christinej

I have been making 3d cards which have a lot of cutting. I bought a new pair of decoupage scissors but still the edges are rather tatty. I tried a knife but could not move it all round the small edges. Please can anyone help
Christine

Sharon Poore

Hi,Is the ink completly dried or could it be the paper/card,I know when ive had trouble in the past its been one of them or i know they are new scissors but are they as sharp as they could be,i have had new scissors that werent just as they should be,apart from those suggestions i dont know what else it could be,but the card makers and designers on here are great perhaps one of those will be able to give you better advise,Sharonx

Valerie Dawes

My own personal way is to first of all print the main 'body' bits of the card on sturdy card - 210gsm or so, and then print the decoupage elements on to something lighter and easier to cut; a lightweight photo paper or proprietory decoupage paper. This way I'm not trying to cut tiny detail into chunky sheets of card.

I use a sturdy scalpel and a metal ruler to cut out straight sections and a Siesta cutting knife for the detail. This has quite a narrow blade and is also comfortable to hold like a pen. This way it doesn't slip around in your fingers.

I think that a really important thing is the surface you are cutting on - a self-sealing cutting mat tends to 'grab' the fine bits that you cut and tear them, giving a tatty end product. I always cut on a glass cutting mat. They sell these in lots of craft shops for about £10.


I've found too that it's really important to start each new important project with a fresh knife blade - they dull very quickly but kind of imperceptibly, so that it's only when the tears start to happen that I realise I should have changed it hours ago!


Oh - and if I want to relax in front of the tv with my cutting and use scissors, for the detailed areas I use a little pair of snips with curved blades. I find I get less 'scissor-wobble' when using only the downward snip action as opposed to to having to open and close the scissor blades, and the curved shape really does seem to fit better around the intricate shapes. Also I always cut out the element roughly to start with so that I am not trying to manouevre an A4 sheet.


I seem to have gone on rather here, but do hope there might be some bits among it all that might help you.

Happy snipping!

Valerie

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Anne Perks

Hi Christine

I use a Swan Morton scalpel I use No 10 blades for straight cutting and a no 11 blade for decoupage. The number 11 has a different tip to the 10 which makes it more and easier manouverable round the little corners and fiddely bits.

My hubby introduced me to the no 11 blade as he bought them by mistake and couldn't use them. When you look at the tip of the blade it seems to have a tiny bit under the tip, this does my cutting and it is very flexible for doing awkward bit. Unlike the 10 which is harder to manouver round the corners.

Like Valerie I use a good self-healing cutting board and change the blades regularly. I also cut the bit out roughly as there is nothing worse than manhandling an A4 sheet for a tiny bit of decoupage.

I only use 140 gms to 160 gms weight paper but that is because I have difficulty with my wrists and can't manage the heavier (thicker) paper.

Enjoy your crafting

Anne xx

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christinejay

thank you so much for very helpful replies I love making the 3d cards but they do not look as good as I would like. Now I am sure they will be better
Thanks
Christine

Julie McGregor

Hi I use 130grm paper and find it fine I get 100 sheets for just over £2. I find it fine for decoupadge

Lorraine Appleby

Hiya I tend to use a knife for most cutting and decoupage and 90% of the time on 190g, if there are fiddly bits i put ds tape behind the section to be cut and turn the paper rather than the knife when i am cutting apart from the odd hiccup this has kept me sane (okay it is debatable but not on here okay!!! ) Scissors just make my hands hurt. I will look at the blades you mentioned Anne anything to make life a little easier. Til the next one crafters keep smiling

Amanda Mcgee

I love decoupage snips (the tweezer type). I have used the same pair for over 5 years now and they have done alot of cutting, they are alot more comfortable to use than scissors. I use a craft knife for awkward bits and agree with Valerie that you do have to change the blades alot.

Amanda

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Suzi Cooper

I bought a Wescott Titanium craft knife & this works brill, plus maintains its sharpness longer than standard blades. The blades are a bit more expensive than the standard ones but worth it. The knife also has a rubberised cover on the piece you hold which makes it comfortable to hold & use.
I also found pairs of scissors in a Chinese shop for 1€ a pair. They have a slightly curved tip & very fine blades. These are great for doing intricate cutting & way cheaper than decoupage scissors so it doesn't matter if they get a bit blunt you can throw them out & get a new pair.
Lorraine - are you sure it keeps you sane? We will have to arrange another lunch for the "Costa Blanca Cuppers".
Suzi
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Lorraine Appleby

Hi Suzi, i did say my sanity was debateable but not on here lol! I think the scissors you bought are nail scissors and they are good but hurt my hands. Will look into the Westcott knife ....assume it was bought in uk??? Love to meet up again but on condition my sanity is left out of the conversation keep smiling Suzy