You do have to be careful on the placement of the grain. Just think, if you put the fabric down on the matt and the stretch is going the same way the cutter goes across the matt, its going to stretch the fabric and you won't get the correct size. Even if you starch, the fabric will stretch. I don't do mine wrinkly, I want accuracy, that's why I have the GO. If your pieces are for applique and you fuse the backs of them, you should be safe to cut them because the fusible will stop them from stretching.