Rotary Cutting Mat: Which one?
03-17-2019, 12:27 PM
#31
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,916
I use all brands of cutters with any brand of mat. Also use different brand of blades in different brands of cutters. How else will I know which ones I like best. I take a selection of different brands to retreat so anyone can try them out before buying a different one. The Quilter's Select rotary cutter is the one everyone loved at the last retreat.
03-17-2019, 03:12 PM
#33
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,189
After spending big bucks for years on cutting mats that didn't seem to last; I finally evaluated how and where I cut on the mat. I press hard due to a hand injury and seem to always cut in the same general area. I've started buying double sided mats whenever I can find a bargain or use a coupon. I also lay an old mat over my good one when squaring up blocks and the cutting lines aren't needed.
03-17-2019, 04:46 PM
#34
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,916
I don't get the expectation of a mat should last for years if used regularly. I buy a new mat I use the most at least every two years. My blades seem to last longer using a newer mat. Some say turn it around, flip it over, sand it down, soak it in water, why? a brand new one eliminates all that.
03-19-2019, 05:16 PM
#35
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
Originally Posted by dee1245
I have cut batting with a layer of newspaper over the mat, under the batting. It prevents the batting from embedding itself into your cutting mat.
03-20-2019, 02:08 AM
#36
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
Posts: 51,433
Originally Posted by dee1245
I have cut batting with a layer of newspaper over the mat, under the batting. It prevents the batting from embedding itself into your cutting mat.
03-24-2019, 06:58 PM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Vancouver Island, Beautiful BC
Posts: 2,090
I buy what is on sale and get the largest I can afford.
I have a couple Olfa mats, a huge SewFit one that I bought second hand and Fiskars rotating mats.
The SewFit one had been used by a kite maker and it has scratches, some glue, paint and a crack, but it still works for my purposes and is great when cutting out fashion patterns.
I have a couple Olfa mats, a huge SewFit one that I bought second hand and Fiskars rotating mats.
The SewFit one had been used by a kite maker and it has scratches, some glue, paint and a crack, but it still works for my purposes and is great when cutting out fashion patterns.
03-25-2019, 11:39 AM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: North Central PA
Posts: 329
I got the Martelli set for half price last year and never used it much, but I started a little project where I had to trim a layer cake, starch, press and then cut into pieces. I noticed that the Martelli doesn't grip the fabric like an Olfa...the fabric just skids on this mat more. Ironing scared the snot out of me. After about 15 layer cake squares I noticed a foul odor. It turned out to be the board under the ironing surface. It got so hot I couldn't touch it. It smells foul because it's just pegboard. I had to stop and let it cool down to finish the pressing. The next day it still smelled. I boxed it up and there it will stay. Also the surface is warped (yes it was stored flat) and that causes the cutting and pressing mats to start slipping off the rotating part. Definitely not a happy camper, but I'm glad I didn't pay the full price.
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