This is for a church quilting group and I want to include the kiddos, however I need to have guidelines for using the rotary cutter so no one gets hurt. I plan to have parent's permission/supervision for anyone under 18 (to protect the church and myself), but want a good general age to start them out. Preferably I'd like to hear from parents. Thanks!
2007-02-05 04:24:40 · 7 answers · asked by plainoldjess 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Responsible teenagers only with parent's permission. Unless you are going to have one on one knowledgeable help for each participant, I'd stick with the old fashioned method of using scissors. It takes longer, but is safer.
2007-02-05 10:07:11 · answer #1 · answered by DishclothDiaries 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Regardless of what age you decide, there are some precautions you can take. First, use a rotary cutter than has an automatic blade retraction feature. As soon as you let go of it, the blade is covered (although not locked - you still need to do that manually). That's one less thing you have to trust someone to do. Also, get several Klutz Gloves from Fons & Porter. They come in four sizes, including an extra small. They're made of stainless steel and synthetic fiber, and they're cut resistant. They can be used on either hand (you only need one) and have gripper dots.
Deciding who to allow to handle the rotary cutters is less about age than it is about responsibility. I know 10 year olds who I would trust with a rotary cutter (supervised, using the glove) and 20 year olds that I wouldn't leave in the same room with one.
2007-02-06 01:24:16 · answer #2 · answered by swbiblio 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having taught kids' craft classes, I'd agree that only the older ones would be okay if you're not physically standing over each and every one while they cut. They might have accidents too... there's a bit of a learning curve to using rotary cutters, and some of it would depend on the straight edge they're using, and the shapes they're cutting, number of layers at a time, fabric, etc.
If you're wanting strips, you could at least tear those (as long as they're cotton) and they could definitely do that (after starter cuts).
When I've done quilting classes (or faux quilting on paper) with kids, I've always cut all the pieces myself before class (using quickie methods)... never worked with kids over 14 though in those classes.
Some of which kids would be okay has a lot to do with their personalities and coordination too... gets tricky to decide.
Good luck!
Diane B.
2007-02-05 11:44:35 · answer #3 · answered by Diane B. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would think that having all the fabric cut before hand would be easiest all around. This would ensure that all pieces are cut correctly and to size. Plus, it would save tons of time in the long run. Otherwise, I'd let the high school aged kids do it after a quick lesson.
2007-02-08 16:10:36 · answer #4 · answered by Stacy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
High School age 14 or 15 - - - on!
2007-02-05 04:33:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I taught quilting classes at the YMCA. I had a student that was about 12 or 13. She did well. Please emphasize the safety factor.
2007-02-08 03:54:12 · answer #6 · answered by Carol S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sissors.
2016-05-24 18:24:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋