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-   -   How many of you use cutting mat lines when cutting fabric? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/how-many-you-use-cutting-mat-lines-when-cutting-fabric-t92154.html)

Iamquilter 01-21-2011 06:01 AM

I never use the lines on the mat.I have been quilting for over 35 years and now use the Go cutter which is accurate.

amorerm 01-21-2011 06:11 AM

I always do this with large pieces. Smaller pieces the width of the ruler, I follow the ruler lines. Small square pieces, I use a square block ruler that size to block. Not everyone has these to fit the size of their required block. I've collected a few as the years went by.

flikkem 01-21-2011 06:11 AM

I had always used my mat and a friend told me that's not the right way to do it - she indicated the lines weren't as reliable as a ruler (or maybe she had been taught that way). I haven't had any accuracy problems using my mat, so continue to mostly use my mat anyway. Sometimes I use my ruler, whatever is most convenient.

Debbie B 01-21-2011 06:13 AM

I'm fairly new to quilting & I think I use my ruler more as a straight edge to the lines on the cutting mat. Wish I knew someone that could come over & show me how to use the ruler for other cuttings.

GammaLou 01-21-2011 06:37 AM


Originally Posted by mom-6
Sometimes I will use the lines on the mat and sometimes I'll use only the lines on the ruler. If it is a measurement wider than my ruler that's the only way it can be done! For the ones that are within the ruler's width I usually don't bother with also lining it up with the lines on the mat.

Same here...both work best for me. :thumbup:

katlady 01-21-2011 06:40 AM

I do not use the lines on the cutting mat as some of them may be off. I only use my ruler for cutting.

JeanDal 01-21-2011 06:49 AM

I use it so guilty as charged. :)

quiltingaz 01-21-2011 06:49 AM


Originally Posted by mom-6
Sometimes I will use the lines on the mat and sometimes I'll use only the lines on the ruler. If it is a measurement wider than my ruler that's the only way it can be done! For the ones that are within the ruler's width I usually don't bother with also lining it up with the lines on the mat.

This is what I do.

Baloonatic 01-21-2011 06:52 AM

If my ruler isn't wide enough, I use two and butt them together. Rarely do I use the mat lines. I don't think they are as accurate as a ruler.

stormatsea45 01-21-2011 07:10 AM

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. :)


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