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I have the fiskar shape cutter and had it for a long time but when I use it I am not very lucky with it and don't know what I am doing wrong.
It will not stay in the shape for me and I am holding on tight already. Maybe I am holding on too tight ...I don't know it is very frustrating.
I heard people just love that tool but I don't it's like the coluzzles that I thought would benefit me but I just get frustrated using them :0(
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Let me know how it works for you. The blade just really drags on the self healing mat, you have to use more force, and then have less control. The blade moves much more easily on the glass.
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I just use the self-healing mat, but it took me a while to get used to the feel of how deep to adjust the blade. I know a lot of people don't like them - but I love mine.
I love mine -- and I have taught a few people how to use theirs.
I use a self-healing mat (but it probably works easier on glass.)
1st - Loosen the blade. Loosen it all the way loose so it won't cut.
2- start with a whole sheet of paper. You can use small pieces, but they will slip if you are not careful, so practice with a whole sheet.
3- the templates have a top and bottom. Be sure you have the template right side up. The grid goes down, against the paper and you should be able to read the fiskars logo.
4 - To start, with the blade loose, just drag the blade around the template. The blade is notched so it should glide around the template easily. If you own a circle or oval, that's easy to start.
5 - After you drag the cutter around the circle a few times, tighten the top screw just a little and drag again. Then tighten it a bit more and glide it around the circle again. Keep tightening is just a bit until you feel the blade reach the paper.
6 - The blade should be just tight enough to cut through the paper. If you tighten it too much, it will drag in the plastic.
As you use different types of paper, you will need to adjust the blade. Thicker, heavier weight papers need the blade tightened compared to lighter weight paper.
I have cut SU paper and I have cut copy machine paper. I own several alphabets, tons of paper dolls and some shapes. With a little practice, you will learn to love this cutter.
I think the key is using the LEAST pressure on the blade that will cut the paper.
Barbara
Last edited by barbara s; 04-08-2009 at 12:56 PM..
I found that I tried to use too much pressure when I first started using it. I also wondered if it was worth the bother but I think it's great now that I have loosened up a little with it! It's kind of hard to explain in writing but I also found that putting pressure around the edge of the tool with my fingertips instead of my whole hand on the middle of it also helped me.
This is one tool I absolutely could not live without. In fact I put off buying a Cuttlebug for the longest time, because I could get so many shapes from my shapecutter and templates, I didn't think I needed the Cuttlebug. Well, I have since bought the bug, but I still reach for my Shapecutter all the time.
I keep my blade tightened all the way down, and I just use one of my rotary cutting mats from my sewing room. I fly around those shapes.
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Fiskar shape cutter
