Rotating mat and squaring up of blocks ???
 

I have about 50 1.5 inch HST's to square up. So I thought I'd make the task easier and buy a rotating mat(good excuse, right?) 40 percent coupon at least.
I don't have many specialty rulers. So I bought a 2.5 and a 9.5 square.
But now I'm not sure that the rotating mat is of any use in this application.
If I use either of those size rulers I still have to reposition. I was thinking I could just spin the whole thing around.
Also the 2.5 ruler "rocks" on the HST.
I've always just used my 6x12 ruler and moved it ALOT.

So my ???'s are do you need a square up ruler the finished size of the block to make the rotating mat worthwhile? That would be a lot of rulers.

I'm questioning my rather expensive purchase of the mat.
SVAL

There are blocks that you make multiple cuts across like cutting 2 diagonals across a square and the rotating mat is great for them. Not so useful for squaring up.
The rocking thing bugs me too. Maybe someone has a good solution for that.

I do find when I have that many HST's to square up the rotating mat does help. I just use my normal 24" ruler though. I don't have many specialty rulers. I have found that using the same ruler - or at least same brand ruler - throughout the quilt makes a difference. I place the 45 degree line on the seam line of my HST and trim from there. Still have some flipping of the ruler but spinning the blocks on the mat does make it easier for me.

The rotating mat made it a lot easier to square up HST's. I got a small one and use a ~6" square ruler. I thought the small square ruler was easier to use.

As long as you are working on HST's, let me enable you a bit more. Check www.blocloc.com & watch the video. No rocking! You can get a ruler that is bigger than the block size you will finish, so get one that is able to be used for your most often made blocks. As you will see in the video, you're going to slide it along the seam line to sliver trim, so a bigger one will work for different sizes. That said, I'd suggest one that isn't too much bigger than what you need - an inch or two is fine, but having a giant one for small blocks is more cumbersome. LOVE them.

this is a pretty nifty ruler! thanks for sharing

I agree with Cam's Gram. When I first bought the rotating mat, I didn't use it much. But when squaring up a lot of HST, I pulled it out and after using it a bit, I really like it. For me there was a learning curve to remember to turn the mat, not the block, when I was squaring!! Duh! And I really like a square ruler to square up (imaginge that!) especially one that is bigger than the block, so I can see how it measures and if it really is "square". For me, sometimes it is hard to see the edges when the ruler and block are the same size. I like a 6 1/2", e.g. for blocks less than that so I can see where exactly the block edges are. Just something to think about.:)

I don't have a rotating mat because they are SO OVERPRICED! You can do it easily with a smaller mat.

I know that others can cut perfect HSTs with their regular ruler, but not me! I really agree with the bloc loc ruler solution. They are pricey, but worth every penny. The channel makes it easy to position, it doesn't slip and as you mentioned, keeps it from rocking. While you can get away with the 6.5 inch size, and cut that size & anything smaller, I've been buying the other sizes as needed for specific projects. If I have to cut 100 HST for a project it's worth it to me to have the right size Bloc Loc ruler and my rotating mat. The job goes quickly and the accuracy is wonderful. I think the only place that sells all the sizes is the manufacturer, so no 40% off!

I have the 12.5 square rotating mat and use it a lot! Half price coupon made it affordable for me.

Oh Wow. That is so cool!!!!
Do you think I'd need the rotating mat with those? It seemed easy enough the way she did it in the video. Could use my $$$ for rulers.
SVAL

I have / did the same....and i have to say it's one of my favorite "tools". It is REALLY great for doing any of the D9P or D4P from MSQC.

I agree! Love my bloc loc!

I bought the first rotating mat when it came out and it is rectangle and made by Elna. The mat can be replaced using any 12 x 18 mat. I use it for most all small cutting jobs. My guild has the round and square rotating mats and they are handy to have when needed. I use the Bloc Loc rulers to square up HSTs. The right tool for the job is always best.

I have several of the rotating mats. I thought they would be great for squaring up, but since you have to move the ruler anyway, I find it easier just to turn the block.

I've been considering buying a BlocLoc ruler for squaring up small blocks for exactly the reason you state - on small blocks, the ruler always wobbles.

I didn't use my rotating mat much until I took a class on "disappearing" blocks. We made disappearing pinwheels, and being able to rotate the whole mat when doing the second set of cuts was priceless. Don't consider the mat a waste; you might find a better use for it in the future.

Same here when I got mine. Never had "rocking" issues, though. I use mine a lot.

I really like Eleanor Burns' way of trimming hst. I don't have to open them up, just trim the tips and then the sides, open up and press.

I thought she meant that the ruler she used was great, it rocked!lol

My rotating mats don't rock, very useful tool. Mine are fiskers, I think it is the olfas that rock.

Another option, if possible:
I have a cutting center on wheels where I can go around it rather than needing to use my Brooklyn Revolver or the rotating mat. This works great for me. I do the moving, not the fabric or the mat. I still have the rotating mat for classes and sew-ins.

I agree with peaceandjoy! The only wat I can square up small HST is with the Loc bloc templates...your revolving mat will be real handy for that! The templates will not slip because a groove in them grabs that diagonal seam...they are fantastic!!!

I've used both the long ruler and a smaller sqing ruler on the Brooklyn revolver rotating mat, you can use whatever you want, no rules here.

very nifty... I think I need one. I will also check out some of their other rulers. To date, I have not purchased many rulers, just the basics for my cutting mat but as I explore new patterns, I need to get a few special rulers.

when I replaced my cutting mat I cut the old one up into smaller pieces, that's what I use for a rotating mat.

I have a set (2 1/2, 4 1/2 and 6 1/2) and they are fantastic. Perfect every time!

Another option for a rotating mat is to use a lazy susan. My rotating mat doesn't seem to rotate smoothly so I place a cutting mat on an old marble lazy susan and work that way. I also love the blocloc rulers for squaring up. I have another lazy susan sitting to the right of my machine to hold tools, pin cushion, etc.

I have a smaller rectangular mat and just turn the whole mat. It works the same.

Locblock Rulers are the way to go!!
 

These rulers are the way to go!! They are expensive but so worth every penny! Wish I had purchased these as soon as I started quilting. They make squaring up fun! Love them!!!

I am making a mini quilt that has many 1.5" HS and QS triangles. I was lucky to purchase a June Taylor ruler designed especially to cut these when it was on sale with an additional 20% off at JAF. It works for squares that are in 1/2 inch increments. The regular shape cutter works for squares that are in even inch increments. It sure beats tearing the paper off of triangles pieced with tangles. As for the rotary mat, I have one, but a small mat works just as well.

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