cutting mats
 

What is the best cutting matt for cutting scraps and fabrics? I have a big one I bought at Hobby Lobby but it is already getting grooves in it. I will have to replace it. Any ideas or advice?

I prefer the Omnigrid mats that are now ONLY sold online and not in JAF stores (at least they weren't in any of my local JAF stores). They are a little thicker then normal mats and last a lot longer.

I have used two and the Olfa is by far the one that has lasted the longest. I have used mine for years and it is still very good.

If one has really sharp rotary cutting blades, one uses a lot less pressure to cut.

I think trying to cut with a dull blade and leaning on it is about the hardest thing on a mat.

My advice: use sharp blades and as little pressure on them as possible. My mat was gouged by DGDs when they did know any better - and I was not not watching them closely.

I too think you are letting your blades get too dull. Hard on mats and hard on hands and wrists.
Mine are 20+ years old and look fine...Omni and Fiskers both

I don't think rotary mats last as long as they used to. I change blades frequently and still my mat ( olfa) just does not seem to last very long. I am lucky to get 2 years use.

I like Fiskers because I find there is less fabric slippage while cutting. I still have my original gray one from the '80's, with very little wear or grooves.

I am very lucky to have my DM's very large Sewfit pinable cutting mat and my own smaller one that have both been well used for over 20 years. I also have a selection of many other mats of different sizes and two turntable mats (all bought every time I get a good sale or coupon) that I use for smaller projects. I know that if I ever replace the big ones, it will be Sewfit brand.

Mine is called June Tailor. I've had it for sometime now, would like someday to get Olfa. I've heard a lot about them.

I use the green Olfa ones~

I've had my Fiskars for about 10 years. i have to agree with the others, When I put in a new blade, I use less pressure. My mat is just fine. I also clean my blade to free it of lint. Slows the rotation of the blade making you think you have to use more pressure. My blade in my 60mm has been through 3 king size quilts worth of fabric and is still cutting well. Mat is just fine. I do use a lint roller on my mat to help pick up any lint that may me hung up. Then I take a warm damp rag (almost rung dry) and wipe it down. Then use a towel to dry quickly. works for me.

I prefer the Olfa mats as well. Remember, also, you can flip it over and use the blank side to cut. As someone said to me once...'you paid for both sides - use them'.

I have a large Olfa cutting mat that I keep on my sewing/cutting table for larger projects, but for scraps and trimming I LOVE my new Martelli Round About (purchased it for half-price during one of their Red Line Sales).

I usually use a Fiskars, have been using the same one for years. I let a guild member use my small Olfa at guild one day and she actually cut 1/8-inch slices out of it because she used pressure and not a new blade. Never again.

I have had a Martelli for over ten years and it is wonderful. You can also turn it over and use the other side.

Does anyone have the megamat?

I love, love, love my Martelli!!!!

I have the largest Martelli cutting mat that I purchased during their half price sale a year or more ago. It does not get the cuts in it. It is the best mat ever!

I use a Martelli that I purchased at a quilt show probably at least 10 years ago. Not a groove on it and it's portable too. Your can roll it up to transport it and it rolls back out flat so easily.

Martelli for a couple of years. Have 2 big Olfa mats, kept them for cutting other projects with Exacto knives. Haven't cut through one yet (I mat my own photos and size paper for the Silhouette if need be)

I would not recommend the grey Fiskars mats. I purchased the rotating on and it was badly damaged from the first use.

$69.99 for a huge 40"x60" mat! I had not heard of this brand, but it's $30 off here:
http://www.allbrands.com/products/30...ct_description

I have the large white mat from Joann's which is already cracked and has cuts that thread gets cut in -- barely used but I've had it a few years. (not the above Sew Fit brand, mine says doesn't have a brand on it)

I used to use the Olfa mats - but since I found the Martelli mats, I use only those. They are so much easier on my blades, and last so much longer than any other mat..

I also use Olfa green mats. I have had mine for over 10 years and it is still going strong. I try not to cut in the same area repeatedly and I think that helps. I don't use the lines for measuring but rather use a ruler so it is easy to move around the mat. I use the mat a lot and figure when one side gets too bad I'll just flip it over. At the rate it's going the mat may outlive me.

I don't like those white/translucent mats. They aren't self-healing so they get grooves that just stay there forever.

For any of the self-healing mats, they all last longer if you rehydrate them periodically.

I have an Alvin brand mat that I am really happy with. I bought it on Amazon - its a nice big mat (42x30) and it heals up just as well as an Olfa and only cost around $50. It's too big to fit in my tub for a soaking so I wipe it down with a hot wet washcloth periodically to help keep it hydrated. It's about 2 years old now and other than a spot where I got some paint on it (oops) it looks almost new. LOVE that mat!

It's gridded on both sides; one side is black, the other side is green. I've used both sides but the green is easiest on my eyes. It also has a nice "centering" set of measurements marked, with a zero line near the middle of the mat and numbers counting outwards in both directions from there. Great for trimming down blocks evenly. :)

I bought a Martelli when they had their 50% sale. Pricey, but works great and is two sided, yellow and purple for dark/light fabrics.

I have the June Taylor 24 x 24" mat. You have to order them online from JoAnns. I really like them. I use the fronts for initial cuts of fabrics and the back for squaring up blocks. I just replaced the first one I've owned for about the last 10 years. The lines were fading off. This time, I bought 2 because they were a steller price on sale. I had another one. It was bigger. I can't remember the name. It was awful, I couldn't stand the feel of it. And it got grooves really easy. I couldn't wait to get rid of it. I only had that one for about 2 years.

I agree with what everyone else said about your rotory blades. You use a lot less pressure to cut if your blade is sharp.

I splurged on the large Martelli mat and it is nice. Expensive but very thick. Mine came with a paper that said not to roll it up though. It was shipped flat.

Recently, I got mine at Tuesday Morning and paid $15.00 for it, 23 X17 inches, flexible, sef healing, black grids on one side and white on the other made by American Crafter. So far, I love it, particularly the self healinIg and bendable. I do believe it may be focused on paper crafting but it advertises various mediums including rotary cutting for fabric.
Note: When cutting fleece the lint will remain in the grooves preventing the cut to self heal, so next time I will use an old one for my fleece cutting. BTW...all but my small mats are so used the print is nearly gone and the grooves are like pineapple outers.

I prefer Omnigrid. No scientific proof, but I feel the hard Olfa mats dull my blades much quicker!