CRH

I was recently advised at a large quilt show that Olfa cutting mats were the best for NOT dulling blades. She said especially the white ones were hard on blades, and didn't recommend Fiskars or Dritz. Has anyone else heard this??

Tiffany

CRH, yes, the white mats are horrible for dulling blades quickly! :evil: One of our local quilt shops used to use one and we all learned to avoid using it because of that problem.

I find I end up buying a mat every few years, though I like the idea of buying one every year for my birthday.

You ladies have come up with some great ideas on recycling old mats. I've got one that would be perfect for when my grandson (due in a few weeks) is old enough to start drawing, painting, et cetera. The other one that I have, I am still using the back but the front is shot. When my mat dies I turn them over and get new life from them. (Remember, you're not supposed to measure using your mat so the plain back works just fine for cutting.) I do have projects that require glueing and using the beat up side of the mat for that is an excellent idea!

I just love all the different tips and ideas I pick up from you ladies!
~Tiffany

Celeste

The white one is bad for blades?!?! :evil: I bought one on sale at Joanne's at the day after Thanksgiving sale!

barnbum

I bought a mat a while back and it had triangular chunk come out after 2-3 uses! They sent me a new one. Another smelled so bad I couldn't take it! Now I smell before I buy. :lol:
I'm so glad for the color tip. Mine is now an awful yellow on one side and pink on the other-- :shock: but I've been using the same blade for an incredible amount of time--a year? That's never happened before.

I saved on old one for cutting batting for ragged flannels--they seem to wreck a mat.

quilterj

Does your Michaels carry fabric? Ours here in GA. doesn't carry fabric. They carry the sewing supplies but unfortunatly no fabric.

quilterj

Tiffany I haven't been quilting very long so I haven't heard. But what is the reason why you aren't to measure using your mat?

quilterj

yeah, I have been cutting batting on my mat also and having a time getting it off. Hate that batting sometimes.

Tiffany

A whole year!?! :shock: Girlfriend, treat yourself to a new blade. You deserve it! A whole year. Good grief! I have to use a new blade at least once a month, twice if I'm working on a lot of projects, especially charity quilts.

I have a used blade that isn't too bad and I use it for cutting out paper, plastic templates, stuff like that. It's clearly marked 'Used' with a sharpy pen so I don't get it mixed up with the fabric blades. I keep the cases they come in and store them in that.
~Tiffany

barnbum

I have a new cutting blade...but I refuse to open it until the other is useless. :lol: Usually a blade will drive me nuts by not cutting the whole peiece-oh how I hate having to recut it and it's all out of line from me trying to pick it up. :? This cutter was headed to the used stuff drawer--but when I switched mats it became like new again.

Tiffany--I don't quilt as much as I'd like--but it has seen a lot of use. Besides that I hate getting used to a new one--and I'll cut myself!! :roll:

HisPatchwork

I purchased a large mat that smelled like skunk! I contacted the company and they sent me a replacement mat and it was fine. They said something about how it was handled in the manufacturing or curing process that caused the problem.