Thread: Home made cutting mat

I tried taping two mats together for cutting purposes only, but it did not work. I think PaperPrincess has a good idea.

When I used to do drapes I had a very long table - over 8 feet long. My DH made me a nice smooth wood T-square over 8 feet long. I didn't worry so much about actal measurement, I just marked a V notch in pencil on the T-square location and used it as a guide to be sure I was cutting straight. Never heard of mats or rotary cutters! For corners, I used a big heavy 2' L square. But drapes aren't requiring the accuracy of quilting!

To square up now I lay the quilt on the floor, and measure kitty-corner both ways. If the two measurements are not equal I have a problem! If they are, I'm good.

I took a Craftsy class specifically on cutting your pieces efficiently and the teacher uses multiples of 17 X 23 mats. Actually, the outer measurements are bigger than that but the grid is marked at 17 X 23.

I have the large 36X59 inch cutting mat that fits my cutting table. I love it for those large projects. They are a little pricey if you pay full price, but, they are on sale right now for $49.99 or if you wait and use a 50% off coupon you could get it for about $35.00. Also, around the holidays or black friday they often have a 60% off coupon. Might want to wait for that.

I got my new flyer from Joann's yesterday and there are 2--60% off coupons that can be used between Nov. 7-11. One for a regular priced item the other for your total purchase fo regular-priced notions wall items. Might want to check them out if you haven't already.

I received the same coupons. Enablers. Guess I"ll have to make a trip to use them. It's been a while since I've shopped there but this time of year , good for those quilters in my life for gifts....Happy shopping.
Need a nice new cutting mat as well.