decide what is best for you.

Cut Now.

See your perfectly cut fabric!

1-Align you fabric with the lines on the cutting board.

2-Square up your fabric.

3-Find measurement on ruler, or cutting mat.

4-Cut away from your body.

When you are a real Rotary Ninja
You will sometimes be able to make two cuts in only one step.

The cut below is 1.5" by 6.75". You only need to place the ruler on BOTH measurements and then make the cuts.

Grasshopper, You have completed your training. You may have to practice these steps to gain the proper skills.

Then you will become an Awesome Rotary Ninja.

(and you can wear the ninja suit if you want to)