Remember when I talked about the Olfa’s Compass Cutter I snagged a while back? While it was fab for cutting circles, it definitely had its quirks. Like, who else found it super essential to stabilize the fabric first? ♀️
Well, I’ve got news! Olfa’s come out with an upgraded toy – the Rotary Circle Cutter (CMP-3). This newbie is not only friendlier for our wrists (thanks to its bigger, ratcheted handle) but it’s also way easier to use! The genius design allows the handle to slide anywhere between the blade and pivot point, meaning more control and confidence in every cut! ✨
Let’s Dive into the Details! ️♀️
Olfa didn’t just stop at the basics; they’ve thrown in a bunch of cool additions:
– Safety first! It comes with a cover for the pivot point and blade. No more mini heart attacks when searching through your kit! ❤️
– Measurement woes? They’ve got tick marks in both inches and centimeters. Although, a tiny heads up – these aren’t labeled, so keep that ruler close!
– Oh, and don’t fret if the instructions skip the tick marks part. Trust me, after a bit of trial and error with a mat, ruler, and the cutter, I found the ruler method super handy.
My Cutting Chronicles ✨
At first, it felt a tad awkward, and I might have missed a few threads. But, a few minutes in and BAM! Perfect circles every time. Here’s how I did it:
1. Adjust the blade-pivot distance to half of your desired circle size.
2. Mark the center of your circle on the fabric.
3. Hold the handle with your main hand and use the other to steer the cutter.
Now, for the real tests:
– Plain Fabric: Went smoothly, just remember to be gentle and slow. Rushing might lead to bunching.
– Stabilized Fabric: Tried it with fusible web, freezer paper, and Steam-A-Seam 2. The trick? Always cut with the fabric side up!
– Other Materials: This cutter is not just for fabrics. I ventured into webs, papers, and even plastics. And guess what? A+ results every single time! ✨
A tiny bummer is that it can’t cut super tiny circles (the smallest being 1-7/8 inches). So, maybe not the best for teeny-tiny applique patterns. But on the bright side, it’s perfect for big, bold circles!
All in all, with the Rotary Circle Cutter, circle cutting has never been this fun and effortless. Quilters, we’ve got a new toy to play with!
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Handle | Larger, ratcheted for ease |
| Safety Covers | Pivot point and blade covers included |
| Measurements | Tick marks in inches and centimeters |
| Usage on Plain Fabric | Cut slowly with right pressure |
| Usage on Stabilized Fabric | Best results with fabric side up |
| Other Materials | Works well on webs, papers, and plastics |
