kacklebird

OMG, for the years I've had my mat I've always put a lot of pressure on my cutter! Now I know why I have grooves....ugh. Glad I read this I'm definitely going to lighten up!

betty32084

is this site limited to teachers or school faculty? do you mind posting the website?

damaquilts

Thanks I would like to get a bigger one and I found the 24x36(creative mark brand) for 34.36 at Jerry's Artarama but shipping is 10.00 . I was just about to search for cheaper shipping.

Gabrielle's Mimi

When you buy that new mat, consider this: use your ruler(s) to measure and cut, NOT the lines on the mat. That way your mat will last a lot longer. Lines on a mat are not always accurate, plus you ruin the mat by always cutting on the same lines over and over.

Ziva

Would you share this school supply site with us, please? Thanks!

selm

I just found the 18x24 mat at Amazon.com for 15.07 with free shipping(you have to buy $25 worth of merchandise shipped to the same address to get free shipping)

cwcquilters

I went to an auto parts store and purchased a "spatula". It is the item that is used to spread body putty on a car when doing a body work. I rub the mat with this using the edge of the piece and it works quite well at smoothing the lines down. Also Rada makes a small scraper that is a hard plastic that works very well also.

mcar

It seems you do a lot of quilting and are hard on your mat. Do you ever take time between projects for Mat Maintenance? Just like you should clean the lint found in the sewing machine before you start a new project, you need to take time for the mat? Check out the manufacturer's directions on line. It is informative. They do need some loving care!

Canada Kate

Several of you have provided this same advice about not using the mat lines as a guide and to use the ruler instead. I'm going to show my ignorance here by asking how do you use a ruler to do this? If I use a ruler, how do I know that my measurement from the top of the fabric to the bottom is the same width, for example, 2.5"? That's why I use the lines on the mat, to get the strip size the same at the top and the bottom. Is there a tutorial anywhere that shows how to do this with only a ruler?

patski

Fons & Porter tip, soak it in lukewarm water in large tub add 1 tsp of white vinegar to every gallon of water. (I just poured 1/2 bottle) let it soak about an hour then scrub with a soft brush (like a mushroom brush) It comes out like new