Please don't start a new quilter out with a Fiskars mat.
They are not really self-healing. They are a hard substance that is a bit slippery on the fabric and will dull blades more quickly than, say, an Olfa mat. New quilters tend to go thru blades more quickly at first so adding to their problems isn't a helpful idea in my opinion. Just because they can be widely found and cheaply bought doesn't, by far, make them a best product.
Jan in VA