Cutting Mats
 

When I started quilting I got the Olfa beginner's cutting mat & rotary cutter. After 2 years of abuse, it's time for a new mat. What cutting mat would you recommend, including size.

I have used several, but it is the Olfa mat that I really prefer. I have the 35 x 70 that covers my table. I would say buy the size that fits your budget. I have read good things about Martelli but they did not have one the size that I wanted.

I just purchased one of the large mats you mention, Camping Angel, how do you like it? It is still rolled up tightly and is one the way to my sewing room. Does it take long to flatten out on the table? How do you store it if you close down your sewing table?

I have an Olfa mat that is 15+ years old and another one about 8 years or so old. you can clean your old mat up with water and scrub with a nylon scrubbie. lay flat to dry. should come out good as new. i've never done that to mine but that was what a man at a quilt show was telling customers.

I have tried many different mats but keep coming back to the "tried and true" - my Olfa mat.

I have tried the soaking thing, etc and it helps but 'good as new' NOT!! It helps but I use my old one(s) for cutting fleece and batting. Olfa seems to be the best!

Also check the back some can be flipped over . I like the self healing the best :)

I am in need of a new mat, mine has warped something fierce. Ill make sure to look for the OLFA mats next time I am at the store.

Can't go wrong with an Olfa mat! I have several sizes and they just work perfectly for me!

I have always used the Olfa self healing ones. Had good luck with these. Was even able to "unwarp" mine after leaving it next to the radiator in my sewing room. I agree with the others...it depends on how big your cutting space is. I love my large one.

I have never seen an Olfa mat that came rolled up. Mine came in 3 sections that clip together. They were in cardboard packaging. I once bought one of the white ones that Joanns sells. It was rolled up but did not take long to lay flat once I had it on my table. Also, I never close down my sewing table. I have a protective table cover that I put over it when I need to use the table for something else.

Mine is al Olfa too and about 35 x 24 and use it constantly. It is still in good shape but I hear you can turn it over and use it without the lines and make the mat extend the life of it.

I prefer Olfa. I recently replaced my large mat after 12 years. I have a smaller Martelli, was very pricey and wasn't that impressed (too expensive).

I have both the 36x24 Olfa mat and the larger Martelli mat. I use the Olfa at home and when I am traveling with DH I use the Martelli because it can be rolled up and does not warp. I really like them both but if I had to pick one over the other it would be the Martelli.....expensive but worth it for me. I have used the others that you can buy from Wal-Mart and they work well just don't last long.

I just bought a new large matt. Its the green one, Olaf. I got a 50% coupon at JoAnn and then went on Senior day so I got an extra 20% BESIDES. The self healing are the best. Once a year I soak it in the bathtub and it revives it quite a bit. I cut uo the warped one(ironing mistake) and use the pieces for stabelizers in the bottom of swimming bags etc.

I have tried them all and I prefer the Olfa mat. They last longer and you can use both sides.

Love my olfa. I have three different sizes. I really like my 18" rotating one. It works great when trimming blocks.

I prefer the Olfa mat. Over the years I have had several sizes . The one I find the most useful is the 24 X36. I do have a few smaller 6X8 inch mats that I used in small area , rather than take the big one to a different table.

Do note that really new fresh out of the box Olfa mats SMELL! They need to have time to "breathe" to get rid of the odor. If its been out of the box in the store for awhile , there won't be quite so much. I must have gotten a particularly "fresh" one , cause I thought I skunk let loose in or near my car when I was driving home. It stayed in the garage for a month or two to complety air it out.

I have a self healing Olfa. I have a large one. I put it on a bath towel on my dining room table and wash it, using a vegetable brush. I use distilled water and a squirt of dawn dish soap, then follow up with a rinsing. Let it sit till dry and then I use a Quilt board sanding disc. It's like new

I have read before that some smell really bad. I have never had that problem. Each section marked on the large mats is identified with a letter. Someone had the theory that the ones that are marked with numbers instead of letters are manufactured at a different plant and they contain a slightly different materiel that creates the smell.

I ordered a new mat from a school supply company I found online. The price was $15.00 less than those in the LQS. I have used it for two years now and it is good as new.

My large mat is a KAI, bought it years and years ago and it is still great! But my favorite mat is the rotating Olfa 17 X17! I do lots of triangles/etc. and this rotating mat lets me turn for the next cut without moving my fabric!!!!