I bought a slotted cutting mat, (the lines are cut thru the clear plastic mat) and have had no luck using it...anyone know just how? Do I use the ruller also? Please help.

I can't even imagine such a cutting mat!!
Will be interested in what comes next!!

I fold my fabric in 1/2 twice on the selvage---fold selvage to selvage then the fold to selvage (just like when cutting with regular ruler) still making sure that the fabric isn't twisted.

place the bottom line along the final fold of fabric with the uneven cut edge of fabric just past the "0" line. cut up the "0" line to get your first straight edge. If you want 2 1/2 inch strips cut up the 2 1/2 strip slot. If you are looking for squares or rectangles you then turn your mat 1/4 turn, place the line on the fabrics cut edge and cut our fabric in the correct slot. I don't cut triangles with this ruler.

I find that I have to hold the ruler firm to the fabric one slot over from the one I am cutting. My rotary cutter moves the ruler just a smidgen to open the slot for the blade. Just like any ruler if you start with this one finish with this one. If I am making a complete quilt it really doesn't matter if all of the blocks are off a 'smidgen', but if it is for a swap then I use something else.

Good luck. I know it took me awhile to get the hang of this ruler, but when I remember to use it my cutting is so much faster. I would like the bigger one, but make do with the one I have because of price.

I have used this type of mat for strip cutting and it works well for me. The key for me is to carefully place the rotary cutter in the "tear-drop" shaped opening at the bottom of the mat and then move the rotary cutter up the opening. Once you get use to using it I think you may find that it can save a lot of time cutting strips because you don't have to move the mat for each cut.

I LOVE these things. I am hopeless at cutting with a regular ruler, but these are a quilting lifesaver for me. CoyoteQuilts gave you some great tips, and that is pretty much how I use mine. It really is worth persevering with this particular tool until you get comfortable with it.

I like them so much that I have bought every variation I could find, including the super large one.

I agree that once you get the hang of it.. you will use it all the time.

I can't imagine cutting strips without it.

Wow, I need this mat. Would someone post a pic of it. Please.

I have the Quarter Cut & Shape Cut slotted rulers I use mine mostly for fat quarters- find when trying to do the selvage to selvage gets slippage but also found if use smaller rotary cutter got better results.

This sounds alot like the June Taylor rulers not mats.

I love it when I have a lot of strips to cut of the same fabric. Works great for me. May take a little practice but you'll get the hang of it.

I found some some clamps at Harbor Freight and I use those on my circle slot ruler. I clamp the ruler & fabric to my cutting board in 2 places. They hold really well and I make all of my cuts perfectly.

Thanks for the tip about the clamps. I have used this type of ruler, and experienced slippage. I think I'll try again now.

Are you sure it isn't a ruler that is slotted, called the Shape Cutter? You'd lay the fabric on a cutting mat, put the ruler on top and run your cutter up the slot?

Has anyone else had trouble with the slots becoming nicked and impossible or should I say impassible? to use.

Aren't there videos on June Taylor's website showing how to use this? :D:D:D

It is a June Taylor cutting mat..you guys are so knowledgeable...how did I ever quilt without you? I will look for the June Taylor web site, didn't think of that.

I saw it on Fons and Porter a couple weeks ago. They maked where they wanted to cut, then just ran the rotary cutter down the slit. It looked pretty easy. My quess is that you have to have a pretty sharp cutter.

I got a NEW June Taylor ruler at a garage sale for 25 cents and had no idea how to use it. Thank You guys so much. I will try it today. I knew it was good for something. I love this board!!

Thanks for the idea to check the website! Now I have even more ideas dancing around in my head. The videos are helpful and show more uses than I would have thought of on my own.

I have the quarter inch ruler and just used it for the first time. It was a great help trimming some scraps into blocks. I have trouble sometimes with my larger square-up ruler.

I have one and I love it for cutting strips. It is quick to cut several strips. On,y draw back is that you have to add correctly when adcancing. eg- When cutting 3.5 in strips need to advance 7, 10.5 ets. Sounds silly but I have missed cut several times if not careful.

I have had the large 18" June Tailor slot rulers for over a year and I absolutely love it. Now if I do use the regular rulers they seem to take so much time to cut. For me the price was well worth it.

I have one and have used it with success, however, sometimes my blocks are larger than the plastic thing can take.

I have the ruler also, I love it, its so slick to use. Its so much easier than a regular ruler, now there I have the slippage. But this June Taylor is great. Love it, in fact have bought one for all my quilty, sewing friends for Christmas gifts. Once you get the hang of it, you too will love it, its so easy.

Rita

A mat is what you put your fabric on to cut using a ruler.
The June Taylor slot cutter is a ruler not a mat. I use mine a lot. I also use it to square up a block.

I also use a piece of painters tape (leaves no residue) on the right bottom of ruler. this holds the ruler down when I make my cuts. If need to cut a larger piece, gently slide the cut pieces aside, replace ruler and tape, and continue.. I love mine. good luck.

I put sand paper dots on the back of mine so that it doesn't slip or slide while cutting works great. The first time I saw this was on elenor burns quilt in a day. bought one and been using it ever since. I mark the slots every 2 1/2 inches with pink tape, and just cut away. Or whaterever width your using. LOVE IT! :)

So many ideas, and happy I asked these wonderful ladies how to use it.

Tried to find the information on Coyote Quilts but I didn't have any luck. Would you be able to provide a link? (Great blog by the way. Found lots of other interesting stuff!)

Try June Tailor's website and videos.

I have one of these. It is nice for making strips, since I didn't have to keep moving the ruler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KcoJ2m_HtU
This link had videos showing how to use many of the rulers and mats.
I love my June Taylor ShapeCut.

I have the large one with cutting lines at half inch intervals, hoping for the quarter inch increments one for X-Mas...I love it.

I have had one of those cutting rulers for 3 years and never used it until one of my quilting friends was over to do some work on our charity quilts. She showed me how to use it and I love it. Haven't had to cut anything recently, but it will work for squares, strips, etc. When I get better at it, I think it will be the only ruler I use. So hang in there and get the practice. It will be worth the effort.
barbb

I have one of those rulers too, but have never used it.....maybe I should get it out! ;-)

Ditto from me! I have 3 of them............I LOVE them.

kwiltnutt

I took a piece of masking tape and wrote common additions on it (like 3.5,7,10.5, 14 etc) that I use frequently and stuck it to the top of the shape cutter.

I have the June Tailor mat. I had difficulty with my larger rotary cutters but my smaller cutter went through with no difficulty. I recently used mine for cutting binding, sashing and strips for pieced blocks. If you put your hand on the right spot, the mat does not slip. You can also put the little pads underneath to keep it from slipping. Once you get the hand of it you will not go back to a regular ruler for cutting strips.

I have one also which I bought some years ago. It is used for the blankets that you tie the ends and are not quilted. I helps with making the ends even. Does that explain it or are you totally confused now!!! LOL

I have the Shape cut plus and it works great..I would like to get the Shape cut pro because it covers the whole 45" fabric folded once...buuuut since it is pretty pricey not likely to happen soon..LOL

There is a small rotary cutter that is made to use in this type ruler, I think is is made by Clover