An Unlikely Sewing Gadget?


I don't know about you, but I've been using a lot of pdf patterns lately. I'm a big fan of how affordable and instant they are, yet no one can deny that they can be a total pain to assemble. The step that I hate the most is trimming the sides so you can line up the pages before sticking them together. So in an act of unparalleled laziness, I decided to invest in an unlikely sewing gadget...a rotary paper trimmer!


You guys, why didn't I think of this before?!? I bought a cheap rotary paper trimmer online as an experiment and it has already significantly cut down the time it takes me to assemble pdfs, especially because it can trim up to 10 sheets of paper at once!

Am I behind the times here...have you all been using rotary paper trimmers for yonks? What's your favourite unlikely sewing gadget?

*****

As an aside, I decided to close my Vintage Shirt Dress giveaway at midday today, so you can still take advantage of the 20% discount (use MARIE20VSD at the Sew Over It checkout by midnight (GMT) on Wednesday 10 June) if you didn't win!

The lucky winner of  the giveaway is Ruth at Nightingale & Dolittle! HUGE congratulations Ruth, I'll be emailing you shortly for your postal address :o)

20 comments:

  1. I use this a lot, too. Definitely one of my most used sewing gadgets. So fast! Also: Cut only two of the sides of and then glue the sheets together instead of taping. Works much better I think!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just use a knife and a cutting board to cut PDF patterns. But I'm very good at it, I can cut 10 pages at once as well. No need for and rotary paper trimmer. But what I love is when PDF patterns come in a copy shop size, instant gratification and easy printing, the best of both worlds!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes! I use something similar, except mine looks a little more like a guillotine for paper. A friend gave it to me after saving it from the trash when his office was throwing it out. Before that though I used to cut through multiple pieces of paper using just my cutting mat, the giant corresponding ruler, and a razor. It was a little ghetto, but 100% lazy person approved :o)

    ReplyDelete
  4. My mom has a 3x3 foot paper cutter that I used to use for ALL kinds of things, but I don't have regular access to it anymore, so it's back to the scissors. I never thought about picking up one of these small ones!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've never used one of these before, but when I've sliced paper with one of those big cutters with the arm, the paper would shift sometimes. Did you have any issues with shifting papers?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes! I use one for PDF patterns too. I have trouble cutting straight lines otherwise. So much easier!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I use an old rotary cutter on my cutting mat and table. I'm much too impatient to trim one page at a time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do trim more than one at a time with the paper cutter, as I have found over the years that my printer shifts the paper around anyway. As long as I am within 1/16th, I'm good, and I'm shifting the pieces around to get the seam lines to match.

      I don't glue, I don't have enough space to let them dry. I do lightly tape in rows of 4, and then wiggle the strips together. I'm a pattern tracer by habit, so a lot of corrections happen then.

      As much as I am good with how I do this, I LOVE reading other folks ideas. I can always get a better idea somewhere. PDF makers: please don't make me tape more than four in a row widthwise!

      Delete
  8. I can't stand assembling pdf patterns and have debated getting one of these too. Maybe I should just suck it up and buy one, so no one has to hear me complain anymore? haha :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have one of these and it beats scissors! Makes trimming much quicker!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yup, I have one as well. Best thing my boyfriend ever bought for me! Saves a lot of time...

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm 100% all about using a paper cutter for PDF patterns - but mine can only cut 3 sheets a time successfully. Looks like I need an upgrade (or a new blade at least).

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good idea! I'll buy one right now!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Guys, why are you cutting the paper at all? Just overlap the pages and tape it. Sometimes if I am having a hard time seeing through the paper I tape everything together against a window or shower door. If I am taping at night I use a light box which is a handy investment. Saves a bundle of time.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I hope yours is more precise than mine. I have the same type, wish I had bought one fo the old fashioned ones with the blade you can watch as it it comes down! I was much more precise using a cutter ( plastic handle, blade that can be broken off every cm or so for a fresh edge) on a mat with a ruler. And I'm too anal to be less than precise. I hate putting PDFs together at the best of times, and when a line is overtrimmed it throws me off - rolleyes at myself:). to the point that I only buy PDFs if no printed pattern is available and I really and truly love them - like lily sage's new Branson top. and I sometimes replace them - like my Camas PDF, never used, now have paper pattern and have finally made one:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Really, you don't need to trim the pages at all. That will save you even more work. All you have to do is overlap the pages as Suitsmejournal above said. I have never once trimmed the sides...overlapping is soooo much easier.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have one too! It makes PDF patterns a lot less daunting.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yeah Ruth! The VIntage Shirt Dress will suit her style!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wonderful idea. Hope I remember this when the time comes!

    ReplyDelete