Hello, everyone. My first time writing on the board. I would like to thank you all for (inadvertantly) answering so many of my quilting questions! What a wonderful group of people! I taught myself to quilt about 7 years ago and am always needing a question answered! Anyway, we had to move and my cutting mat was in storage for a few months. Needless to say, my husband did not store it properly. It is terribly warped (rippled). I have tried everything that I can think of to straighten it to no avail. Are there any suggestions, or will I have to purchase a new one? (It is the large cutting mat, 36x24.)

Welcome!

Hot sun with heavy weight on top of it ?

Some say in the oven low heat... not sure I would try that :shock:

It is definately hot enough here to do that. Did try it. It worked on my smaller mat but not completely on the larger one. Thank you for your reply. (Don't think that I will try the oven!) I did try ironing it with a towel covering it, didn't work either! :)

Thank you so much!

Hi and welcome to the board. I have a feeling you may have to get a new cutting board. You may be able to salvage portions of your big one to take to classes and such.

I just logged on to Joann.com and they have a 50% off code for any non sale item. The code is WHF198. I then did a search for cutting mat and the Olfa one in your size is not on sale and is regularly priced at 49.99 so with the coupon code you can get it for $25.00 plus shipping.

Welcome, glad you joined us. If the hood or trunk of your car is flat try placing it there first, let it cool, and do not move it until it is. I used to live in Yuma so I, too, know all about your dry heat, LOL.

Hi, welcome from northern Minnesota!

Yes, I agree with Feline Fanatic, I think you'll have to get a new cutting board. That happened to me once too and there wasn't anything I could do to flatten it out.

Sorry ...

I found just time laying flat worked, though that won't help you be able to use it now. Maybe just find a nice flat spot (under your bed?) and leave it there for a few days and see what happens? Always works for me.

Rachel

Hello and welcome from SW Iowa. Glad to have you here.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!

You might try just laying it out flat for a period of time in a warm place. Mine had been rolled up while I was moving. When I took it out of its box it was curled and wouldn't lay flat. It finally did flatten out; don't remember how long it took. Try placing some large sheets of board over it to weight it down. Hope you get it to smooth out because they are expensive to replace.

I heated mine up with the iron and placed it between the boxspring and mattress of my bed. That helped. It did warp the measuring lines. I have since cut it up and use it for Bow Tuck purse bottoms, small cutting surfaces etc.

Welcome from Ireland

hi...i am new here too. but have moved a lot with hubbys construction jobs. so have had a few issues ....and one thing i have found is if the cutting mat gets hot...warps and then sorta wrinkles...it won't flatten out again. it seems to act like metal in that way...it is, i guess, stretched???....at anyrate...when mine did that i finally gave up and got a new one. but....if there is enough of a flat area...you can cut a small cutting mat to take with you to quilt group/guild meets...you won't have the measures but you have a small cutting surface to take with. good luck!

Mine was badly warped. I waited till the sun had warmed the driveway up really hot, then went and drove my car for awhile and got the motor good and hot and then threw the mat on the hot drive, under the hot motor. It helped, but didn't completely flatten it, but mine might be worse than yours, so I'd give it a try.

Welcome!

I'd just get a new mat and use it for an excuse to augment the gadget collection just a little further. Especially with a 50% off coupon! :D

Yes, and tell your husband you HAVE to make a trip to the fabric store. And hey, while you're there, you may as well stock up on some other "notions". I always hated it when my husband decided to ride along.

Welcome from southeastern Michigan!! 8-) I just finished reading all the advice everyone has given you, and I don't have anything new to add. Aren't these people wonderful!!!??? :thumbup:

Oh my gosh, yes! I have always "sat" on the sidelines and just read the board or have done searches for some specific question that I wanted answered. Now I feel like I officially belong! Thank you all so much! Have decided to use coupon and purchase new! It's actually my husband's fault anyway, right?!

Right!!

here's what one lady told me...her's got warped and she took a big cookie sheet and put it in that with a bit of water and then put it in the oven and heated it till hot. Then take it out and drain the water but leave the mat in a sunny place till completely dry.

just an idea lay it out on a flat surface and use your hair dryer.

I straighten out the folds of a new plastic shower liners by putting it in the clothes dryer with my towels or other bulky items. you have to watch it then take it out on something flat top and bottom. til cool. :?

Welcome, Waving from Indiana, USA
I am so happy you joined us and lots of cool things to do on the quilting board site. If you ever have a ? please post so others can help you out. We love to answer your ? as there are no dumb ?.

You will get addicted to this site fast. Have fun and Happy Quilting!

good luck on your cutting mat, probably have to buy a new one

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D
So happy that you joined us!!!

This happened to me too. I tried everything, then I bought a new one a my husband is NOT allowed near it !!! WELCOME.

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!

Try using two pieces of quarter inch plywood. Paint the top of the top piece black and set a few bricks on it on the sidewalk. Leave it out all day or maybe even a couple of days. Try anything, it can't hurt. Or, even clamp them together and leave them in your car in the sunlight.

If nothing works, get a new mat. Don't bother getting a new husband, this one's probably learned his lesson. :lol: :lol:

my big matt warped in the sun also, so I got a Martelli matt and if it gets hot and warps you can lay it flat and heat it to unwarp it, still have my big warped one use the side that is still flat.and for cloths cutting out. good luck and welcome!!

Whatever you do don't throw away your cutting mat. Slice it up and use it for the bottoms of tote bags.

I agree save yourself a headache and purchase a new one...but try to salvage this one as best you can or cut in half and use as a craft mat for cutting applique....never throw anything out it can be used for something.

I would try SUNSHINE and a couple of heavy books.

That is a wonderful idea! I design and make purses and totes. Only for family right now. Will it work if the mat is all "ripply"? Thank you for your idea! Everyone has been so helpful!

Hi! I've only been on here a month, but I have learned so much from everyone! I like roguequilter's idea of cutting it apart for some smaller mats if you can't get it flattened out. Welcome!

Hi from Tucson...

I just cut mine up for a smaller mat where it was not warped and take it with me always.

HI and welcome from Alaska!

Hello and welcome from Boston Ma. I'm sorry to say but I think you will have to buy a new mat. Even the slightest warp can set your quilt way off.

Welcome from Michigan.

Welcome from Oregon.