ptquilts

I am new to rotary cutting (I love it!!) and got a 23" x 23" gray JT cutting mat that has shapes on it, in addition to the grid. Hearts, Dresden Plate petals, clamshells. My question is, how are you supposed to use these? Obviously if you put the fabric over the shape, you can't see the line to cut. Or am I missing something?

patricej

trace them onto thin paper and then use that as a template to make a sturdier template?

sandrab64

Look on YouTube for june tailor shape cut ruler video demonstration

Oops! I was looking at the wrong product! I couldnt find anything on how to actually use that mat.

Onebyone

I had one of those mats but never used the templates on it. FYI: That mat is a hard surface mat and not self healing. The blade rolls on top of the hard surface mats and with a self healing mat the blade rolls into the surface of the mat. Everyone has their favorite type.

sewnclog

I have one of those mats (blue) and i don't care for it as much as my others. And I've never used the shapes either but you could put clear template material over the shape you want, trace it off and cut out with your NOT good scissors. It would ruin your good fabric scissors.

madamekelly

I used the heart shape off of mine by tracing it with tracing paper, then using that with sewing type tracing paper and a wheel to mark the shape on my fabric. I did this about twenty years ago, but I know they still sell sewing tracing paper, but you buy the tracing wheel separately. After doing all my quilts the first thirty years on a June Taylor cutting mat, then broke down and bought a self healing mat on Amazon (it was labeled as an architect’s cutting mat since they are the same and much less money). Major difference. My rotary cutter slid a bit on the June Taylor, but with the self-healing mat, my cutting is so much more accurate.

Iceblossom

Someone should mention (I guess it is me!) that it is really not recommended to use the lines on the mat, learn to use rulers and the edge of your fabric. Otherwise the mat wears out from cutting on the same lines. Maybe not so badly on the June Tailor but my original Olfa mat tells the tale and because of the deep grooves that formed from me using the mat lines over and over I would have single threads that didn't get cut.

Until you can learn to ignore those pre-printed lines, I think it's better to use the back.

PS: Cutting tip - some fabric is just too close a color to the mat for me to see clearly. A scrap of white paper (or an envelope or whatever is handy tucked under the fabric about half an inch instantly makes it much clearer and more precise as well as faster!

ptquilts

yes, I am cutting a lot of 6" squares so I have been seeing wear on the 6" line. I am trying to move it around now. Plus I am in ONE corner and still have the 3 other corners to go. If I can get 30 years out of it like Madamekelly, I will be thrilled!

Onebyone

I do not want the same cutting mat for 30 years. Why on earth for? That makes no sense to me. It's a mat made from layered gasket material not a heirloom.

ptquilts

Because I'm cheap!!! oops I mean frugal...