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I don't use the lines on the mats. I stick to my ruler.
I have two different kinds of mats. They measures different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormatsea45

I have always used just the markings on my ruler or rulers, and make sure that my rulers are the same brand. I have heard stories about people using two different brands of rulers for a cutting project and then end up with them not being the exact same measurement and the quilt top wasn't right. I think the same goes for using a mat with lines for measurements. I may use the lines to make sure that the fabric is laying straight, but as far as cutting using the mat instead of the ruler for measurements, no, I don't do that. My first mat was a long time ago, and it didn't have lines on it, so I didn't get used to using them to begin with. I guess I'm telling my age here, old, but I believe that for me anyway, I'll stick with using the rulers as my measurement in cutting fabric. :)

My first rag quilt I used one brand of ruler to cut the fabric into strips and another to cut the strips to squares. And may even have used a third to cut the flannel. Knowing what I know now, it makes perfect sense to me that none of my squares were actually square. Rulers can indeed measure differently by brand.

Cheers, K

i dont trust the lines on the mat. i had an instructor that turned all her mats over in the classroom because she wanted us to learn to be accurate with the rulers instead.

I've always used the lines on the mat - and that is why I DON'T like the Olfa mats - the ones with every 5th inch line thicker than the others. Also, I have a ruler on which the first quarter inch is at least 1/16th too wide. So, I use the Fiskars mats, with Gingher rulers, try to hold the rotary straight up and down, and find everything works out great.