PLEASE HELP my rotary cutter hates me

[mylittle4]

I am wanting to make a quilt for my niece for xmas and I have never done this. I bouht a dritz rotary cutter and a cutting mat, but when I try to cut even the thinnest material it doesn't cut through please tell me what I am doing wrong.

[homesteadmamma]

First of all congratulations on making a quilt for a gift. They are so neat to receive.

In regards to cutting with a rotary cutter. Do you have a hard plastic (acrylic) ruler in order to use with your cutter. The omnigards are the best but you can pick up a ruler from Walmart for a decent price. Make sure the ruler is acrylic though has other rulers tend to bend to easy and make for inaccurate cuts.

Second, always make sure you have a sharp blade in your cutter. Only cut material with it, not even batting for your quilt. Change your blade often.

Now, after checking these out, place your material on your mat. You can double it up but not more because if you do, it will undercut the bottom piece of material. Hold your ruler firmly in place and starting at the bottom of the material, cut. Make sure your cutter is next to your ruler (quilting ruler only) and press firmly and evenly. Also remember, ALWAYS CLOSE your cutting tool after each use. They are sharp and can do serious damage if your cut with them.

HTH

[Kimmomo3]

i did this but make sure your blade is open, there is a button to push or somthing to slide to get the blade out.

DH got a big laugh when I was having fit cuz my new cutter wasn't cutting. I hadn't opened it