Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Repurposing cutting mats >

Repurposing cutting mats

Repurposing cutting mats

Old 11-21-2011, 02:13 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
bfvsloggie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Grass Lake, MI
Posts: 19
Default Repurposing cutting mats

I have 2 cutting mats I no longer use. One is warped from being left in a hot car, the other is a brand I did not like. I started to throw them out and then it occurred to me someone may have found a way to reuse these mats. I'm looking forward to seeing your input, thanks.
bfvsloggie is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 02:36 PM
  #2  
Power Poster
 
amma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
Posts: 58,856
Default

You can cut one of them smaller and use it as a rotating mat on top of your other one for squaring up blocks.
They would make good bottom pieces for purses and totes too
amma is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 02:45 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Drue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Grapeland, Texas
Posts: 573
Default

My DH takes my old ones and uses them in his shop. He put one on a top of a cabinet or something and he can use it when he needs to cut something with one of those retactable razor cutters that all guys have...LOL( I have a couple as well). He used one for a neighbor that wanted him to make a fish cleaning station for him...he screwed the edges down on a treated piece of plywood next to the sink for the cleaning station...works like a champ! Now they can clean the fish and not cut into the wood and it can all be cleaned and hosed off and be outside in the weather. I have also cut one into smaller pieces, using the sections that I didn't "use up" to have little cutting areas next to my machines and to carry with me when I need a small cutting mat.
Drue is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 03:01 PM
  #4  
Power Poster
 
QuiltnNan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
Posts: 51,433
Default

Originally Posted by amma View Post
You can cut one of them smaller and use it as a rotating mat on top of your other one for squaring up blocks.
They would make good bottom pieces for purses and totes too
Amma, thanks for posting that. I have a large, a med and a small mat. i never thought of using the small on top of the other for rotating
QuiltnNan is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 03:03 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
EmbQuilt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 627
Default

I've read that some people cut them up for the bottom of purses
EmbQuilt is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 06:56 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
DonnaB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mesa & Forest Lakes, AZ
Posts: 1,481
Default

Cut them up with scissors, in smaller lots, to take to classes. If you have too many small ones, offer them to your quilting buddies.
DonnaB is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 07:16 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
quiltinghere's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PROFESSIONAL Longarm Quilter NW Indiana
Posts: 3,400
Default

Either cut the good parts off and do lots of cutting on them in an effort to save your new big mat.

If it's not too terribly warped (and maybe if it is) you can always try to use contact cement to glue it to a smooth board. You apply the cement to both the board and the mat, then put them together. It may take a couple of people to get it smooth. You'll also need weight to hold it down while it cures.
quiltinghere is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 07:26 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Victoria, Australia
Posts: 260
Default

They would cut up into wonderful templates. The bottom of handbags has already been mentioned and indeed another good idea. DH would like it for lining tool boxes, cutting on in workshop.
Merivale is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 07:30 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,920
Default

thank you. some very good ideas here
Susanna10 is offline  
Old 11-21-2011, 07:33 PM
  #10  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Port Charlotte, Fl
Posts: 2,569
Default

The first mat I bought was at lunch time and I left it in my car while I was in work not realizing that the heat would make it warp never could get it to lay flat again. Thanks for the idea of cement and a board sounds like that would work. I'm so glad it wasn't one of the big mats I was so upset when I saw it. We do learn by our mistakes. Sue
ging10ging is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frolfsen
Main
17
10-24-2011 10:21 AM
quiltinghere
Main
9
07-27-2011 04:06 AM
sherriequilts
Main
14
05-02-2011 12:52 PM
jaciqltznok
Main
104
02-25-2011 07:24 AM
sewhappy30
Main
67
08-29-2010 02:17 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter