Rotating mat size preference?
 

Hi--
Debating between a 16 in versus 10 in Sue Daley Rotating mat.

Any strong thoughts/opinions?

Is the 10 in easier to travel with, etc.?

I have a 12ish inch one and wish I would have opted for the larger size. I cannot trim a 12 1/2 inch block. Yes, the smaller one is easier to travel with, but is more limited in its uses. Just MHO.

I have the Martelli 17" Roundabout. One of the most useful tool I have bought for quilting. I also have the 10" Sue Dailey one I won as a door prize. I use the bigger one the most. The small size doesn't seem to be as stable to me even when cutting small pieces. I usually have the small size next to my machine and the large one on my cutting table. Most of my cutting in on the rotating large mat.
The small size is of course easier to pack and tote.

i have the 17" square rotating mat by omnigrid. (i will never understand why they didn't make it 18".)
i love it. it fits nicely on the top of my cutting table and into my travel case for rulers.

i would love to have the 24" square but nearly fainted when i saw the price.

Mine is the 15" Maltilda's Own rotating cutting mat. I got all excited when I read there was a 24" inch mat available....but why? The blocks I make are very seldom 12", so I don't really need one that big. Thank heaven I realized that before ordering from Amazon.

Awesome! Thanks all. I went with the 16 in due to a nice 25% off sale at my LQS.
And then I had rewards points, so woo hoo, it was a steal.

I bought an off brand on Amazon and have never been able to get it to rotate nicely without also shifting my ruler, so that one I am donating to our local craft/thrift store. It works and is fine, just not a joy to use if you will.
Hoping I will like this one better!

Ally

I have the 17 inch by Martelli and I'd rather have the larger one than a smaller one as you have more room to cut larger blocks. Just my opinion.

I've always wondered why they don't make the 18". I have a 17" one I got from Fat Quarter Shop a few years ago. I think it's the Mathilda's Own brand

I was told by a vendor that manufacturing in place and the equipment set the size of anything of what can be manufactured. A different size then a whole new set of machinery has to be made to make it. Not cost effective at all unless a company wants to build their own manufacturing plant. Each brand of anything can only set the design and function according to what the manufacture can produce.

I used to have a 12" but found it to be way too small. I now have a 16" pink Riley Blake brand. I have been happy with this size, but I will also note that it's pretty rare for me to make quilts with large blocks. I usually make 12" and under. If you prefer larger blocks, you'll probably want a larger mat.