OLFA Circle Cutter Series: Part 1

Today marks the beginning of a 4 part series using the OLFA Circle Cutter!  I hope to show you all how to use the cutter, a tutorial for a project, some tips and we’ll finish it off with a little surprise!  Let’s get this cutter party started!

You might be asking yourself “Why do I need this circle cutter? I already have dozens of notions.”  I’ll tell you why!  You will not find an easier way to cut circles ranging from 1 7/8″ to 8 1/2.”  I will never ever cut circles with scissors again!

Let’s take a look at the actual cutter.

The cutter has a sharp needle like point called the pivot spike that will stick into the cutting mat and stabilize your fabric while cutting.  This also marks the center of your circle.  This is the part of the cutter that gets adjusted for the circle size you need to cut.

You do need to do one simple math problem to determine where to set the pivot spike of the cutter.  If you want an 8″ circle the left side of the pivot spike needs to be set at 4 inches.  If you want a 4″ circle the left side of the pivot spike needs to be set at 2 inches.  The rule of thumb is, circle size divided by 2.  Hopefully that makes sense.  If not, let me know and I’ll give it another try.  It’s a lot easier if you have a cutter in hand that you can play with while reading the directions.

One thing to note…the ruler is not marked with numbers.  However, each inch mark is a longer line and the marks are in 1/8″ increments.  It didn’t take long to figure that out.

Cutting the circles couldn’t be easier.  Lay out your fabric and get going!

Isn’t that some awesome Flea Market Fancy fabric!  I just randomly cut 3 circles to show how easy it is.

If you look closely at the above picture you can see the fabric around the blade {on the left in the picture} is kind of wrinkled up.  That’s perfectly normal.  I’m serious!  The fabric will bubble up and move around on you but a perfect circle will emerge!  I have no idea how that can be but it happens…every time!

You can also see that I hold the ratchet handle with my right hand and I place a finger or two from my left hand on top of the pivot spike.  I like having a little pressure on the pivot spike just to make sure it doesn’t move around on me.

There’s my perfect circle!  It’s so pretty.

That’s all there is to using the cutter.  It really couldn’t be easier.

A few more details about the cutter…

  • It uses an 18mm blade
  • The blade and pivot spike both come with safety covers
  • It will cut cloth, leather, paper, vinyl, and more
  • Right and Left handed folks can use it

I think that just about wraps up what I wanted to cover today.  It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this cutter.  I did cut a couple practice circles when I first started because I wanted to get the feel of the cutter.  I give the OLFA Circle Cutter an A+.

Make sure you stop by tomorrow and check out Part 2.  I’ll be sharing a tutorial.

I just have to share a picture of mom and Gene’s sweet little dog, Murphy.  She’s just the cutest little poodle ever and she’s spoiled rotten!

Happy Saturday!

13 thoughts on “OLFA Circle Cutter Series: Part 1”

  1. Murphy is so cute! Thanks for the great info! (Thanks Connie for mentioning this on your blog, I am now a follower here, LOL!) Really makes me want one of these!

  2. I have one of these . Never used it , but watching you makes me wanna try it.Thanks for doing this. Glad to be a new follower of your blog.
    Donna

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