I think most of us use rotary cutters. If you don't, grab your purse or wallet and get in your car and go get one, and a cutting mat and rulers. Yes, now! You can thank me later. :)
Along with those rotary cutters, we must have rotary blades to go in them. We also need to change these blades every so often because as they get dull, our cuts are not as clean and we can't have that. As soon as you change that blade and cut with it, you will automatically wonder why on Earth did you wait so long to change it! There's nothing like a fresh blade in a rotary cutter. :)
Dilemma. They really are not cheap. They are vital though, so we spend our good hard earned money on them hoping to catch a sale at JoAnn fabrics to get them at 50% off! If not, we usually find ourselves waiting just a wee bit longer to change that blade. Yes, you know you do.
Why am I babbling on about this, you ask? Go ahead, ask. I won't mind.
Ok, let me tell you anyway. :)
A dear reader, Kenna, over at Kenna Quilts sent me a tip about rotary blades. This might sound goofy but I think I just might give these a go.
Carpet blades. Two in a pack for $1.49. <----- Did you see that price!!?? I think its really worth a try at that price and if they work, just think how much more fabric you can buy!!
Ohhh...you probably want to know where to get these huh? Well, head on over to Harbor Freight Tools (click the name and it takes you right to the blades) and you will find the blades that will fit the 45mm Olfa cutter. Kenna said she has used these in her Olfa and loves them, but she isn't sure how they would fit in other 45mm cutters. Still...worth a try in my book.
As a matter of fact, I just placed my order for 5 sets.
Carpet cutters. Who da thunk it? Thanks Kenna!!!
Much Love!!!
Dilemma. They really are not cheap. They are vital though, so we spend our good hard earned money on them hoping to catch a sale at JoAnn fabrics to get them at 50% off! If not, we usually find ourselves waiting just a wee bit longer to change that blade. Yes, you know you do.
Why am I babbling on about this, you ask? Go ahead, ask. I won't mind.
Ok, let me tell you anyway. :)
A dear reader, Kenna, over at Kenna Quilts sent me a tip about rotary blades. This might sound goofy but I think I just might give these a go.
Carpet blades. Two in a pack for $1.49. <----- Did you see that price!!?? I think its really worth a try at that price and if they work, just think how much more fabric you can buy!!
Ohhh...you probably want to know where to get these huh? Well, head on over to Harbor Freight Tools (click the name and it takes you right to the blades) and you will find the blades that will fit the 45mm Olfa cutter. Kenna said she has used these in her Olfa and loves them, but she isn't sure how they would fit in other 45mm cutters. Still...worth a try in my book.
As a matter of fact, I just placed my order for 5 sets.
Carpet cutters. Who da thunk it? Thanks Kenna!!!
Much Love!!!
Awesome. This has to be the best money saving tidbit you will ever have.
ReplyDeleteWow! I have a Harbor Freights down the road. I'll be going there soon to see if they have some in the store. Thanks for this tip! Really cheap if it works for the Fiskar rotary cutter (and I think it will).
ReplyDeleteI have heard if you run your cutter over some folded aluminum foil it helps resharpen the blades as well. I am going to try that tonight and see if I notice any difference. I am way over due for a blade replacement.
ReplyDeleteExcellent tip!!! They're going to wonder why all these women keep coming in to buy them and the craft stores are going to wonder why they stopped selling so many!!
ReplyDeleteWow! that is some GREAT newz!! thanks for sharing! Love the colors on your blog, btw.
ReplyDeletehugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz105.blogspot
ps....come over and "visit" meee blog? I LUV visitors =0D
Hiya! :)
ReplyDeleteI am tickled pink that you chose my tip :) I have converted all the quilters near by to the HF cutter blades...and haven't heard anyone have a problem with them! To the point that when I went to buy more blades the other day (I tend to keep several on hand because when I quilt, I often sew obsessively....last thursday I cut 4 quilts. Anywhoo, I digress....the manager of the Harbor Freight in Long Beach grumbled that now that the "women" have discovered his blades he can't keep them in stock!
As a token of my appreciation, if you visit my blog http://kennaquilts.blogspot.com/2011/02/tickled-pink.html
I am giving a pack (or more if I can find them in my sewing room!) away.
Placed my order ASAP! I didn't want them to run out when everyone sees this super fabulous tip!
ReplyDeleteI also read on someone's blog this week that if you will flip the blade when it gets dull, it will cut with the "other" side, giving you some extra blade life! Haven't had a chance to try this one out yet, but it's certainly cheap!!
ReplyDeleteWow - this has to be the best tip every! I can't wait to try it. We have a Harbor Frieght nearby and I'm going to go tomorrow to see if they have the right size! Awesome tip! Thanks, you two!
ReplyDeleteThis is sooo relevant to me right now - my fiance just commented, "think that blade's a little dull?" I'm definitely guilty of trying to save them. Even though I just bought a new five pack of blades, I'll definitely do this next time! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is the best tip ever!! Thank you so much...I can't wait to change my blades more often!! :-)
ReplyDeleteUsually put Fiskar's blades, that I buy at Wally World, in my Olfa cutters but will pick up a pack of these blades at the Harbor Freight in my town.
ReplyDeleteBTW, just spent the day making your Sunkissed Squares. Your directions were spot on making this quilt a real pleasure to work on. Will post picture when I get the quilt finished.
thanks, Im gonna cut and paste and share on my blog too. I just ordered 5 too!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I checked the store locator, and there's one within 10 miles of me! I'm there!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I just went to a gathering of quilters and this was a tip they had there too! I haven't gotten around to getting some cutters, but can't wait to try it out!
ReplyDeleteif you put save10 in coupon code box you can save a few cents on a set i paid 139 for a pair or if you spend 19.99 put in scissors you get a free pair always trying to get a little more bang for my buck its great
ReplyDeletediana
Great tip. I'm ordering some right now!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteThis has to be the best tip ever! Now do you have one for buying cheap razor blades???? I hate having to shell out so much dough for both types of these blades!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! What brand of cutter do you use? Please let us know if they work.
ReplyDeleteJust another happy person to hear about the blades. My local store is out, but I'm hoping they'll have some in by the end of the week.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Although I do have quite a stock of blades because I buy a 5 pack every time they are 50% off at JoAnn!
ReplyDeleteI've heard that tip recently. Stored away in my memory banks!
ReplyDeleteI have also heard you can flip your blade over and get a second life out of it. I don't know if it's true. Have never tried it. Have you?
ReplyDeletewooohoooo!! Great tip! That store is going to wonder about the rush on carpet blades : )
ReplyDeleteOMG...I just picked some up yesterday..got the hint from another friend... They are awesome..and even cheap when they aren't on sale...
ReplyDeleteI placed my order also. I had been wanting to order some clamps, so I ordered both. Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this tip. We visit Duluth MN twice a year where there is a Harbor Frieght. I send my husband there while I am at Hancock Fabrics in the same mall. It is on our list for our next trip.
ReplyDeleteI went last week, and got 5 packs. Should last me a while! They work great.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you both for this tip. I'm so excited, ordered a bunch!
ReplyDeleteI put together your sunkissed squares this past week. Now to just clear out my schedule at some point so that I can sandwich and quilt it. Probably not any time soon unfortunately.
Yeh Harbor Freight. Went there with my DH on Saturday and got the last four blades. Came to less than $4.00. It does fit my Olfa cutter.
ReplyDeleteJust ordered a bunch of packs- thanks!!
ReplyDeleteso i ran out to my local HF (just opened!) and bought a pack--yes it does fit in the Fiskars cutter quite well. BUT, i'm thinking they're not quite as sharp as the olfa's and fiskar blades that i usually buy. i googled this a little bit and no one else seems to have noted this. not sure if it's worth it to buy slightly dull blades at an incredible price or just suck it up and buy the "good" blades (with a coupon at joann's!) would love to know what you think and experience. thanks for your blog!
ReplyDeleteI also bought one of the blade sharpeners at Joanns. Doesn't make them as good as new, but I now sharpen blades and save them in a seperate, labeled, container. They are good enough for trimming batting and excess off when I get a quilt back from my longarm quilter.
ReplyDeletehave you got your blades from ordering them? I ordered 4 packs on Feb 23 and my order still says ''processing'' on their site :(
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete