I've been turning mine every which way to get the most mileage out of it and wondered how much use yours gets how often you have changed yours. Has it been years? Months? Thanks!

I have several in various sizes. The only one I have ever stopped using is a gray one by June Taylor. Must have gotten a lemon on that one. Threw it out after a few uses.

Mostly I clean them often and they keep very well.

Years. I bought my last one three years ago and I use it all the time.

I don't think you can put a definite time frame on them, as in months or years.

It depends on how hard you press down on your cutter, how often you change your blades, and how much cutting you actually do. We are all different in this :D:D:D

And what we are cutting. Using the rotary cutter and mat with batting leaves a lot of yuk to clean up.

Change ??? I'm still using one I've had for 10 years -- Of course I've had several that have been cut down as the original split or got too many grooves. I recently bought 2 at Walmart for summer use here at the cottage. They seem to do the job nicely -- they are probably not self healing.
Mim

I have never changed mine. I wipe it off often and keep it flat on my cutting table and I don't plan on replacing until it doesn't serve its purpose any more.

Another quilter told me that they can be restored by soaking them in the bathtub when they start to show wear. The water renews them and extends the life. I haven't tried this yet because my current mats are fairly new, but when the time comes I will certainly try it.

I've had my Olfa mat for years. I also have one of the gray June Tailor mats someone mentioned above and it didn't last long at all. I still have it and use it when I'm trimming batting. I prefer the Olfa ones when cutting fabric and think they are well worth any extra cost compared to the June Tailor mat.

I've had a June Tailor mat for about 20 years and it is still in great shape. Of course it has probably not had the hard use over that time period. I have no reason to change.

I have had mine for 10+ years and have never replaced them. I have a big one that stays in my quilting room and lays flat all the time and a smaller one I take to classes. I have a lint brush that I use to get the fabric shavings off and I wipe them both off with a damp cloth occasionally, but they are still in really nice shape.

My favorite is a Dritz I've been using for 30+ years. I've got Olfa and a Fiskars. Neither are used as much as my Dritz. I'd love to replace it, but they don't make it any more.

When the front get really bad and grooved-about ten years worth of cutting, I turn it over and use the back. I use my mats for a cutting surface only not for measuring.

I've had mine for several years and is still useable.

How do you cut them down? I have one that i punctured a hole in and was thingking about cutting down but unsure how to cut.

my large cutting table mat wore out after about 8 years of heavy use---i turned it every which way to (wear out) all available areas- and there were still some (spots) that you could cut on- but i really really used it...so had to replace it finally- but then hubby and i figured out a way to cut it into smaller *usable* mats and still managed to salvage about 1/2 of it- and i kept one (strip) about 14" wide by the length (60" i think)
i use that to slide under the edge of a finished quilt i'm trimming the edges of- or i use it when on the floor- marking- need a flat surface pins, cutters or shears wont hurt.

I've been using the same large mat for close to 20 years and I cut alot.

I have lots of mats. Most have never been used. They are expensive so when I find a good clearance sale I buy one if I need it then or not. I always have a great gift for a guilt friend when I need it. Pop out the big Olfa mat for a gift and enjoy the big smile!

I had one 6 x 18 mat finally split one me, but other than than, CHange my mat??? :shock:

My Fiskars 18x24 is over 10 years old and in great shape. When I need longer cuts, I just slide it along under the edge I'm cutting. Works fine for me.

The June Tailor 24x36 hard gray one doesn't self seal worth a fig (it's also over 10 years old), so I long ago decided just to use it for cutting matboard with a utility knife when I frame stuff...which is fairly often.

Before you throw it out, give it a good soaking in water. I read somewhere, that it makes it nice again, because they dry out over time. It is surely worth a try.

And what we are cutting. Using the rotary cutter and mat with batting leaves a lot of yuk to clean up.[/quote]

I have found the easiest way to get the batting fluff out of my cutting mat is to just use my fingertip in a circular motion. It rolls up the fluff so it's easy to sweep off.

Why use a cruddy old mat. Buy a new one.

mine is 5 yrs old and still in good condition. I clean it regularly after each project (wipe it down with wet cloths). and I recently soaked it in the tub to 'bring it back'. looks good - I'll keep on using it.