I love the rotating mat for squaring up smaller blocks not over 10inches or so but I find it only works well if you have a lot of compatible rulers...i.e. 6" square ruler to square up a 6" square block, etc. etc. It saves a lot of time for me when I have multiple blocks because I like to check the square before sewing together.

I just squared up 100 half square triangles last night It was the first time I used my block loc ruler. I just got it about a month ago. Oh my how did I live without it so long.

This may help...got this tip from someone in my quilt guild group. I used it while doing a raffle medallion quilt that had a few hundred 2 1/2" HST. Saved me lots of time! Instead of the usual 7/8" added round it off (2 7/8" += 3") for your squares. Make HST as usual with the 2 fabrics. Cut on your diagonal, now you have 2 HST. DON'T IRON THEM OPEN YET! I use quilt in a day ruler for squaring HST. With them still as they were sewn, square to 2 1/2". NOW IRON OPEN. Snip off dogears. DONE! Really saves time, is accurate, & only cut once. Hope this helps.:)

I bought a rotating mat when it first came to my LQS. It doesn't turn very smoothly and I would end up turning the whole thing. I bought a bloc loc ruler at a quilt show last year. It was very pricey. I now use the ez angler ruler for making my 1/2 square triangles which come out so accurate with only 1 dog ear to cut off.

I love my 12" Olfa rotating mat. It does not wobble if seated correctly. I then use my 12 1/2 x 2 1/2 Olfa ruler to square blocks, turning the mat after each cut. Works well for me. I use coupons to get them at a good price. Different strokes for different folks.

I have the rotating mat and use it for lots of squaring up. I also cut lots of scraps for hexagons and yo-yos and find it very helpful.

I use pieces of leftover batting. Keeps things from wiggling around, too, while you're cutting. If I ever run out of that, I'll buy some cheapo batting with a JA coupon just for that.

Hugs,
Charlotte

I have had my 16" rotating mat for over 10 years and use it a lot esp. when squaring up. I like that the block does not move while I spin and then I know my square is square...
It is also useful to take to retreat as it is more firm than a larger mat. Paper piecing would be impossible for me without the Rotator!!

My 17" rotating mat makes it a lot easier to square up squares. I lay on the mat trim rt. side and top, turn and trim rt. side (was the lft) and top ( was the bottom). I have 9" and 12" squares and I don't lift the squares until they are trimmed to the size I want.

I love my rotating mat