When I purchased my last cutting mat, I got the biggest one I could afford at that time. DH took it to his radial arm saw and cut it in 3 sections about 18" each. Now I have one I have never used and two that are used in 2 different cutting areas--one on the back of my Hinty Stretch Frame for trimming quilted quilts and one at my cutting table.
Phyllis
82 yrs in Oregon
70 yrs quilting

I use my old board for cutting the strips into the tied fleece blankets and cutting for or trimming batting from quilts because either of those things leaves a lot of residue behind. But after reading this thread, I have that particular "old" board soaking in vinegar and water and I write this. I might just rejuvenate it!! I also use the back side. Works just as well and I cut only by the rulers then. Works great!

After much use I had the same problem. I purchased a mat smoother and that did the trick. As long as you don't have holes it made it almost like it was new again. Good Luck.

Supposedly if it is a "self healing" mat, they say to soak small ones in the bath tub in warm water for 20 minutes and let it air dry flat. I am trying my mat - 40 X 72 - by pouring a small amount of water and rubbing it around and letting it air dry. Mats too big for the tub I would do the same way. First clean it with a little mild detergent and a light abrasive spunge to get the threads and such that have gotten in the cuts. Once it is clean, wet it and let it sit.

Is there a way to fix a warped cutting mat?. It is only on 1 side as a hot iron got was mistakenly set on one end? Thanks

Hi
Our Walmarts in Georgia have gone back to carrying fabric on bolts and a lot of quilting supplies. I understand that all Walmarts are going to be the same.

I just checked Walmart's website under Crafts/Fabrics. They have a brand called Creative Cuts, 44" cotton at $7.97/yd???? I get better pricing at Joanns!!! Boy I hope that the store fabric by the bolt prices are better....if they ever bring back fabrics to the CT stores...

I found the only way to make an old very used mat new again is to replace it with a new one. They are made to be used up. I think getting couple of years use from one is very fair for the price.

I bought an Alvin mat for draftsmen or quilting. They are marked like any cutting mat and are self healing. You can get them in clear or green, mine is clear. I have been using it heavily for over 6 months and it has yet to get scars from my rotary cutter. You can get them in different sizes and they aren't any mor expensive than the others. I find they are a heavier weight. I believe I bought it from Amazon.com.
Doris1334

I flipped mine too. However, my board is a lite transparent one and I can still see the marking thru the board.

Long before I flipped my board, I used a piece of crocus paper which is like a fine sandpaper. I have also used a very fine sandpaper, wet and lightly sanded down the bumps. Got a lot more use before flipping. Anything to save a buck. Got the WS tip from my Dad. He used to build furniture for a hobby. Then another way is to win one at your local ASG luncheon like I did.

Mine is very, very "groovy" on the left end. I'm going to turn it around and use the other end; I have marked the inches with Sharpie so they're correct. Maybe I can get a couple more years use out of this one...and the next one will be bigger. I have used the 18" x 23" since they were invented and I'm ready for a bigger one.

SIGH.....I live in Metro Atlanta and am just waiting..... I love the $2.44 a yard fabrics for trying out new blocks!

You are all brilliant people with all of the wonderful suggestions and ideas. Bravo. Hug

Helen

no suggestion but my bubbled up on me and i gave a lot for it and i don't know why but i do know that you can get the one that heal them self's i know they are a lot also maggied

Somewhere on this board it has been said how to renew your board by soaking it in water .Help anyone know what i am talking about. LOL. I don't have a bathtub so I have not tried this as of yet I am trying to figure out a way to soak it. :mrgreen:

Somewhere on this board it has been said how to renew your board by soaking it in water .Help anyone know what i am talking about. LOL. I don't have a bathtub so I have not tried this as of yet I am trying to figure out a way to soak it. :-D

Several montha ago I posted advice from a manufacturers Rep who said that to keep your mat in good condition for longer periods to soak them in warm water(in a bathtub) for about thirty to fortyfive minutes and then hang them to dry. This can be done every few months and by renewing the moisture it helps the selfhealing to take place. You can use just a few drops of dish soap if you wish but it is not necessary. I do an occasional scrub, dry, with a plastic scrubby like you use on coated cookware. This removes any fibers trapped in cuts on the mat when there is a lot of fiber in cloth or batting. I tried to turn the mat over when cutting batting butkept forgetting.
The Rep also said you could straighten your bumpy mats somewhat by placing them on a cement sidewalk or driveway early in the day in a place that will receive sunshine later in the dayand let it absorb heat and leave it there till the sun went down and then it should be usable again. Hope this helps you/

First, thanks to whomever for the hint about soaking in vinegar/water, etc.-I wonder if that will work for the mats used with fab cutting die machines-talk about grooves in mats wow, is all I can say there.
If your rotary cutter is missing while cutting, maybe the blade has a nick in it and needs to be replaced...I find that is my problem when that happens.....just another thought on the subject.

forgot to give an idea on "cleaning" mats....I have a plastic scouring pad (?) nearby that I use to wipe down mat with occasionally...especially when cutting flannel....seems to get the linties that might accumulate in the tiny cuts on the mat. I'm going to try the wet bath towel on a small mat I have to see what happens...experiment time......

Jane- there IS a solution to your problem- buy a better board, dont just go to Joanns and buy one, get a creative mark artists cutting mat from jerrysmatarama.com, the are less expensive, 3 times as thick, i just bought one, but my mat from joanns was wearing out too, doesnt matter what size you get, the big one is only 34$. ill never buy another mat from joanns thats for sure, i got a 24x36 and it weighs 5 pounds!! and with a better board, you will have longer blade life too.
good luck,
katz

Check out Walmart. I was in one yesterday and they had one of the larger ones on sale for $17! Good luck!

I lay mine on the dining table on top of a large towel. I use a small amount of dish detergent and distilled water. I use a soft brush and go over the mat. Let it sit for 5 min, then go over it with distilled water alone. let that sit, till dry and then go over it with a quilt board sanding stone. Good as new!!

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discou...tting-mats.htm

they are on sales right now until the end of October. I don't need one but if someone does...........

What is a quilt board sanding stone? thanks

50% coupon in holiday flyer.

sanding disc... I call it sanding stone

thank you thank you I did not relize that you could clean your cutting board, What a smart people we have on this board, to ask the right answers and then all the cool tips. I just love this board,

The back of my board is black with gray markings. I find it very difficult to read the black lines on my ruler against the black of the cutting board so I never use that side. Is there a way to sand or paint the board so it is not so dark?

I had the same problem with large white one from Joanns; I only it a month or two when I noticed it. I don't think it's self healing. I started using my old mat again.

My cutting mat is bad too. I made the mistake of cutting batting on it and it stuck in the cutting grooves...can't get it out no matter what I do. Now I have the skipping problem too.