I'm just beginning to learn to quilt. I bought a green rotary mat and it is warped. Is there a way I can flatten it out?
Thanks, Di

Di,
If you just purchased the mat, take it back. It is a defective product. Warping usually happens when the mat has been exposed to heat (the sun or iron).

If you think you warped it (sun or heat), iron your table surface, quickly place the mat atop and then stack heavy books in an attempt to straighten.

The mats will also crack if exposed to extreme cold. Sorry you having this problem as a newbie, but hang in there. Blessings. Suz

I saw some large rotary mats displayed on end at fabric store badly warped for have been so, so long a time. So you have to take care as to how you store them when not in use also.

I used to store my mat on the floor under the sofa far away from the heater board. I do not do it any more because I have a cutting table. Alex Anderson gave a great tip in one of her programs<< use skirt hangers to hang your mats>>. Why couldn’t I think of that before? It just makes so much sense to me!
Lucia

Yes, I either saw that on a recording from Alex's show my sister made for me or I heard it somewhere, but had forgotten. The idea of hanging from a clip-style pant hanger is a great idea especially since I have one of those over the door place to hang things in my work room it would be very handy. Thanks for the reminder. :lol:

You are awelcome. Glad I could help!

I used a skirt hanger and my board warped real bad. So now I lay flat on my table or store flat under my bed. :-)

:shock: I wouldn't have thought that would happen. Well, I settled my problem of storage by using large metal clips an just clip it to my craft table then even if I lower the table leaf the rotary matt stays put, this is my biggest one I keep on the table all the time. I have a smaller one I store against the wall between wall and a bookcase. I know I am not the only one who has more than one.

Didn't you have a source of heat close to the place where you hang your mat? I only can talk for "Olfa" cutting mats; I never had a problem. Did you take it in the car or trunk of car? I am just surprised for what happened, but glad you found a solution.
Lucia

The heat vent is up by the ceiling, so the heat could have got to it. :oops: As it was hanging across from it.