The aches and pains in your arms, hands, and wrists are extremely frequent among individuals who sew for long periods of time.
Those who have been sewing or creating for a long time are more likely to develop arthritis in their wrists, hands, and arms.
This isn’t anything new, and it’s been around for a long time, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop or give up the enthusiasm you have for it.
All you have to do now is figure out how to work with it rather than against it.
Some of the best rotary cutters on the market are just as hands-on as others, but they’re intended to ease pressure on your wrists and hands.
Creating a better experience should allow you to continue doing what you enjoy while experiencing less discomfort.
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Things to Do to Help Your Arthritis When Using a Rotary Cutter
Though I do not have arthritis in my hands, I may get it in the future (thanks to sewing and my parents).
With that in mind, there are a few things you can do to protect your hands, wrists, and arms while still cutting enough.
What you can accomplish or achieve will be determined by what you want to produce, how much cutting you need to do for your project and the level of severity of your arthritis.
Cut In Stages
Giving your wrists and hands plenty of rest and making sure they function well when you want to utilize them for cutting is a fantastic approach to help them perform better.
Consider cutting your parts in phases, which is especially crucial if you’re doing patchwork crafts using strips and squares. This may not be as critical if you are sewing garments or tiny homewares, but it is still vital to note.
Create bundles or pieces to cut out first, then take a break or go to another portion of the stitching process and return once your hands and wrists have rested.
Take Breaks
You can focus on your cutting in those blocks of time if you see your hands and wrists starting to sway and feel weak.
While you’re not cutting out, try to discover ways to reset and calm your hands. A heated heat pad, soaking in warm water, or simply sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea can all help!
Make Use of Sharp Blades
As you use your blades, they will begin to dull and become more difficult to cut with, requiring you to apply more power and weight on the rotary cutter to cut.
To avoid this, change your blades regularly; while this may seem costly or time-consuming, it may have a significant influence on your job.
The cutting procedure should be made simpler, easier, and faster by using a sharper blade.
You won’t need as much pressure when cutting, which will relieve the pressure and pain in your hands and wrists, allowing you to cut for longer periods of time and making the procedure much simpler.
Top 4 Best Rotary Cutters For Arthritis
Although not all of these things are rotating cutters, they are all devices that may reduce pressure on your hands and wrists, making cutting simpler and more enjoyable.
Along with the ergonomics, they can aid in creating straight lines in patchwork.
1. Martelli Ergo Rotary Cutter
This rotary cutter is available in both right-handed and left-handed versions, making it suitable for a wide range of users.
When cutting, the Martelli Ergo Rotary Cutter is designed to alleviate tiredness and soreness in your hand and arm.
The rotary cutter was designed with the assistance of orthopedic doctors to provide a comfortable grip and simple operation.
The blades are of the best quality, which means they will last 3-5 times longer than conventional rotary cutter blades. The rotary cutter also features a blade safeguard that can be easily flipped down to prevent any mishaps.
2. Fiskars Rotary Ruller & Cutter Combo
This gadget resembles a guillotine for cutting cards and paper; however, it is usually a fabric version ideal for cutting strips and squares.
This product is ideal for people who want to disperse the force of their hands throughout the product to strike the ruler and cutter in one.
Though the device is excellent, beneficial, and aids in relieving pressure and motions in your hand and wrist, it does have certain limitations. One of them is that the amount of material you can cut is restricted.
This cutting machine, for example, is ideal for patchwork and smaller projects like appliqué, but it will struggle to cut out clothing or patterns since it only cuts straight edges and in one direction.
3. Creative Grids Stripology Ruler
If you do a lot of patchwork and quilting, this product could be just up your alley. It doesn’t change the rotating cutter itself, but it does change the way you cut.
The Creative Grids Stripology ruler includes gaps/tracks where you can position your rotary cutter, and it will show you how to make a good straight line.
Insert your rotary cutter in the track and cut; this relieves the pressure on your other hand, holding a ruler in place and preventing it from moving.
This ruler requires a small amount of weight to stay in place (though you can use weights around the edges for reassurance).
This may be used to make strips, squares, or rectangles that can be used to make any patchwork quilt.
The ruler resembles a big cutting mat with slots carved out at regular intervals to make patchwork strips.
4. Ergonomic Cutter by Olfa
The Olfa Ergonomic cutter is not only pleasant and simple to use, but it is also highly recommended by professionals and everyday people like you.
The handle is curved to fit more snugly in the palm of your hand, allowing your hand and wrist to sit in a more comfortable cutting posture.
The tiny amount of pressure required is simple because it presses down on the handle and the blade.
This relieves strain on your hand and wrist, resulting in a better overall experience and comfort.
