Whaddya MEAN you don't cut with the lines on the mat?!
 

After reading several posts from various members talking about using their rulers, I still wasn't really understanding how you could cut without using the markings on the mat, and only rely on the ruler for measurements. It took a wonderful member here to actually spell it all out (with idiot-proof pictures- THANK YOU!) and get me to understand the how-to of using my rulers.

Great link! I have seen one of my quilting friends cutting her fabric not using the lines on the mat and I always thought what is she doing? Now I know! Huh! The things you learn just from reading!

I always thought it strange when someone DID use the lines on the mat! I could never figure out why there were measurements on my mat. . . I have always used the lines on my ruler. I just recently started to use the mat's lines when I am cutting FQs from yardage . Boy does that make life easier!

I rarely use the lines on my mat except for squaring up. My mat has a handy "zero" line down the middle with numbers counting outwards from that in both directions, which makes it easy to center & square up blocks. Otherwise I line up on either a torn edge or (more often) on a fold like described in the tut.

I use both.

I also use both.

as do I. to each their own.

The numbers on my mat are more of a distraction to me than helpful, I always cut using my rulers

I use a two ruler method ... one for cutting and one for measuring. I never use the lines on my mat ... not even to square up (I use a ruler for this as well).

The only time I use the lines on my mat is to get a rough measurement of fabric to decide if I have enough, or which direction is the best for cutting.