ColleenDee

I am thinking of buying the Martelli large contrasting cutting mat 26 X 51 and wondered if anyone else has this one, and if you do what do you like or dislike about it? It is supposedly the Cadillac of rotary cutting mats, and can withstand being rolled up or heat. But in doing some research and seeing one of these mats in my favorite local quilt shop I really like the style, color [it can be flipped over so you can choose which side you want to cut from based on your fabric [light or dark]. It has some nice measurement features and cutting guidelines that are also cool. This one is definately pricey and right now I can get it for around $118, which includes the shipping. Other mats, not as comparable price wise or features are going to be around say $60-$75.

Just so you know I don't plan on rolling it up, I have a nice sewing table that it will go on. But I am intriqued by the "heat resistent" part of this mat. I just recently did a dumb thing...., totally my bad, instead of going to my ironing board to do some applique pressing, I put an ironing mat on my cutting table, but never thought about removing my 24 X 36 Fiskars rotary cutting mat that I have had for years...., so needless to say I now have a nice ripple effect in it and of course it won't lie flat anymore! Now let me also say, that I also don't plan on ever ironing on my cutting table or new rotary cutting mat when I get one again..., but I may have another senior moment some day and "forget". So I would love some input from folks on this "idea" that I have. Thanks!!

AliKat

The Martelli mats seem to last longer and preserve your rotary blades at the same time. If you have the $$ and the space ... go for it!

ali

rjwilder

I have the Martelli mat and love it! I briefly ironed on it by accident and it is ok, nothing warped or melted. It doesn't have that funky skunky smell like the Fiskar mats have. I find it easy to use and see the cutting guides.

Rhonda

Jim's Gem

I am considering one of these too. Would have probably bought it if they were at the Road to California Quilt Show, but they wern't, so maybe at a later date for me.

quiltinggirl

I have this mat and love it! It is everything the company says it is. I also bought their rulers and swear by them. The ruler will not slip if you use it with the mat. Literally, I can holder the ruler and cut fabric without the ruler slipping. Very expensive tools but they are worth every penny IMHO.

cmw0829

I don't have one but I would have thought that the ironing mat would have protected the surfact on which it was placed.

Good luck making a decision.

omaluvs2quilt

Is it the yellow/purple one? I have one and totally love it, along with the rotary cutter (great blade life), and the non-slip ruler. My only problem is that somehow in marking fmq patterns, I've got some pencil or printer ink transfer that I can't seem to wash away on the yellow side. They are very light, so don't bother me too much, I just wish I didn't do that.

QuiltNama

I have the purple/yellow matt that is 24 x 36, and cannot say enough GOOD things about it. No smell when it was bought and my blades last for a long, long time (I cut almost every day). I'm going to invest in the smaller matt to take to classes with me. Also have their cutter and their blades last a lot longer than any others that I have used (except olfa). Have never tried to iron on it, so cannot tell if it's heat resistance.

Caroline S

Ditto QuiltNama. I have the mat (no smell, yea), rotary cutter and the large set of templates. All are awesome. I am going to buy the smaller cutting templates package when Martelli comes to the Quilt and Sewing Expo in Puyallup. Their customer service is also great.