Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Rotary Cutter Mishap

No graphic photographs, just a friendly reminder not to get complacent about rotary cutter safety.

I have watched people cut fabric upside down and backwards with a rotary cutter, and it gives me the willies. I've done it once or twice and realized I don't have the same level of control that I have when I'm cutting the usual way, so I stopped doing it. However I've gotten into a habit of cutting from right to left with the ruler parallel to my body so I can see the cutting line a little better. Last night the cutter veered up on top of the ruler, and I sliced my finger wide open. It bled and bled, and it bled some more this morning. I am on my way to the doctor's office in a short while to see if stitches are warranted.

Use your tools in the way they are intended!

Update: I am back from the doctor's office, and apparently the decision about stitches must be made within the first several hours after an injury occurs; so no stitches, thankfully. The doctor said he didn't think they would have been necessary anyway. As it is now, I have to keep my finger bandaged for two weeks, can't get it wet, watch for signs of infection, you know the drill. Could have been worse, but this was bad enough!

9 comments:

Elsie Montgomery said...

Ouch! I'm the quilt police in our little group and no one took me seriously until one of the ladies was explaining something to me with her cutter in her hand, open... and she sliced my finger. She felt terrible and now they close their cutters. I hope you heal quickly.
(((Hugs)))

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

OMGosh! Hope the Dr. takes good care of you! Feel better soon...

Joan said...

Ouch - thats dreadful. I had that happen to me once and its really nasty. I fortunately keep some steri-stips handy and used them..saves stitches if you are quick enough. Hope it heals quickly..think of all the mind planning you will do ( not the same though)thinking of you.

Nedra said...

Euwww. I have known so many people who have gone to the hospital with rotary cutter injuries, that every time I hear of another one, I feel sick. So sorry it happened to you also. I hope the two weeks goes quickly and that you heal with no problems.

Valentina said...

Oh Honey! hoping you are doing better. Thank you for posting this! I saw one guy cut off the top of his finger as he was cutting fabric for us, and the worst was seeing a student (who I kept warning over and over) slice her finger open. We forget these are dangerous tools, treat them with respect! ( i always imagine quilter's whodunnit: was it in the sewing-room with the rotary cutter or the unpicker... LOL)
feel better soon, dear Sue!

Stephanie D said...

Ow! Hope it heals quickly!

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

So glad you put in the update! I hope you heal quickly. Hand injuries are so bothersome and painful.

Unknown said...

Auu, thats not good! Hope it heals well and fast!

Beth French said...

Thanks for the reminder to be careful! I hope you have plenty of fabric cut out ready for sewing. Was the ruler you were using sort of thin? I know some of the earlier rulers were not as thick as they are now and more prone to slips. Thanks for not posting a picture, too! Get well soon.