Let's Get Organized: Week 13 - Rotary Mats & Care

(Photo by Gregory Case Photography)

This week's homework is to go through your rotary cutting mat collection. A rotary cutting mat is one of those basic workhorse tools that every quilter should have in their workspace. As you go through your collection, take note of cutting mats that you have, their condition and what you might need. Exactly how many cutting mats and what type does one quilter really need? Well, that depends on each individual. Some quilters prefer a basic group of cutting mats, while others love having a wide range.

Rotary mats come in a variety of sizes, colors and specialities (rotating & folding). Whether you like a cutting surface that is green, gray, yellow, pink, white or blue mat is your personal preference, but keep in mind that some surface colors might be more visually difficult/distracting for you personally, so do a bit of research before investing in a specific brand.

Quilters Select cutting mats offer a light/dark grey side with two sets of corresponding numers to keep your place when cutting Olfa mats are green on both sides, but only one side has pre-marked measuring lines. Some quilters prefer to use the non-measuring side. Do you often work with patterns in metric measurements? Havel's Sewing offers a mat in hot pink with metric measurements one one side and inches on the other. While June Tailor offers a mat that is a two-sided cutting mat and pressing surface in one.

(Havel's Sewing) (June Tailor)

(Quilters Select)

A good basic set of rotary cutting mats that you will get the most use in your work space should include the following:

18" x 36" - quilting workspace

18" x 24" - quilting workspace
12" x 18" - good for class or travel

Don't have a lot of dedicated space for cutting or want to take a cutting mat to a class/retreat? Olfa offers a folding cutting mat in two sizes. The smaller fits nicely into a tote.

(Brooklyn Revolver) (Olfa Rotating Mat)

Round and square rotating cutting mats are also an option for those who don't like to shift or lift fabric pieces as they cut. These smaller cutting mats also fit easily into a tote for a retreat or class.

Rotary Mat Care:

No matter what mats you decide to have in your sewing space, like other tools that need cleaning, your rotary cutting mat also needs care and maintenance.

Remove lint, bits of threads and fuzz off your mat by using a gum art eraser that can be purchased at a local art supply store.
Use a small plastic net scrubby (the kind you find in the kitchen cleaners area), gently rub in a circular motion to remove imbedded items.

Did you know that your cutting mat needs moisture just like your skin. Who knew? Kelly Hanson from National Quilters Circle has a great tutorial for cleaning your mat:

Soak the mat flat for 15-20 min in a container or tub with a mixture of 1/4 cup (60ml) white vinegar to 1 gallon of cool water (just under 4 liters). The mat must lay flat the entire time.
After soaking, add a small amount of very mild detergent (such as Palmolive, Ivory) into the cool water.
Using a mushroom brush, gently brush the entire surface of the mat and rinse in cold or cool water.
Place wet mat between two lint free towels on a flat surface and blot dry.

Broken or damaged Mat:

If your mat is broken beyond repair, why not repurpose the better sections of it? Using an older rotary cutter, cut a smaller mat. This will require some elbow grease. It may take several cuts to get the original mat to snap apart and break off. This smaller mat can be used in a pinch by your machine or at a class.

While we don't recommend this method for fixing a warped cutting mat, Charley Hanney of Olfa Deal's says this works about 85% of the time. This might be worth a try before going out to purchase a new one.

Get a piece of heavy plywood 3/8"-1/2" thick. Make sure it is not warped.
Lay the plywood on concrete, and ONLY concrete, in a totally all day sunny area. The concrete is imporatnt
Put the damaged mat on the plywood.
Using HEAVY PLATE GLASS (NOT WINDOW GLASS) which you may find on a table top, a dresser top, or shelf glass Any combo, and cover the mat so that mat is completely covered. Not just the affected area...THE WHOLE MAT. The glass can extend over teh edges of the mat.
Leave this set up in the totally sunny area all day. No moving, no peeking, just leave it alone.
Early the next day, after the mat has cooled overnight, your mat should be straight.

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Comments

#17 Susan Stitch 2018-08-13 06:53

One of my mats got warped in a car and I was devastated. I figured it couldn't hurt to just lay it out in the sun to see what happened (it was ruined, anyway!). After one hot day it was flat as could be and I've used it for 8 years since then! Much easier than the method suggested here and hey, if it doesn't work for you then try the plywood and glass!

#16 Kathy Strabel 2016-04-05 10:38

I also have never known that the rotary cutting boards needed to be "moisturized". I used to have a ping pong table to use with a very large mat for cutting and laying out blocks. Had to give that up due to space, and I cut down the huge mat I was using on it to fit a folding banquet-type of table. I used a box cutter...VERY CAREFULLY and it took several passes to cut through. I also have several smaller, thinner mats which I hang on unused wallspace, or slip behind the hutch or couch when not in use. I also bought a "second" (not perfect) mat that is almost exactly the same size as the kitchen island for cutting and laying out of blocks, layering the backs,batting and tops, etc. In my opinion, you can never have too many cutting mats!!!
Kathy Strabel Camas WA

#15 Cmorison 2016-04-05 08:38

When they get too warped or messy, I repurpose cutting mats by giving them to my husband. He loves them in the garage where they serve as a great work surface for him as they did when I used them.

#14 Sheila 2016-04-04 22:12

I always use the back of cutting board to cut batting! Keeps my board neat and clean!

#13 Molly 2016-04-04 13:13

Thanks for all the good ideas from everyone!
Loved the kitchen floor idea especially the quilting part! :

#12 phillipsnanny 2016-04-04 12:57

I share a cutting mat with my daughter on the dining room table. It is 35 x36 and we put it behind a piece of furniture when we are using the table for family activities. This has worked well for 5 years now. We use our cutting mat for clothing construction also. When we need to we scrub it down with a dishcloth and soapy water. We probably have to replace it more often than most people because we both use it on a daily basis.

#11 Kay 2016-04-04 12:31

Some walk in showers would be large enough.
Cover the drain with plastic or find a drain cover at the hardware store.

#10 gmcrav4 2016-04-04 11:27

I discovered that clear mailing tape works well on removing the batting fibers left in the mat when I used a rotary cutter to cut the batting on the mat. The trick is that, after pressing the tape on the line of fuzz, you need to pull the tape off in the opposite direction that you rolled the rotary cutter.

#9 jeangrimes 2016-04-04 11:25

I used a large black trash bag, put in mats, added one gallon of water/vinegar. Laid it on kitchen tile floor. Folded up open end and it worked great. Guess if it leaked, I could mop the kitchen, but I'm quilting instead.

#8 Cindy Settle Cline 2016-04-04 11:21

For soaking larger mats, use a child's plastic kiddie pool. Also useful for cleaning window screens!