Cutting mats and rotary cutters

[sazziej]

I need help / advice from any fellow morsbaggers who currently use / own a cutting mat and rotary cutter.....

I want to purchase a mat and cutter but have no idea where to start! I have searched in my local craft shops and they only stock the A4 size. I have searched the internet and i am unsure of which size / brand would be best - any advice would be gratefully received.

Thank you

[AK]

I got my cutting mat from a local branch of 'the works'. It's one of those shops that sells books and art materials cheaply. It's A2 size I think, made by Crimson and Blake. I don't remember the price but it was under £5. That said, it marks quite easily and not all the guidelines are accurately spaced.

As for the rotary cutter, I bought a cheap one at one of the national craft fairs. But it didn't handle well and didn't cut cleanly. So now I have an Olfa 45 mm cutter. Have you tried some of the quilting/patchwork online stores?

[sacbags]

I have been using a rotary cutter and cutting board for some time and use it all the time. Make sure to get the largest mat you can afford that fits your table top. It is frustrating when you have a mat too short for the full length of your cut. The larger blade makes rotary cutting a breeze. Don't forget to get a clear ruler to make a straight accurate cut. You can also cut several layers of cloth at once so its a real time saver.

[sazziej]

Thank you for the advice... i hope to purchase one in the next few weeks

[beattie]

Use a metal ruler - I've got a clear plastic one with very cut up sides. If you want to cut several layers of material you have to press very hard.

[Patchhappy]

As an avid quilter and Morsbagger I wouldn't be without my 23" x 17" cutting mat and 23" x 6.5"clear plastic ruler. They're the perfect size for cutting fabric straight from the bolt ie. 44" wide (which is how most fabric comes).
I've an Olfa cutter which closes when you put it down, which is great.
I can cut through several layers of fabric no probs (especially with a new blade )

You can also get big handles which attach to the rulers by suction and are great for anyone with arthritis or carple tunnel problems. It really helps to hold the fabric down firmly.

You can get them from any quilting shop or online.
(I've tried cheaper cutting mats but I found they didn't last too well.)
I've had my good mat and ruler at least 10 well-used years.

[zappers]

I bought an Olfa 60mm cutter for 14.99 and an Olfa cutting mat
90cm X 60cm which was about the same price - at the Craft 4 Crafters show in Exeter. The cutter is wonderful and cuts easily through a few layers of material, and the mat is marked so that measuring a bag is a doddle, and it does not mark when cutting. I think the bigger size cutter is more efficient for the bags. I have not tried to use it for anything else yet. I bought a pinking cutter, but am not so pleased with that, it is smaller and only perfectly cuts one bag at a time (2 pieces of cloth) I would say that a metal ruler is what i use and get on great with it.
I would say definitely go for the best that you can.

[sazziej]

Thanks for that Zappers - impressed with the centimetres !

[Lady B]

I bought an Olfa 60mm cutter for 14.99 and an Olfa cutting mat
90cm X 60cm which was about the same price - at the Craft 4 Crafters show in Exeter. The cutter is wonderful and cuts easily through a few layers of material, and the mat is marked so that measuring a bag is a doddle, and it does not mark when cutting. I think the bigger size cutter is more efficient for the bags. I have not tried to use it for anything else yet. I bought a pinking cutter, but am not so pleased with that, it is smaller and only perfectly cuts one bag at a time (2 pieces of cloth) I would say that a metal ruler is what i use and get on great with it.
I would say definitely go for the best that you can.

She's learning!!

[zappers]

I wondered if you would notice that you lot I changed post from inches to 'thingamyjigs' just for you! (it has got inches on the other side of the mat and that is what I use!!)

[walker6]

I agree with Patchhappy and Zappers. (I'm a quilter too!) Buy the best you can. I buy replaceable blades for my Olfa cutter and have had my 24"x18" mat for about 8 years and it's still looking good! Not like me

[zappers]

24"X18" I love it!!!! another 'inchy' person

[walker6]

Inchy, that's me Zappers!! Heightwise I don't have many, so maybe I should go over to cms and I'd feel taller.

[Patchhappy]

Oh, isn't it a headache!!! I spend my working life multiplying or dividing things by 2.5

Most patchwork patterns are in inches, and we have to sell fabric in metres and cms. So I feel I'm 'bi-measural'.... Hey, do you reckon is this a new word for the OED

I feel taller at 160cm.

[sacbags]

I wish we all used metrics. It is such a bother to convert measurements! I have several craft & cooking from other countries, but here in the US, its linear measurements and cups, pints, quarts & gallons for liquids. I'm so glad measuring cups and most rulers have both printed on them. It would be nice to see cutting mats and clear plastic rulers marked in cm.s