Does anyone rag-rug? I just started cutting some material up for working with and my hand hurts - any tips for doing this for a first timer?

[Lauriefairycake]

I have stripped the skin off two knuckles from cutting the material with the scissors

I haven't bought any hessian yet but thought I'd start by cutting some fabrics first.

Is there an easy way to do this?

Rotary cutter?
here

Or a decent pair of scissors..from same supplier...

I used to cut fabric all day, as part of my job but always had a proper pair of shears to cut it with

Rotary cutter takes the pain out of cutting fabric, I just stick weights on top of the fabric and then cut.

I rag-rug. You need very, very sharp scissors - or, as fizz says, a rotary cutter.

I also use a rug gauge - just a piece of wood with a slot down one edge. You wrap the strip round and round the gauge, then cut lots of pieces in one go.

Allow lots of time, with plenty of breaks. I find it's easier to cut on my lap than at the table - less chance of skinning your knuckles too.

Bear in mind that some materials are better torn rather than cut, too - it's very therapeutic to tear clothes into pieces!

thanks very much for all the advice - I have just bought a rotary cutter and am going to have a go

OOOh , good luck, I always really fancied doing this too, but am too lazy! Would be interested to hear how it goes once you get going!

Lauriefairycake, if I may, I made a loom a while back for rag rugs but I am not sure what weight / gauge / ???? of thread to use, or a good place to get it.
Would you have any help for me?

Thanks

Mike