Using grid lines on cutting mat?
 

I am left handed and lay my fabric on the mat and use the lines on mat to line up my fabric and lay my ruler down on the mat and line the ruler up with the lines top and bottom of the mat to cut. A person at the guild told me never to use the lines on the mat to measure. I have been doing my cutting this way for ever. Is this wrong? I don't know how I would do this otherwise. Thanks for your help.

I use mine in that fashion too. I've measured the lines on the mat against the ones on my rulers, and they're the same, as they should be.

I have also heard not to use the lines on the mat as they may not be accurate, but...I still do, I learned that way and it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

I use mine all the time. If it works, it works. It's just another of the many things some people will say "never" do or "always" do. You've got to do what works for you. If you are happy with your results, why change?

It sounds like it is working fine. I wouldn't worry about it. The only problem might be if the measurements weren't right on the mat, and I think that would be unlikely.

Dina

Thanks for all the your answers. I am an old dog and thought, I am not going to start over , if it works.

Do you have problems that may be caused by the way you cut your fabric? If not do it the way you want! I use the lines on the ruler as much as possible because cutting on the same line on my mat can cause problems to my older mats. putting cut ridges in or even removing some of the lines by cutting away small amounts every time you cut. (these are not self healing mats, I've never had one of those) just remember to keep the fabric you want to use under your ruler. If you are cutting left handed keep non used portion of fabric to your left. line up correct line on ruler with the raw edge, an make your cut like always. Just do what works for you and enjoy the process!

My personal opinion is that if you are consistent with the way you cut, it should all come together perfectly! If you were to use 2 different ways to measure and cut, then I can see some problems arising.
JMHO

Your ruler is more accurate. You should use two rulers to square up your fabric then cut using your ruler not the mat grid.

Compare the measurements on the rulers you use to those on your mat. If they are the same you have no potential problems. And as has been mentioned already...if you aren't having problems with your blocks fitting together you are probably doing ok.

Use mine all the time with no issesmy rulers line up perfect with my mat, do whatever works for you, I ignore the quilt police

I use mine, too. What you want to do is use the same measuring tools all throughout your project. That will ensure consistent sizes.

I use the grid lines to line up the edge of the fabric on and double check the ruler measurements against the grid lines before I cut. I too know the lines of the rulers are the same as the grid lines. My sewing or cutting hasn't been off unless I was using the wrong measurement on the pattern. (Ugh! more than once!)
I line up the straight edge of the fabric. Then I use one ruler on the right side (I am right-handed) to line up my measurement needed along that straight edge of the fabric. (The left edge of the ruler will be onto the fabric.) I make sure the fabric edge is exactly on the measurement of the ruler. Then I take another ruler on the left side and butt it up against the ruler on the right. Double-check the measurements up and down the rulers against the grid lines on the mat for accuracy, slide the ruler on the right out of the way, and cut the fabric on the edge of the ruler that was on the left. Becomes habit to use the ruler markings and to use two rulers for accurate measuring and cutting. When I do it this way I can place the fabric anywhere that is convenient on the mat. Doesn't matter how big of fabric pieces I am cutting, I use 2 rulers for measuring and cutting. For me, the mat grid lines are just for straightening up the fabric, but all the measuring and cutting is done using rulers. I learned to do it this way because lining up the fabric to the 0 marking on the mat drove me nuts. May sound anal but I have to have the measurements on my right, because I am holding down the ruler with my left hand.

When I was in the learning process, one of the first classes I took, my sister in law and I were cutting and using the lines on the mat. The girl who taught the class told us that the lines were not accurate, since that day I do not cut any pieces for a quilt using the lines on the mat, but use my ruler. Now that does not mean that things always line up perfectly, they do not at times. That I blame on my 1/4 inch foot on my machine. I have a time of positioning it just right and a line of tape to get the 1/4 inch. I have found when I start out with something new, as quilting was, if I am shown the correct way I keep on doing it. Just my thoughts. I do use the lines when I want a rough bit of accuracy for some things.

My grandmother cut her quilts using cardboard templates and a tape measure. If it works, it works. Let them do their's the way they want and you do yours the way you want.

I just measured my ruler vs mat tonight...they are the same...use the mat to measure all the time. If it ain't broke...don't fix it! Go with what works for you.

This is the way I was taught. I'm a newish quilter and someone showed me the ruler method which I now mostly use.
I do however 'revert' when I've got a big piece to measure and occasionally for straightening.
Do it the way you like best and are happiest with.

I use the lines on the mat if I am cutting a strip larger than my ruler. The lines on my mat are rather wide and I'm not sure I always line the ruler up in the same spot so I'm concerned about inconsistencies. I prefer to use the lines on the ruler if possible.

it's a personal decision...i use a ruler. i would think that one reason would be that the fold of the fabric is hard to hold down in position to the grid.

Jenny Doan uses her mat as a ruler all the time and she's an awesome quilter. She's featured in 'Quilting Quickly' this month. She has so many videos out and has a thriving online and mortar quilt shop. If she does it, it can't be wrong! She's left handed also.

When I started using the mats and rotary cutters, the board didn't have lines...now when I get a board that does, I don't use them. I use the lines on the ruler. Much more accurate.

As the self healing mats get older, they do "dry out" Then you might have a problem. I was told to soak mine in water, then dry it off, lay it on a towel and allow to air dry. Never lay it in the sun though. It worked! Great way to re-new your cutting mats. Helps with the self healing.

nah, there are no "shoulds" if you are happy with the results.

I say to use whatever technique works for you. However, it is a good idea to square up as you piece. That way you will know two things: 1) that your cutting is accurate; and 2) that your sewing is accurate.

The main reason why a ruler is more accurate is because of the size of the marks on the mat - they are much thicker than on the ruler. As many others have said, if you are consistent in the way you cut and you have experienced no problems, why change. When you do use the mat, try to be consistent in where you put the ruler - left side of the mat line, right side or center.

I double ruler my cross grain cuts and almost never use the cutting grids. I use a 12 1/2" square ruler along the fold and the 24" long ruler to lay across the fabric to cut. If the lines on the two rules line up with the folded edge I know the cut will be right. That is of course after I fold the material straight.

I do use the angle markings for cutting 45 and 60 degrees. But I always do the double ruler with that too.
peace

I too was told a ruler is more accurate than the mat when I first took a class. But I use my ruler instead of the matt for the following reasons:
1. I am not constantly cutting on the same line thereby wearing out my matt on an often used measurement like 2" or 2 1/2".
2. I am not limited to cutting in a certain direction or position by using the ruler instead of the mat.
3. Can't imagine cutting a 1/8" measurment using the mat/
4. Rulers are much more portable than mats, especially if you have a big mat. It is best practice to always use the same measuring tool when working on a project so I can cut at my machine or at my cutting table by using my ruler.

I use them also. However I am also left handed. I place the material on the line, the ruler on the material and cut it with my left hand. It works for me.
But I have noticed that the lines are becoming permanent after many years of using only the lines to orient the cuts. Even after I clean the mats the lines are still there. The self cleaning green mats are not as damaged as my large 68 x48 white commercial mat.
MaryKatherine

I would stick to whatever works for you...Women didn't have cutting mats, rotary cutters etc back in the day..you don't hear that they did it wrong do you...LOL...

lol well I use mine too, and what else would you use. its there and I cannot imagine a reason not to use it.

Yep, Divokittysmom, you hit the bullseye, IMO!

I'm a firm believer that if it works, don't fix it. I was taught to square up with 2 rulers and not use the mat so that is how I am use to doing it. But if you have done it your way for a long time and it works, keep doing it.

I used the lines on the mat exclusively for years, ad my poor mats are showing the wear, so I have started using the mat lines when I need to make a very long cut, or a cut something wider than my widest ruler, but otherwise use the ruler lines and cut across my mat at odd angles to avoid the "ruts". I haven't found any problems with cutting discrepancies so far, but my current project is very forgiving so problems may show up in future, more precise, piecing that aren't an issue now.

Alison

If its an even inch measurement, and it doesn't have to be really precise, then I use the mat. But if its something like 2 3/4", I can't visualize that adjustment on the mat every time and use the ruler, so mostly I use the ruler. But, hey, if you're not having any accuracy problems, then do what works !

IMHO that's what those lines are there for. I use them.

I totally agree with Feline Fanatic. If you always use your mat you might well have a groove distortion from cutting in the same place a lot of times. I'm not willing to buy mats that often. With my ruler I can start and stop where I choose and in increments I choose.

I rarely use the lines on the mat at all. And just the thought of lining the fabric up on the mat lines AND then lining up the ruler with the mat lines boggles my mind. Seems like too much! I have been quilting for over years and have satisfactory results just using the ruler.

But use whatever method works for you.

Love your signature

I use the mat to square up fabric and I've also run my rulers and measuring tape along the lines to see if the measurements are the same and I've seen no difference.

Perhaps the weight of the ruler on the fabric makes the ruler "more accurate", but I wonder - if all these matt manufacturers were not accurate, how could they stay in business???