Fantastic Fabric Shapes

Dear Patti,

I am frustrated by my fabric cutter.  I have tried & tried to make it work.  The cutter constantly rips up my fabric no matter how much or less pressure I apply.    It does not cut smoothly.  I saw it on tv & the host made it look so easy.  My template is face up & the blade aligned against the side.  My fabric is a mess.  Please help!

Fabric Frustrated

Dear Fabric Frustrated,

You've come to the right place for relief from your fabric woes. Because of its natural give, cutting small pieces of fabric can really be a challenge. The ShapeXpress fabric cutter makes this difficult task easier, but you'll have to trick your fabric into acting a bit more like paper.

The most important step in preparing your fabric is the iron-on stabilizer that gives your fabric a paper-like stiffness. It's the same stuff you'll find on the underside of fabric items like pillows and handbags -- and it vastly changes the texture of any fabric. It's a small step that's easy to forget, but it's the secret to the cleanly cut shapes you desire!

Iron-on stabilizer comes in various weights and can be purchased by-the-yard or pre-cut at any fabric store. You can pick up enough stabilizer to cut hundreds of shapes for just a few dollars! If you can't resist a super-stretchy cotton knit, choose a heavier stabilizer to prevent distortion as you cut. If you're using the recommended 100% cotton woven, you can choose a lighter stabilizer. Remember to wait for your fabric to cool before cutting -- warm stabilizer can pull away from the fabric.

You might also drag your blade lightly along your fabric just to be certain your blade is facing the right way. Once your blade is cutting, remember to apply constant and even pressure while you cut. With the right combination of fabric and stabilizer, you shouldn't experience any tearing, bunching, or fraying.

Give it a try! I think you'll develop a love of ironing when you see the results this simple trick can produce!

Happy Crafting!

Patti

Have a question for Ginny?  E-mail patti@fiskars.com.

By Patti