craftybear

I have different sizes, but if you have room for a big mat, buy it!

brushandthimble

Thelarger mats are great when it comes to cutting boarders and squaring off the quilts. Think beyoud the block size, to the finishing..:)

b.zang

The 18x24 is a great place to start, don't go smaller. As your quilting interest develops, so will your knowledge in buying what you need. Stick with quilting and you'll probably end up with a 24x36 mat as well.
My recommendation is that you stick with Olfa mats as they are long-lasting and good quality.

mpeters1200

I have an 18 x 24. I also got the quilter's beginner kit almost 8 years ago. I still have the same 18 x 24 inch mat. Sometimes, when I'm squaring up whole stripped rows or cutting off the excess batting after it's quilted, it seems too small. For the most part, it fits all of my needs.

I think it's a good, midsize, mat to start with. I got mine with a 6 1/2 x 24 ruler and a 45mm cutter. I still use them all regularly.

pollyjvan9

I like the larger cutting mats so I don't have to fold my fabrics so much to cut a strip from selvage to selvage. I tend to end up with the dreaded "v" in my strips if I have to double fold them. I use the 24"x36" most of the time at home. I have other sizes and use them when I have a lot of fabric spread out.

BellaBoo

By the biggest size you can afford and a mat two sizes smaller. It's better to have too much mat room then not enough.

steelecg

I use an "18" square that rotates and it has been very helpful. Good luck and I know you will enjoy quilting

Horsestitcher

Start with the largest you can find/afford. You're gonna want to update real soon if you b uy a small one. And get a green self healing mat too. It will last a lot longer than the other ones.

Joe

joann.com has a green olfa 24X36 for $50 but they have a 50% off coupon so that makes it $30 with shipping. Seems like a good price.

ckcowl

if you work with small pieces of fabric (fq's, or less) a small one is fine, if you work with yardage, purchase the largest one to fit your cutting table and you can afford. remember, when a (woodworker) purchases tools they purchase the best quality, most expensive they can afford at the time. all are not created equal, the one i paid $60 for has held up for 6+ years, the one i picked up for $15 lasted about 3 months...