Welcome from Ontario, Canada. My favourite mats are Olfa, I use Omnigrid rulers and Olfa rotary cutter. These are what was available when I started quilting. There are other good brands available now if you check in your local quilt shop or sewing centers. The many wonderful videos done by the Missouri Star Quilt co. Will give you a good start on quilting projects. I like both regular piecing and paper piecing depending on the project.