get the bigger Olfa mat..the Fiskars are not the best...

I bought the 12 inch, then later the larger one. I tend to forget i have them but when i do, i use them and love having them.

OK I'm a newbie. Rotating Mat? Please explain.

olfa definately will last the longest. I have several, but the one I seem to use the most is one I picked up at a tag sale, olfa something like 26 x 35. It is the best!

I have the larger one, I think bigger is better. Nancy's notions have a special with both sizes for a pretty good combined price.

I like the smaller one by Olfa. Of course I use it mostly for paper piecing.

I would get the largest mat you can afford that fits your
space you will be using to cut your fabrics. Add a rotating mat when you have extra money. Love the rotating mat.

I have all 3 and always end up using the Olfa mats. I don't like the finish on the Fiskar mat.

me too!

I have the fiskars rotating one, it actually works fine for me...I do wish the rotating ones were even bigger than the 17" one, like my regular mats, I have 2 of the 24x36 ones, so am kinda spoiled to them...but when I am heading to my quilt guild, the fiskars works fine...and I have had no problems with it staying on the base when rotating it...
Good luck,
Kif