Cutting felt?

[hawkeye10]

I have made 30 crosses and 21 of them are going to the Sunday school class at church. The base is 4" across and I need to cut felt for the bottoms. Being that there is so many what would be the fastest way to cut them? 

[oldhudson]

I'd make a template from thin scrap pw or hardboard to layout the cuts and then cut with roller scissors like these https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Contour-Rotary-Cutter-195210-1001/dp/B000B7M8WU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494506019&sr=8-1&keywords=roller+scissors

Make sure you are on a good surface for cutting.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I assume you are using stickyback felt. I would rough cut the shape with scissors and then stick it to the bottom and take a razor blade and trim the edges following the contour of the base. Do it all the time and it works fine but I am never in a hurry. Bad things happen when in a hurry. Do it right the first time.

[hawkeye10]

47 minutes ago, oldhudson said:

I'd make a template from thin scrap pw or hardboard to layout the cuts and then cut with roller scissors like these https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Contour-Rotary-Cutter-195210-1001/dp/B000B7M8WU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494506019&sr=8-1&keywords=roller+scissors

Make sure you are on a good surface for cutting.

Berry what you suggested is what I was thinking about. I wasn't thinking about the rotary cutter. Thanks

[hawkeye10]

40 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

I assume you are using stickyback felt. I would rough cut the shape with scissors and then stick it to the bottom and take a razor blade and trim the edges following the contour of the base. Do it all the time and it works fine but I am never in a hurry. Bad things happen when in a hurry. Do it right the first time.

John I do not use sticky back felt. I used it one time and it didn't come out good.

[Grumpy Old Bear]

If you do use a razor blade for the final trim I suggest using a new blade and it is a good idea to start cutting in the middle and work towards the corners. This helps prevent the felt from coming loose while you cut it. 

[MrsN]

I made a bunch of felt badges for a school event and cut the pieces using the scroll saw. If you sandwich a bunch of felt between two pieces of thin plywood it will cut. If your shape is a simple rectangle, a razor or roller wheel will be faster. 

[hawkeye10]

2 hours ago, MrsN said:

I made a bunch of felt badges for a school event and cut the pieces using the scroll saw. If you sandwich a bunch of felt between two pieces of thin plywood it will cut. If your shape is a simple rectangle, a razor or roller wheel will be faster. 

Miss Katie I would have never dreamed a scroll saw would cut that. I am cutting felt for 4" circles and went and bought a roller wheel but I didn't like that. I went back to my razor knife and did okay. I cut a pattern a little less than the 4" base then used the razor knife to cut around the pattern. If your using the roller wheel to cut a straight line it works great but for me the small circles is not a good idea.

[WayneMahler]

I have been gluing mine to the base and carefully cutting it with sharp scissors, I'm sure there are other ways but this has worked well for me so far.

[redwine]

The roller wheel cutter was meant to be used for straight line cutting of fabric which is the best way to cut it. It will not cut circles very well and could be a little dangerous to your fingers holding down the felt and maneuvering the cutter around. What MrsN says is true and it works very well, just be sure that the thin ply is pressed very tightly to the felt and there will be no problem cutting.

Erv

 

[amazingkevin]

On 5/11/2017 at 7:06 AM, hawkeye10 said:

I have made 30 crosses and 21 of them are going to the Sunday school class at church. The base is 4" across and I need to cut felt for the bottoms. Being that there is so many what would be the fastest way to cut them? 

Lets see the crosses!

[blights69]

I glue the base and then stroke a donkey  not really I cut close with scissors then glue on then trim with new blade/craft knife. I like the idea of Katie though sandwiching the amount you need in ply n cutting on the saw will try that next time see how it goes

[hawkeye10]

20 hours ago, amazingkevin said:

Lets see the crosses!

Here you go Kevin.

I am not sorry about the bad photos because it's the best I could do.  

[blights69]

They are very nice thanks for adding pictures 

[spirithorse]

Beautiful crosses and bases. I'm glad you got some useful answers/solutions to your question.

Thanks for sharing the pics and God Bless! Spirithorse