How do you store/keep your board when not in use
 

I have a great sewing desk for my machine & have enjoyed using it for piecing BUT when I try to quilt at it... my OLFA cutting mat is in the way. I have tried hanging it on pant hangers on the back of the door... but this makes them warp.... Can anyone share how they store their large cutting mats when not in use, thanks!

I have a separate cutting table and just leave it on there. I do have an extra one, and I used to just lay it flat on a shelf in the linen closet. I have a deep closet and it worked fine. Otherwise, I suppose you could store it under a bed. Anywhere should be fine, as long as it's flat and not too warm.

store flat maybe on the floor I put mine under a dresser

I have a cutting table. Can you store it under a sofa, bed anywhere there is a flat surface.

My Birch mat has a hole (presumably for hanging) so I hang it up on the front of my stash shelving unit.

I leave mine on the desk and put my machine on top of it. That way, if I want to cut large pieces, I just go to the other side of the desk and cut. If I cut smaller pieces, I just reach over to the smaller mat. My desk is out in the open, with just the end next to the window. I have a 36x23 mat and next to that is a medium size maybe 18x24 at the end of the desk. The desk is 30 x 60. Before I had the desk, I had them under the couch.

I put it behind my cabinet.

I keep mine on the table, but you could just slide it under a bed or dresser or something similiar.

I have a huge one that is stored behind a chest of drawers. But my 12 x 18 and my 24 x 30ish hang in my closet. I use those plastic hangers that have two clips on them - the kind shorts would hang on at Walmart. I haven't had any warping problems at all.

I wonder if there's something else in your environment that is causing the warping. Is the hanger touching only the middle of the mat? I can see this allowing the corners of the mat to turn down. The hanger I use has two clips - for my large mat, I hang it portrait style and the clips are at about 1/3 of the mat's width from each end.

i drilled 3 tiny holes at the edge and hang it on the side of the dresser used as the cutting table

I have cutting mats on every flat surface in my sewing room. I use them as mats for my machine and it's handy to have a cutting surface where I'm at. I have some large ones I bought on clearance standing up between a bookshelf and the wall.

I store mine either under my loveseat in the living room or under the futon in the guest room/sewing room/office. I have baseboard heating so these were the best two places that are not in front of the heaters. I purchased a large artist's portfolio and I store them in that and then slide it under where ever it is going to be for that time. It keeps them dust free, flat and protected. Also, having the handle on the case makes it easier to pull out when I need it.

Hi,
I know you are supposed to store cutting mats flat, but I don't have anywhere suitable so I stand it on edge behind my machine against the wall. I figure that if it comes out for cutting a day or two most weeks, and stays flat on my dining table for those days, I am reducing the warping problem. It's over 10 years old and is still Ok --- so take heart if you can't provide the ideal location.

This is probably a "redneck" thing, but I store mine standing in the small crack by the frig....can't even tell it is there.

I just bought a huge one 33x56. I bought it rolled up so I'm assuming that this is acceptable storage. Mine will lay flat on my cutting table to replace the ancient one that likes to eat fabric. That was the very first one I ever bought and I didn't know you didn't have to press so hard to cut the fabric.

I'm surprised the heat from the frig doesn't bother it. Maybe yours doesn't get as warm as mine.

I have my large one on the cutting table and that is where it stays. The smaller ones I have laying on a separate desk and just keep it there. I also have smaller ones that I have setting on the sewing table to cut the little trimming as I sew.

I have several mats and they all have a hole in the top. I just put a nail in the wall next to my closet in my sewing room and I hang them there. I keep the one I use the most on my cutting table and I rarely move it. The others that I have hanging, I use for taking to classes etc.

Cutting boards
 

I have an extra large cutting mat for my cutting table which I store on the floor of my basement which was once an apartment. Other I keep on the top of my cutting table or on the floor under it.

I keep mine under my bed :)

I hang mine on pants clip hangers behind the door on a wreath hook. Mine have never warped.

Having had a mat warp and not being able to 'correct it,' I now store the larger mats on the floor under my guest daybed. It can get too hot down here and I don't want to ruin another mat. My cutting table always has my Martelli mat on it, so I needn't worry about it.

ali

I never put mine away. I do store extra ones under the guest room bed,
peace

My couch is against a wall flat so behind the couch

So glad this question was posted! Several of my mats have the hole for hanging but I was worried about the warping. Right now I have them stored flat on top of a storage container but I would like for them to be more out of the way. I will try the pant hanger with the clips to see how that works. That way I can hang them on the walls to save space. I also need a method for storing my embroidery hoops. The stands made for them have them stored upright which to me would cause them to become "out of round or square or whatever". I don't like to store anything, even lightweight, on top of them but think they fare better laying flat.

I do my cutting on the kitchen counter. My large cutting board fits nicely on top of my refrigerator, which is great because there are cupboards above it, so it serves no other purpose. I also keep my larger rulers up there as well.

I keep mine on a separate table.

I store mine under the bed. Not a chance it would get warped.......Slides so easily on the carpet too. Mine is one of the large ones.
Happy Quilting

Mine stays on my cutting table, but I used to keep one behind a cabinet. Storing under something would also work.

If the mat can't be stored completely flat then it's better to stand or hang it. Be sure the weight is supported if standing so it can't bow.

I used to keep mine flat under the cedar chest. Now I just leave it on my sewing table, to the left of the machine. Works for me.

Two pieces of office store foam core board cut about 2-3" larger than the mat.
Duct tape 3 sides together to make a pocket. Slide your mat in and store against a wall.

I learned this trick in TX where the summers are so hot that mats would warp even lying flat in the car trunk when going to and from classes, shows, etc.

I also slip my rulers down in there to carry them on the move.

A benefit is that when draped or covered by a piece of flannel or batting, the board can act as a sort of design wall at a class.

Jan in VA

That's a great idea - never thought of using those hangers that wait - thanks for the tip

That is another great suggestion - I know that the Dollar Store carries foam core board- the size of oak tag

I have a large cutting board that I purchased a couple of years ago -made the mistake of storing it behind my dresser - when I went to use it - it was a little warped - I had to lay it flat on the floor & weigh it down- works fine now - but I think I will be making a trip to the store to get some foam core board - foam core is a lot cheaper to buy then a new board - and there is no room under any of my beds for the board to be stored flat.

Thanks to everyone for your innovative storage suggestions.... Guess I'll just plop mine back on my sewing desk to "store" and then plop it back on the guest bed when I need to quilt!... Space is just such a huge factor when we ask for suggestions, isn't it..... thank you to all!

I made a large flat tote bag to fit my largest mat.... slipped in a pc of cardboard to stiffen, put lots of pockets and ribbon ties on the front.... mats go inside, rulers have half pocket on outside and then small notions fit in smaller pockets.... the ribbon ties are to tie thru the handles of my scissors while the tips go inside pocket so they can't slip out if tipped.... this whole tote hangs on the wall of my sewing room, behind my cutting table till time to go to class...then it goes with me and the machine....

Under a bed they stay nice an flat