cutting mat
01-20-2008, 08:29 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Idaho Falls
Posts: 1,907
Originally Posted by barnbum
Tiffany--I don't quilt as much as I'd like--but it has seen a lot of use. Besides that I hate getting used to a new one--and I'll cut myself!! :roll:
~Tiffany
01-20-2008, 01:36 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 405
Quilter J: I think the reason not to use cutting mats for measuring is accuracy. The line on mats are often wider and by cutting on one side or the other on some pieces can change the size of a whole block by the time you put many pieces together. I try to use the same ruler for cutting a project for the same reason- I tend to position and cut more consistently.
01-21-2008, 08:56 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Idaho Falls
Posts: 1,907
Sorry, somehow I missed this post completely. :oops:
The lines on cutting mats are not accurate. Some are better than others but almost all of them seem to have at least one area that is off. What you can do to check your mat is to take one of your rulers and simply lay it over your mat and try to match up the lines. You may notice where the lines on the mat drift from one side or the other compared to the lines on your ruler. I used to use the lines on my mat. I would be super careful to measure and cut everything out just right but there were times my pieces wouldn't sew together right and I used to get so frustrated! It wasn't until I took an Intermediate Piecing class that I learned mats are not printed accurately. I measured my matt and was stunned when the differences added up to about 2 inches, with one area between the 16-18 inch area on my mat really being off. :shock: It wasn't easy but I forced myself to use only my ruler for measuring and I have to tell you, my piecing has become very accurate since then. Yay! I will typically use one line on the matt to line up my fabric, but otherwise I measure everything with my ruler. It does make it easier when flipping a used mat over and using the blank back. I simply draw a horizontal and vertical line with a permanent marker and I'm good to go. :thumbup:
~Tiffany
The lines on cutting mats are not accurate. Some are better than others but almost all of them seem to have at least one area that is off. What you can do to check your mat is to take one of your rulers and simply lay it over your mat and try to match up the lines. You may notice where the lines on the mat drift from one side or the other compared to the lines on your ruler. I used to use the lines on my mat. I would be super careful to measure and cut everything out just right but there were times my pieces wouldn't sew together right and I used to get so frustrated! It wasn't until I took an Intermediate Piecing class that I learned mats are not printed accurately. I measured my matt and was stunned when the differences added up to about 2 inches, with one area between the 16-18 inch area on my mat really being off. :shock: It wasn't easy but I forced myself to use only my ruler for measuring and I have to tell you, my piecing has become very accurate since then. Yay! I will typically use one line on the matt to line up my fabric, but otherwise I measure everything with my ruler. It does make it easier when flipping a used mat over and using the blank back. I simply draw a horizontal and vertical line with a permanent marker and I'm good to go. :thumbup:
~Tiffany
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