I love my Martelli Round-A-Bout. It has ball bearings so turns very smoothly. I have the 3 piece set--base, cutting mat and ironing surface. I take it to Quilt Guild with me sometimes--it's not too large to take.

I got my Olfa 17 inch at Joann's w/a 50 off coupon...always use mine

I also love my Martelli Roundabout -- Love the smooth ball bearing movement. I also have the pressing mat and use it to take to quilt meetings sometimes. Love the Martelli company all around. And as someone said, they are having 50% off sale.

Same here...it’s a great size to take to classes and sit & sew.

My Olfa 17” came from Joann’s...coupon certainly! I love that mat and have used it for several years and it is still like new!

Cracks me up! :D

I saw a Martelli one at one of my quilt retreats and loved it. It has a pressing mat on the opposite side too. Decided to wait till Martelli had a sale as they are pricey but right now they're having a sale so that's the time to grab it. I was lucky as when I got home Martelli started a new sale and I picked mine up. I use the cutting mat part to carry my pieces to the sewing machine and then to the ironing board too as well as trimming. Its a self-healing mat and I can't say anything bad about this rotating cutting mat/pressing mat. Nice size too.

The Martelli mat is on sale, 50% off, through the 18th.[/QUOTE]

This is a great deal! I think she will love the ironing surface too.

There are so many things that come into play. Has she used one before? What does she anticipate cutting on it? How much space does she have? Will she be cutting yardage or precuts?

I have lots of cutting mats that I use for different purposes. One is 5 feet by 3 feet or so, then I have 24x26. 18x24, two rotating ones and a couple oddball ones. Brand does not make any difference to me, I am more concerned about function.


I sew clothes and use the largest one for that. I use all the smaller ones for quilting.

Does she have rulers? What about a rotary cutter?

I also have the 12 inch Olfa and I love it.