Rotary Cutter and Cutting Base Rotary Mats. Do I need one?

Rotary Cutter and Cutting Base Mat.  Do I need to one?

This blog maybe a little controversial.  It is prompted by an email received from one of my customers this week.   In brief she was having difficulty using these tools to cut fabric.   The question was long winded and I spent some time drafting a reply.   Time took over and I decided to respond the following day.   Re-reading my draft in a different light after sleeping on her words, I realised my answer should be much simpler.  In short .... Dear Mrs T,   Do you really need to use a rotary cutter and mat for cutting fabric?

I came to this conclusion after thinking about my own experience with a rotary cutter and mat.   My first encounter with these tools occurred in 1990.   I was given a set by a lady whom I had been giving classes to in London.   A very generous gift at the time and I could not wait to try this new technology.  At the time  I had 20 sewing years behind me so using new tools was going to be revealing and possibly challenging.  I tried.  I tried many many times.  In short the rotary cutter scared me.  The exposed blade, just one slip of a finger, just seconds away from a wound.

Far easier to rip a strip of fabric and trim the edges with trusty safe scissors.   Twenty four years later and the rotary cutter remains in my drawer, through fault of my own, abeit a bit rusty.  The blade is still sharp.  I am sure one day I will return to it and with the aid of you tube video clips learn to use it properly, perhaps concluding "how did I manage without it".......  

The mat has been great, how did I manage pre-1990?     I currently have several laying around my studio.  Finding it hard to throw the original one out as it still has plenty of life in it yet.  Having a mat with inch grid and diagonal lines has been incredibly useful for all sorts of projects, mostly cutting stencils or paper using a basic craft knife.  The mat and cutter shown below are my gift from 1990.  Its true to say that the sewing technology of 1989 has survived. 

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 9

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 9

Some progress during this week of happenings, despite work being laid out on the floor most the time.   Gordon, my new husband is very patient that the dining room carpet is mostly taken up by an unfinished sewing project.  Means that he can have meals on a tray watching the TV.

The images below look almost identical.  Look twice and two differences can be found.  Decisions, decisions.  I cannot make up my mind whether to use four strong red hexagons as shown in the lower part of the left hand image, or replace with two cream unobtrusive hexagons as shown in the right hand image.  Both look OK but solid red is a harsh emotional colour.  Years ago we had a bright red carpet covering a very large room.  It was an expensive Axminster wool carpet. It made me feel angry and unsettled.  I never felt peace in that room.   Strange how colours affect emotions.  Just writing this has made my mind up.  Remove the two red.  

The second error also involves red.   I am removing the strong pinky red rosette bottom left hand corner and replacing it with the one shown in the right hand image.

Decisions made.  Gordon, darling it will be dinner for two on a beautifully laid up table in the dining room tonight.   

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 8

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 8

Gosh, progress has been slow.  Just checked my last update on this quilt was 2nd May 2014.  Yes, lots  has happened, just short of five months being blissfully married.   The summer has passed in a flash, and sadly the nights are drawing in.   Closed the curtains at 8.30pm last night........its going to be a long long winter.   Thats the negative and now for the positive.  Long dark nights, time to get cracking on the quilt again.

I unwrapped the roll of part sewn work and loose hexagons fell over the bed.   Now, where was I?  The hexagons seemed larger and very very creased.   Straight to the iron.  Creased work is never pleasing to work with.   Immediate reaction is what what I thinking of placing those yellow hexagons either side of the centre.  They screamed at me.  Wrong, wrong wrong.

After the initial shock of seeing the yellow hexagons I took the work downstairs and laid it flat out on the floor to see the full effect.  Not such an eyesore, different light, laid full out the sunshine blobs not too bad.  Going to carry on and see if they eventually work, which I think they will.  Its strange though how, after a break of a few months suddenly mind thinks quite differently.

Thanks for being patient with this update.......be assured am back on track for further faster progress.  Its funny my fingers are itching right now to pick up a needle and start work immediately.  Alas time forbids.

Velvet Patchwork Hexagon Wedding Purse by Jackie Wills

Velvet Patchwork Hexagon Wedding Purse by Jackie Wills

Crikey I have just realised that my last blog was written on 2 May 2014 and it is with apologies that this blog is not going to be a continuation of "Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons" .  Work has stalled on the large hexagon quilt mainly due to my preference of spending time outdoors whilst the evenings are long and light.  Be assured it will be continued soon.

After 20 years together Gordon, completely out of the blue proposed to me.  Five weeks later we married at Cockington Church which dates back nearly 1000 years.   The marriage was simple and unorganised.   I picked a once worn TK Maxx dress from my wardrobe, bought a new hat and matched it with a pink cravat for Gordon.   The guests were invited the day before (we did not want too many people) and afterwards had tea and coffee at Cocktington Court.  Perfect.

During the reception my mother presented me with a present she had made.   A velvet patchwork hexagon purse.

It is made of 19 hexagons (a rosette of seven plus another round of 12). Another round of hexagons, half folded over finishes it off.   It is lined with sateen and a cord drawstring has been inserted.  Two velvet bobbles attached to the end of each drawstring.   Finished off with a row of individually sewn faux pearls and further crochet embroidery.   The colours are rich and vibrant, and the texture luxurious and soft.   

Below the faux pearls beautifully hand sewn on to the edge of the purse,  a row of crochet embroidery and drawstring can  also be seen.

Knowing my love for hexagons, this is the perfect wedding gift that my mother bestowed to me.  It will remain precious and cherished for the rest of my life.  

Below: Gordon and I arriving at Cockington Church for our wedding.

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 7

Creating Hexagon Pattern Combinations

Over the last few weeks I have spent time laying out covered hexagons on the floor.  I picked them up, moved them around, created patterns, and generally explored the infinite possibilities .  Its a wonderful adventure exploring how colours work together, how colours change when placed together.  

I cannot stress enough how important it is not to rush into sewing the hexagons together.   Just keep looking at them.   Squint your eyes to see if anything jumps out.    I was convinced that a line of grey hexagon down each side of the centre track would work.   I kept looking at it and after several days I realised it would be a dreadful mistake.   The centre red rosette looks painfully wrong.  Its to powerful and draws the eye immediately.  Both these plans were abandoned.

After much thought and deliberation I came to the point where I was confident that the pattern would work.  Take a look at the two images below to see my conclusion.   I laid the hexagons out on the bed to check for size and proceeded to hand sew the hexagons and rosettes together.   One red hexagon in the centre is just enough to draw attention without it shouting out at the room.  The cream rows either side of the centre panel looks softer than the grey.  A gentler easy on the eye look.  

Progress has been slow this month because my partner of 20 years proposed to me out of the blue.   Wedding preparations have somewhat overtaken the need to make the hexagon quilt.  We are hoping to marry in the next couple of weeks, so I am understandably distracted!

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 6

Looking at the hexagon rosettes.  Looking at combinations

The design process is really about to begin now.   Over the last few weeks I have created over 30 rosettes using the spare Gosford Cranberry curtain.   In addition I have created lots of hexagons in two neutral colours cream and grey.  I am not convinced they will work in the design so the only way to find out is to create hexagons and throw them in with the rest.   In addition red and yellow hexagons have been added to experiment with.

scattered hexagons and rosettes

Rosettes coordinated into groups

Next co-ordinate similar rosettes together.   I find  that doing this helps take stock of what you have created and will enable you to use them in a balanced way in your design.

floral centre

fauna centre

Above:   Surrounding a rosette with the same colour creates a completely different look.   Take time doing this and enjoy the process of eliminating the results that are wrong.   My view is that the red is far too bright against the gentle colours.  Looks a bit of an eyesore.

Above: By changing three of the hexagons from red to grey adjusts the look.   Adding another round of hexagons softens the red.
There are endless combinations.  Avoid the mistake of rushing.  Lay the hexagons and rosettes out in a place they will not be disturbed.  Return and juxtapose.   Enjoy this process.






Left:  I have removed the red altogether and created a completely different look.  I think the grey works very well, as it softens the leafy centre.  The floral red outer  rosettes will balance the centre rosette.  Keep moving the hexagons and rosettes around.

If its inconvenient to leave them in a place without disturbance, lay out and take lots of photos.  Look at the photos and decide if any changed should be made.   The look is completely changed again by removing the leaf rosettes and replacing them with combinations of floral.

Believe it or not this is a fun process and should not be rushed.  Enjoy.  Ask others what they think.  Its always good listening to other ideas.

Also think of the bedroom, the bed, furniture and flooring.  If in doubt take your work and lay out on the bed.   Get a real feel for the design, the colour balance and the ultimate look that appeals to you.

Do not be in a rush to sew together.

My next blog will take the design a step further.



Take a peep at
www.patchworktemplates.com for more information and ideas.

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 5

Quick update on Part 4.  Creating rosettes.

Part 4 gave some guidance on creating hexagon rosettes.   I am backing this up with a couple of photos which demonstrate the loop at the back.  This saves breaking thread and starting again.

I hope the photos below speak for themselves:

Arrange hexagons into rosette

Select centre hexagon (1)  and one outer hexagon (2)  Sew together

Add third hexagon and sew (2 to 3)

Instead of breaking thread, create a loop.  Secure with 2 or 3 stitches at each end, and take the needle to join (1)  and (3)

Hope the above demonstrates in a clearer fashion.

The design process continues.   So many options and variations.   The only way to achieve your happy combination is to lay the hexagons out and keep looking at them.   The two photos below demonstrate the dilemma.  I am  not happy with either.   Needs lots more thought and rearranging.   I also plan to make more leaf rosettes as they tone the overall look down.

Patchwork paper templates can be purchased from www.patchworktemplates.com  10cm hexagons have been used in this work.

Part 6. will continue with the design process.

Rosettes in a line

Rosettes placed at random.