Thought I was losing my mind
#41
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Displaced Hoosier in Paradise (SW FL)
Posts: 93
I'm certainly no authority, but in the one and only quilt class I've taken, the instructor emphasized using a well marked ruler rather than the cutting board to measure - I'd guess for just this reason. So sorry you had this very frustrating experience!
Sally
Sally
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 449
way back when i first started taking quilting classes at lqs' i was told to never use the cutting mat to measure your fabric- to use it to line up straight lines but to always use your ruler or a tape measure to measure- that seldom are mats actually correct- so i've never used it for that- guess they were right- they are not always correct- but the lines should be straight on it.
#43
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: porter ok
Posts: 1,310
The mat was not a second and it is used to square up quilt blocks . Just wanted to give a heads up.I will go back to my quilt II mat .By the way it wasn't a card board mat that everyone is freaking out about. Thanks
#44
I use the cutting mat to measure, but I don't use any other method. If it is off, it is off all the way around. I have seen many rulers that are 'off' over the years. If you only use that one, you are OK. I make wine, and the buckets for fermenting wine are all over the place. One of the first things they tell you to do is use your tried and true gallon container and fill the bucket with that. If you correct the marks along the way, you are in good shape. I think the problem with measures is that these things are made in countries that use the metric system, and changing to 'American' measures is a guess.
Phyllis
Phyllis
#45
Cutting mats
I use the cutting mat to measure, but I don't use any other method. If it is off, it is off all the way around. I have seen many rulers that are 'off' over the years. If you only use that one, you are OK. I make wine, and the buckets for fermenting wine are all over the place. One of the first things they tell you to do is use your tried and true gallon container and fill the bucket with that. If you correct the marks along the way, you are in good shape. I think the problem with measures is that these things are made in countries that use the metric system, and changing to 'American' measures is a guess.
Phyllis
Phyllis
#48
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
DITTO on all of this!
I've got a couple questions....
What brand cutting mat do you use?
Has anyone ever told you that MOST mats aren't that accurate and the lines are really meant for the most basic lining up, not accurate measuring?
I've taught for years and urge my students to use the Olfa brand green cutting mats -- widely used by engineers for years before quilters discovered them "way back when". The material they are made from is so much better than the Fiskars gray ones, white/opaque ones, and the green ones from other makers.
The Olfa cutting mats were originally made with no markings on the reverse side and I taught my students to use that side so they did not become dependent to the lines on the mat. Use two rulers, which are designed for measuring, to square up and cut your fabric.
Jan in VA
What brand cutting mat do you use?
Has anyone ever told you that MOST mats aren't that accurate and the lines are really meant for the most basic lining up, not accurate measuring?
I've taught for years and urge my students to use the Olfa brand green cutting mats -- widely used by engineers for years before quilters discovered them "way back when". The material they are made from is so much better than the Fiskars gray ones, white/opaque ones, and the green ones from other makers.
The Olfa cutting mats were originally made with no markings on the reverse side and I taught my students to use that side so they did not become dependent to the lines on the mat. Use two rulers, which are designed for measuring, to square up and cut your fabric.
Jan in VA
#49
I've got a couple questions....
What brand cutting mat do you use?
Has anyone ever told you that MOST mats aren't that accurate and the lines are really meant for the most basic lining up, not accurate measuring?
I've taught for years and urge my students to use the Olfa brand green cutting mats -- widely used by engineers for years before quilters discovered them "way back when". The material they are made from is so much better than the Fiskars gray ones, white/opaque ones, and the green ones from other makers.
The Olfa cutting mats were originally made with no markings on the reverse side and I taught my students to use that side so they did not become dependent to the lines on the mat. Use two rulers, which are designed for measuring, to square up and cut your fabric.
Jan in VA
What brand cutting mat do you use?
Has anyone ever told you that MOST mats aren't that accurate and the lines are really meant for the most basic lining up, not accurate measuring?
I've taught for years and urge my students to use the Olfa brand green cutting mats -- widely used by engineers for years before quilters discovered them "way back when". The material they are made from is so much better than the Fiskars gray ones, white/opaque ones, and the green ones from other makers.
The Olfa cutting mats were originally made with no markings on the reverse side and I taught my students to use that side so they did not become dependent to the lines on the mat. Use two rulers, which are designed for measuring, to square up and cut your fabric.
Jan in VA
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