help with fiskars shapecutter - any tips on using it properly??

[foxtrottingtotransylvania]

Does anyone else use one, with the shapetemplates? i can't get the hang of it, the paper and template slip and it's hard to follow the template edge.

[SoupDragon]

I never got the hang of it either.

[foxtrottingtotransylvania]

oh dear, that doesn't bode well for the pile of 50 xmas cards i was hoping to do.

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[foxtrottingtotransylvania]

this is getting worse

[fubsy]

Is it really this bad? I was wondering whether to get one.

[soapbox]

Stick the paper to your cutting mat with some repositionable tape. Stick the template to the paper with a couple of small blobs of blue tac.

The biggest thing is to make sure that the blade on the cutter is set at the right level. If it is too short it won't cut through, but tear the paper, too long and it drags on the cutting mat. You need to experiment a lot until you get it right

You then need to hold the template and sort of push the cutter against the template sides as you cut. Sometimes you need to play about with cutter a bit at the beginning until the blade is facing the right way.

[Twohoots]

I found it difficult too but thought it was just me being rubbish !

[scarybluealien]

buy a sizzix or big shot

[Pixiefish]

It's not that bad. I get on fine with mine.

Place a cutting mat on a flat surface, then the paper to be cut and then the stencil. Be careful that the blade is cutting the right way and then follow the stencil. Test the deepness of the blade first as this varies from paper type to paper type.

I've never had a problem and I love using mine. I also have the Big Shot and Tagalong btw