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Rotary cutter blades a rip off?

September 15, 2014 by Scarlett Burroughs

After buying this carpet cutter at my local Harbor Freight, I feel like Lee in that Swiffer commercial who exclaimed, “I’ve been living in a fool’s paradise.” Notice the product description says, “Ideal for Cutting Carpets or Quilts“. Right now, if you visit Jo-Ann Fabrics online, they are selling 1 blade for $17.99.  Yes, it’s the top brand, an Olfa, but is the ‘better quality’ enough to justify the difference in price? I plan to find out. I’ll use these in my next project and let you know. If you have already used a carpet cutter to cut fabric, do share your thoughts with us. {Image uploaded by editor}

Are you looking for a way to make quilting and sewing projects easier? If so, a rotary cutter is the perfect tool for the job. A rotary cutter is a handheld tool used to quickly and easily cut through fabric, making it the perfect tool for quilting and sewing projects.

Rotary cutters are incredibly easy to use and provide a much more precise cut than scissors. Rotary cutters come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find the perfect one for your project. They have a sharp blade that quickly and easily cuts through fabric, making it faster and easier than using scissors. The ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to hold and use, so you can get the job done quickly and easily.

Rotary cutters are also incredibly versatile. They can be used on a variety of materials, including cotton, flannel, fleece, and more. This makes them perfect for a variety of projects, from quilts to apparel. And because they are so easy to use, they are great for beginners and experienced sewers alike.

If you’re looking for a way to make quilting and sewing projects easier, then a rotary cutter is the perfect tool for the job. With its sharp blade and ergonomic handle, it makes it faster and easier to get the job done. And because it can be used on a variety of materials, it is perfect for any quilting and sewing projects. So, if you’re looking for a way to make your projects easier and more efficient, then a rotary cutter is the perfect tool for the job.

 

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Comments

  1. Pat says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    I tried them and didn’t like them, they skipped. I never buy blades from Joann’s, too expensive. Have gotten great deals on ebay.

  2. Cindy F. says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    I tried these, but found they were too dull right out of the package, so didn’t work well. Went back to the expensive ones.

  3. Ellen Gregory says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    Yasmin, I am a novice so forgive the question, please. What is a set square that you get at the hardware store for $20, and what are the cord and chains for? Loved all of the other suggestions, especially about HF, but I was puzzled on this one. Thanks.

  4. Tammy Mattson says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    I won’t use any oil on my sewing machine except for Tri Flo. all the others including “good sewing machine oils” I.e. expensive, gum up the sewing machine after a period of time. Ask me how I know! It cost me $120 to de-gum my Vintage Husqvarna Viking sewing machine that prior owners had used regular sewing machine oil on over the years. Tri-Flo won’t do that.

  5. Pat Rand says

    September 16, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    Just wanted to say ,ask your dental person that cleans your teeth if she has any dental picks she doesn’t use anymore.I did and came home with about 16 for free.Shared with friends

  6. Gladys Dodger says

    September 16, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    I have been using carpet cutter blades I buy at Harbor Freight for several years. I have never been disappointed with them. I gave some to my sister and now everyone in her 3 quilt groups are using them too.

  7. Susan F. says

    September 16, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    I have used these with good results most of the time. I got one package that wouldn’t cut butter though.

  8. nancy d says

    September 16, 2014 at 10:52 pm

    Excellent tip! I find myself using dull blades as I hate spending so much money on them! Harbor Freight normally has coupons for a free item with a purchase too! I love that place!

  9. Scarlett Burroughs says

    September 17, 2014 at 6:33 am

    Thanks for sharing Tammy. I’ve not heard about Tri Flo until now! –Scarlett

  10. Scarlett Burroughs says

    September 17, 2014 at 6:35 am

    Great suggestion Carol! Thanks for sharing. –Scarlett

  11. Scarlett Burroughs says

    September 17, 2014 at 6:36 am

    Awesome information Linda. Thank you! –Scarlett

  12. Mary G. says

    September 17, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    I have been using these carpet blades for a couple years now and have only come up with one blade that was a dud. Very happy with them and the money I save at Harbor. You need to remember too when you are looking at cutters and blades – some cutters have special cut outs or designs in the center that requires that you can only use their blade.

  13. Scarlett Burroughs says

    September 17, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Thanks for sharing Mary! –Scarlett

  14. ruthee says

    September 18, 2014 at 10:39 am

    Wish we had a Harbor Freight…

  15. Yvonne says

    September 19, 2014 at 8:56 am

    I use them all the time. Every once in a while I get one not so sharp but that’s rare. And you get two in a package, not one!

  16. Lauren says

    October 1, 2014 at 1:25 am

    I have tried these, and I have been completely unsatisfied. I bought 3 packs because they were so cheap, and I was so excited to save a bit on blades. The first blade skipped, and I thought it might just be a dud, but hey that’s why I bought a coupe other packs and they’re cheap so no big deal. Guess what? The other blades all skipped too. You get what you pay for here. I keep buying mine from the local quilt shop…better to support the local shop and pay a little more than to go to the big box store and get duds.

  17. Scarlett Burroughs says

    October 1, 2014 at 9:35 am

    I hear you Lauren. I still have not tried the cheap blades, but have lowered my expectations. –Scarlett

  18. Cynthia Prater says

    October 1, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    I discovered these early on in my quilting adventure and I like them. Yes every now and again I get a bad blade, but for the price, why not. I then use the dull ones for paper piecing. It got so bad that my local harbor freight stop carrying in the store. Nothing wrong with trying an off brand and lower price item. We all are different and like what we like. I will tell any quilter try something and if it don’t work at least you tried and you can’t turn your nose up at it. Especially with the blades costing so much and still going dull. Here is a post I did on them years ago http://allaboutmeandcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/01/central-forge-carpet-cutter-blades.html

  19. Janet Kelley says

    January 16, 2022 at 8:34 am

    I use a Rotary blade sharpener and it works really well.

  20. catpatches says

    January 16, 2022 at 10:00 am

    I tried the carpet cutter blades once. Not for me.

« Older Comments

Have you read?

In the Garden Layer Cake – A Bloom-Filled Fabric Collection for Spring Sewing

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.

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