Rotating Cutting Matt idea
 

Had an idea while at WM last night and bought a 12" in diameter wooden lazysusan. Put my small cutting matt on the lazysusan and secured it with a few pieces of double-stick tape.

Now I can cut the blocks for the D4P I Spy quilt I startedwith more ease and don't have to move the matt or quilt pieces to rearrange for each cut.

Was thinking of spending a 60% off Joann's coupon on a rotating cutting matt but now I think I'll use it for regular dressmakers and another 20% off entire purchase coupon for rotary blades and a smaller rotary cutter.

Got so excited to start this new I Spy quilt, I couldn't fall asleep. Man... hate having to get up to go to wor.....it sure does get in the way of my quilting!!!

A guild member made one like this but the end of the mat kept tipping the lazy susan when she cut. It was one of the older heavy wooden ones so the new ones maybe lower to the table. Will you post a picture?

I bought a lazy Susan that is rectangular in shape at a thrift store. It works perfect! I have never seen another rectangular shaped one.

My sweetie bought the round metal thingy (sorry, not know what it is called) that goes between the layers, then cut two squares of plywood 21x21 inches and put it together in like a lazy susan. He sanded it all nice and smooth. I put a square cutting mat on it and it works great. He did get a large size ring rated to hold like 200 lbs. It was only a few dollars and the wood was scraps he had. Total cost was under 10.00. Now it is heavy but I don't carry it around. Just put it on the table when I want to use it.

Have fun making the quilt and the turn table will really make the cutting fast. I would cut mine then carry the mat to my sewing machine to join the turned pieces. I look forward to seeing you quilt. I am going to cut some more novelties to make another for my daughter.

I purchased a rectangular one at a quilt show that was actually made to fit the 12x18 cutting mat, which is actually about 13x19 if you measure edge to edge. The vendor had a lot of hand-crafted wooden things like thread/bobbin holders, ruler holders, quilt racks and ladders. It was somewhat expensive, but is hand-crafted, heavy, won't tip, will last forever. Since I usually choose my expensive purchases by asking, "Will I kick myself tomorrow if I don't buy this today?", and since I had never seen a rectangular one, the answer was a resounding YES. I've been to several quilt shows since and have looked for another, but haven't found one. So I am really glad I bought it when I did.

I used my twister. I've had a twister that you stand on and twist your body from one side to the other for trimming your waistline. It's about 15 inches across. It was in the closet for years until I started using it by putting a smaller mat on it and using it for a rotating mat. It works great. Syl

I bought a lazy susan at Ikea with the hopes of making my own rotating mat. It spun too easily , when I would put pressure on the mat edge it would begin turning. I eventually purchased one. The cost of my experimentation was costing more than buying one.

I have the same one that mckwilter has and like it very much.

I have a lazy susan and thought, too, that it would make a good rotating mat. Just like someone else said, it kept tipping when I would get to the end of the cut. Now I just lay my pieces on my smaller 12" X 18" mat, cut, turn the mat, cut again. Simple.