Rotating Cutting Mats
 

I want to gift a rotating self-healing cutting mat to my mother-in-law for Christmas. She said something about how handy one would be six months ago and I instantly put it on my gift list for Christmas. My question is, which ones are the best? I want one that will last her years.

I thought Craftsy sold one but I can't find it. Any links would be appreciated too! Thanks so much!

I have a 17" Olfa rotating, self-healing cutting mat & I really like it. I don't use it a whole lot but when I need it, I love it! I've never had a problem of it "jumping" off the bottom section (the rotating part) and it rotates very smoothly. I just have to remember to not rotate it to fast that I sling my pieces off the mat. :D

I also have an Olfa, and I love it when I remember to use it, mostly for trimming up units.

Thank you all so much for the advice! I'll certainly look for a Olfa rotating mat.

I have an Olfa 17" rotating mat. I wore it out mainly cutting 10" layer cakes to make the double slice quilts from MSQC. I need to buy another. I have also trimmed a lot of scraps on it. I love it.

I have the Martelli one and like it but I haven't used it a whole lot. I got the 3 piece set at a show. It wasn't quite as expensive at the show. You could probably get away without the ironing mat part.

https://shop.martellinotions.com/rou...tting-mat.html

https://shop.martellinotions.com/rou...tting-mat.html[/QUOTE]

The Martelli mat is on sale, 50% off, through the 18th.

NZ, I bought the Matilda mat on Craftsy and love it. I'm wondering if maybe it's sold out? I don't know. I got it for half price several months ago.
Whichever one you buy will be a wonderful gift for your MIL!!!

PS. I have the square Olfa rotating mat but I don't like it very much. I like the round one a lot better.

I have the Olfa one and it is great. Only thing is to be sure to find a place where it can sit flat when you aren't using it. My Mom had one and it warped.

Watson

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.

Love my Olfa

What will she be using it for? If cutting larger strips and pieces, a regular mat would be good. But, If doing a lot of smaller cutting or trimming, a rotating mat is wonderful! And, it is usually that 'treat' buy that we don't get for ourselves!

I have an Olfa 12" and I love it. Great gift for you MIL.

I got the Matilda mat for my birthday in October. I've only used it a couple times but it turns very smoothly and sits very steady. I got mine from Fat Quarter Shop. I just looked and they still show it on their website

I love my 12" Olfa. It doesn't wobble and is steady yet turns easily

I have the Martelli one and love it, but I agree you probably don't need the ironing mat.

I have a square mat & the Martelli and I prefer the Martelli. I purchased it during 1 of their 1/2 off sales & got the 3 pc.
I don't use the ironing mat often but am glad I got it.

I have the Olfa and hate it . It wouldn't stay together. I bought the Matilda one from craftsy . I used the Fiskars square mat and liked that also.

Martelli. I love mine so much I bought my sister one.

One thing to consider is that the square rotating mats have corners that snag things. When this happens you can mess up what you are cutting. Ask me how I know... I have since gone to Martelli's roundabout. This works much better.