cutting mats
#21
I have Olfa and June Tailor. I actually use the June Tailor mat the most. It is a harder surface and I don't find myself pressing as hard somehow. But I am partial to blue fabric, so often break out the Olfa just so I can see what I'm doing.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: OK
Posts: 701
Then I bought the "big mat" from a quilt show vendor as a show special. They come in several sizes...here's the link. sewingemporium.com I noticed how blades don't need to be replaced as often...even the ones I sharpened on the electric rotary blade sharpener by True Sharp. There is even a warranty, which I have not seen before.
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
Posts: 7,014
Make sure the marking lines extend above and below the top and bottom lines. On my biggest mat they don't. If you have a piece of fabric that goes top to bottom, it's hard to line up a ruler.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,165
The Big Mat -
That's the white mat I have. I like it since I can SEE most fabrics. I do miss the other markings on the lines. Olfa has ticks for 1/2, 1/4". Joanne here does sell Olfa. Are they the same quality as a quilt store? I read that some companies sell decent but not top of the line products to places like Joanne. This gives Joanne the ability to give a better price.
I've been using the older Olfa mats to cut mat board for mounting photos. Exacto and cork backed rulers. They've taken the punishment so far.
BTW - most of those cork back rulers are metal. However, when cutting paper for a class, I noticed a dip in the cut.
The ruler wasn't straight!. If you keep running into the edges of your quilt rulers with a cutter, they might get off in spots. It would also be possible for a ruler that isn't quite straight to get by quality control.
That's the white mat I have. I like it since I can SEE most fabrics. I do miss the other markings on the lines. Olfa has ticks for 1/2, 1/4". Joanne here does sell Olfa. Are they the same quality as a quilt store? I read that some companies sell decent but not top of the line products to places like Joanne. This gives Joanne the ability to give a better price.
I've been using the older Olfa mats to cut mat board for mounting photos. Exacto and cork backed rulers. They've taken the punishment so far.
BTW - most of those cork back rulers are metal. However, when cutting paper for a class, I noticed a dip in the cut.
The ruler wasn't straight!. If you keep running into the edges of your quilt rulers with a cutter, they might get off in spots. It would also be possible for a ruler that isn't quite straight to get by quality control.
Last edited by Weezy Rider; 01-22-2013 at 06:18 AM.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,165
@quilttiger
How often do you use the scraper on that Big Mat? I've got to turn my mat around. I keep forgetting.
I second the recommendation about avoiding those white mats at Joann Fabrics. I used to replace my blades way too often when I had the mat from Joann's. Then I bought the "big mat" from a quilt show vendor as a show special. They come in several sizes...here's the link. sewingemporium.com I noticed how blades don't need to be replaced as often...even the ones I sharpened on the electric rotary blade sharpener by True Sharp. There is even a warranty, which I have not seen before.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,165
Anyone use one of these?
http://www.quiltersrule.com/mats/sf-mats.html
I'm curious. I've dealt with Quilters rule before and they have been reliable.
http://www.quiltersrule.com/mats/sf-mats.html
I'm curious. I've dealt with Quilters rule before and they have been reliable.
#28
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
I never got a chance to even open the package until about 5 minutes ago and now I'm just too tired to do anything but stare at it and smile. I will come back when I get to actually use it.
#30
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
I finally got some time to try out my new Alvin mat and I LOVE it. It's heavy and THICK and so sturdy feeling, yet still flexible. I spent hours this weekend cutting on it, and not just with my rotary blade, I used a utility knife to cut out letters and you can't tell I even used the mat yet. The grid markings are a little tricky(they go edge to edge but also from the middle to each side, hard to explain), but I think once I get used to them they'll be very handy. It's black on once side and green on the other, so no matter what color fabric you're working with there's a contrasting background to cut on.
Overall, I'm thrilled with the mat so far, obviously I can't say anything about it's longevity yet, but I hope I can in the future.
Overall, I'm thrilled with the mat so far, obviously I can't say anything about it's longevity yet, but I hope I can in the future.
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