I have a Birch mat and haven't had any problems with it. I would return it, who knows what health effects these chemical odours could cause.

I had to return it :( :(! my daughter has asthma, (I only had it for two days (never got to use it)) and every time she came in the room it made her cough!!!!! I was not about to risk her health for a mat!

I have a small June Taylor one! If i can find one of hers in a bigger size i will snag it up!!

Thanks for all ya'lls input!!

Happy Shopping!

When you say "large" - what do you consider large. I just bought one from cutting-mats.net which is 37"X57" and it is wonderful. Both sides can be used so one for me and one for my DH. I also purchased a rotary cutter from them. Even with shipping the prices were better than going to a store. Before you buy anything give them a look.

about six months ago we got a bad batch of mats. they smelt so bad like skunk it took your breath away.
we called them (fiskars) and they told us to destroy them.
a friend of mine bought one, she put it in her trunk. took forever to get the smell out of her car.

It depends on whether you have a cutting table or not. I use Quilters Ruler or Salem Ruler for the table and keep a small Olfa by the machine. I like the Olfa because it doesn't scar as easy as the others. Haven't found one for the cutting table yet.

I've had my two olfa mats for about 20 years; only problem I had was with the one I lent to my daughter (need I say more?). I have always stored them on edge (behind a bookcase, desk, couch, something that will help it stand straight). I love them but realize I may need to replace them soon. The one my daughter borrowed got a bow in it (she stored it next to her frig) so I cut that end off and now it sits perfectly on my sewing table.

Yes I bought a olfa matt just recently and it did smell really bad. I called customer service at olfa and they refunded my purchase price because i still had the receipt. if i didn't have the receipt they requested that i cut off a piece and mail it back to them. I have since replaced it with another olfa mat that was on display at my local quilt shop that did not smell. My DH threw the first one out because it smelled so bad he couldn't stand it in the house and neither could i.

When I worked at JoAnn's it would sometimes drive you nuts the smell of those. Mine actually did clear up and is fine now. I
also have the big thick one that goes on their cutting table and
LOVE it.

I have purchased 3 cutting mats and my DD got me a self-healing one for Christmas which I totally love. None of them have ever had an order to it.