Cutting Cuddle® With Confidence!

Cutting Cuddle® with Confidence!
Why I Love Famoré Rotary Cutters

If you've ever cut Shannon Cuddle® fabric, you know it can be one of the softest, most luxurious fabrics to sew... and one of the fluffiest to cut!

The good news? With the right rotary cutter and a few simple techniques, cutting Cuddle® can be fast, accurate, and surprisingly enjoyable.

Today I'm sharing why I've fallen in love with Famoré Rotary Cutters and how they pair perfectly with Shannon Fabrics Cuddle®.

Why Cutting Cuddle® Is Different

Shannon Cuddle® isn't your average quilting cotton. It’s plush. It’s stretchy. It has a luxurious pile.

And yes... it likes to shed a little while you're cutting.

The goal isn't just getting through the fabric. The goal is getting clean, accurate cuts without fighting the fabric - or your hands.

That's where a quality rotary cutter really shines.

Meet the Famoré Rotary Cutter Family

One of the first things you'll notice about Famoré rotary cutters is how incredibly smooth they feel.

That's because each cutter features a patented ball-bearing design that reduces friction while cutting.

Translation? Instead of forcing the blade through multiple layers, the cutter glides effortlessly across your fabric.

Less resistance means less pressure on your wrist, less hand fatigue, more accurate cuts, and a much more enjoyable cutting experience

After long cutting sessions, your hands will definitely thank you!

Which Famoré Rotary Cutter Should You Choose?

28mm Rotary Cutter (428RT)

Perfect for:

• Curves
• Appliqué
• Foundation Paper Piecing
• Small quilting pieces
• Precision trimming

At approximately $16, this little cutter is one of the best values in the sewing room. If you love detailed work, this one belongs beside your sewing machine.

45mm Rotary Cutter (400RT)

This is the everyday workhorse.

Perfect for:

• Batiks
• Binding strips
• Most sewing projects
• Cuddle® 3
• Cuddle® Dimple
• Cuddle® Prints
• Quilting Cuddle®

At about $24, it's the cutter I reach for over and over. The smooth rolling action makes long cutting sessions noticeably easier.

60mm Rotary Cutter (460RT)

Need to cut multiple layers? Big quilt backings? Large Cuddle® projects? The 60mm Famoré is your powerhouse.

At about $28, it makes quick work of large cuts while still maintaining that incredibly smooth ball-bearing glide. If you're preparing an entire quilt worth of strips, you'll appreciate every inch of that larger blade.

My Favorite Way to Cut Cuddle® Fabrics

One question I hear all the time is:

"Can I use a rotary cutter on Cuddle®?"... And the answer is, absolutely!

For most Shannon Cuddle® fabrics—including Quilting Cuddle®, Cuddle® 3, Cuddle® Dimple and Digital Cuddle®—I recommend using a 45mm rotary cutter.

The sharp blade creates clean edges while helping minimize distortion during cutting.

For Luxe Cuddle®, Shannon Fabrics recommends using micro-serrated scissors or a craft knife because of its longer, thicker pile.

Using the right cutting tool makes a huge difference in the finished project.

My Favorite Cuddle® Cutting Tips

1. Cut From the Back: The backing is easier to see and helps keep the plush fibers from interfering with your measurements.

2. Keep Your Rotary Blade Sharp: Nothing causes frustration faster than a dull blade.

A sharp blade means:

• Cleaner cuts
• Less stretching
• Less tugging
• Better accuracy

3. Let the Cutter Do the Work: One thing I immediately noticed with the Famoré cutters is that I wasn't pushing nearly as hard. The ball-bearing design allows the blade to roll smoothly across the fabric instead of dragging through it. That means less fatigue during marathon sewing sessions.

4. Expect a Little Fluff: If you've worked with Cuddle® before, you already know. The fluff is real! A quick lint roller or small vacuum nearby helps keep your workspace tidy.

Taking Care of Your Famoré Rotary Cutter

A little maintenance goes a long way. Here are a few simple habits that keep your cutter performing like new:

✔ Remove lint whenever you change the blade (or after cutting a large amount of fabric).

✔ Add one or two drops of sewing machine oil around the ball bearings occasionally to keep everything rolling smoothly.

✔ If the blade feels loose, tighten the screw firmly using the finger divots on each side. Some sewists even recruit a helper for a little extra tightening power!

✔ When opening the safety guard, remember to press the release button inward before sliding it.

Why I Recommend Famoré

As someone who spends hours cutting fabric for quilting, embroidery, bag making, and Cuddle® projects, I appreciate tools that make the process easier.

What stands out to me is that Famoré didn't just make another rotary cutter. They focused on making one that reduces fatigue while still delivering smooth, precise cuts.

When paired with Cuddle® fabrics, it's a combination that helps make cutting one of the easiest parts of the project.

Final Words... 

Your rotary cutter is only as good as the surface underneath it.

Pair your Famoré rotary cutter with a quality self-healing cutting mat and a dependable quilting ruler. Good tools work together, giving you straighter cuts, more accurate pieces, and projects that come together beautifully.

Remember... great quilts don't start with the first stitch—they start with the first cut.

Happy stitching, and I'll see you in the sewing room! For more tips and tricks on working with Cuddle®, be sure to check out the Shannon Fabrics Learning Center.

Shon Amacker, Cuddle® Ambassador