lazyquilter

I have this cutting mat that is 30 by 36. I have had it for as many years as I can possibly remember. At the time I purchased it I thought, OMG, this is expensive. If I were to attempt to replace it today, I would probably have to take out a loan. I have seen in several of the catalogs this little thingy that is supposed to even out the knicks and lines of time from these mats.

Has anyone within the huge group used one, tried one, borrowed one.... and if so, would anyone have an opinion on the worth while of having this item in our quilting area? So many new items that I don't know how we managed to get by without over 15 to 20 years + or so. Thanks much..

LUV2QLT

I've got that thingy - round with a handle - mat smoother - works OK on small shallow cuts & nicks - but not on deep ruts or missing chunks.

I know those large mats are about $50 or more - and I also need one - so either getting it on line somewhere - or Joann's with 50% off sale or coupon. Might need to checkout prices at Mill End too - sometimes they have really good prices on misc. items.

lazyquilter

Thank you. Fortunately, I have no chunks, etc. missing, just wanting to do a bit of "light housekeeping" to get a bit longer out of this fantastic mat. The ones I have seen in the size I want are well over $100+ and they are hard to find. Having a larger then normal mat has kinda spoiled me when I would have to use a smaller mat, even one that is 18 x 24 is not comfortable for me. I guess I just spoiled myself when I was able to work, but if and when I do have to bit the bullet, I will attempt to find the same size. My dear Les will just have to forgo dinner and snacks for a month or two. Heck, why should two of us suffer... thank you again. Since kinda inching myself into this wonderul quilting group I have just really enjoyed picking up some wonderful thoughts and ideas. Thank you all again

LUV2QLT

You're welcome - this is a great place to come to for help, ideas, & suggestions! I've only been a member since January, and have received lots of excellent advice from members - they're the best!

I've also used one of those sponges (dry) that has a fine soft scrubbie material on one side, using very light pressure, rubbing back & forth, all in one direction (side to side), wiping with a damp sponge, and then if needed, using the scrubbie side and going over it again in the opposite direction (top to bottom), then damp sponging it as a final step. The key is to go all in one direction - NOT IN CIRCLES - then in the other direction.

Better than nothing, and if it doesn't help, it's time to 'bite the bullet' and get a new mat! They (like so many other things) weren't meant to last a lifetime!

Jois

I grab a handful of scraps (too small to save) from the trash and rub over the surface of the mat and that seems to do it just fine. My mat covers half the door that I use for a sewing table and I turn it around every so often. Wish I'd bought a square one!

Jois

Pam

Try this, a whole new mat, turn it over! I find the lines distracting for some things.

ktbb

amen! the ultimate in recycling. and even when both sides seem to be unusable, cut it into smaller sizes, throw away the really unusable parts and use the others for smaller size mats.

Jois

LOL I bought a 30 x 36" Dritz cutting mat years ago so I'd have a safe surface for exacto blades for just about everything but fabric. It had a plain bumpy side (like the skin of an orange) and a smooth side with numbers and lines. I didn't want to spoil the side with numbers so I used the bumpy side. And now for fabric cutting I still use the bumpy side - it's self healing, I rub it with fabric scraps if I see threads stuck in the mat. I use rulers for cutting fabric those numbers are on the edges where I can't imagine ever having a use for them. I don't think Dritz makes it any more, at least I can't find any like it. but if I ever buy another it will have to say "self healing" someplace on it.
Jois

lazyquilter

I love the way the threads of the posts run and at the end there is usually a website link to exactly what we are speaking about. I have already bookmark the link on my regular favorites. Now I have to save up to buy the 30 x 42" mat to replace mine if the mat cleaner thing doesn't work.

I type and then forget to do a manual spell check, it appears that on occasions I am typing in another language. Fortunately most quilters can read pretty much anything to do with quilting.

littlehud

I'm going to try the suggestion of rubbing scraps on my old cutting mat. I hope it helps.