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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: IWoodSew
Date: 08-02-2006, 05:19 PM (1 of 9)
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Hi Everyone, I am a new um...sewer? (um, not sewer...like toliet stuff), but "sew"er like with a needle and thread...lol! perhaps that should be seamstress but I'm far from being one of those. I do have a sewing machine though  .My question is: Someone bought me a Rotary Cutting Mat (as a gift) and although I appreciate it....it's not the self-healing kind. I heard the self healing kind are kinder to your rotary cutting tool; is this true? The one I have is like a hard plastic...it's by june tailor and it's blue. I would like to use the mat for cutting material for quilts but also for cutting material for clothing. Any recommendations? comments? guidance? help? O.k., I'll be waiting because... IWoodSew (if I knew how  )
Sew what's new?, you ask. Well, I just learned I may be a...
Procrastinating . . . Perfectionist 6:00 a.m. 6:15 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:45 a.m. 7:00 a.m. |
User: IWoodSew
Member since: 07-14-2006 Total posts: 5 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-02-2006, 05:37 PM (2 of 9)
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I have one of the June Tailor mats -- gray not blue. I don't know that it is harder on the cutter but it is kinda rough. I use it a lot. I also have a smaller Olfa one -- green. It seems to hold up better, I think. So I guess that's what I would recommend. One of the quilters might know of an even better brand. I cut garments out with the rotary cutter and my advice is to get one that is comfortable to your hand and keep a sharp blade in it. That is going to make a bigger difference than the mat. I would also suggest you get the biggest mat you can find for cutting out garments. Again -- that's coming from someone who uses hers a lot -- but only for garment sewing, not quilting Quilting is a nasty habit and I shall not succumb to it's lure!!! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 08-02-2006, 05:49 PM (3 of 9)
I am a quilter and a seamstress (sewer, whatever!!) and I have about a half dozen of the olfa mats. I have tried the June Tailor's and didn't particularly care for them and they are a lot harder on your rotary blades than the Olfa mats. The Olfa mats do heal themselves, if you keep threads, lint, etc. cleaned out of and off of them. They are more expensive that the June Tailors and they last a very long time if properly taken care of (keep them out of heat, light, laying flat or hanging flat, never stand them on edge for any length of time and, above all, do not ever try to iron on them, even with a pad or a towel over them. Ask me how i know????  By the way, welcome to Sew-What's New. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: yellowrose
Date: 08-02-2006, 09:19 PM (4 of 9)
Yes, thats right Patsy don't iron on them. I did that also and found its a big bad NO NO!! Judy 
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User: yellowrose
Member since: 07-09-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 08-06-2006, 07:45 PM (5 of 9)
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I left my Olfa out in the sun on the dining room table, and it wasn't happy, but I did weigh it down with lots of books and it seems to be pretty useable now. Glad it was the old one. I really like the Olfa and you can get the 40% coupon at Joanns and get one, cause they are expensive. But they are my favorite. I have a little white opaque one which I almost never use, just don't like it. But do go with the largest size you can, you won't regret it.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 08-06-2006, 11:31 PM (6 of 9)
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I have both Olfa and Fiskars...I like the Fiskars because I'm ambidexterous and it seems to suit me better, reading/placing the fabric on the CORRECT line, wise...I haven't used the Olfa much (yet). I bought a June Tailor one once...ate ALL my rotary blades right up and then I managed to IRON on it, BY ACCIDENT. (thats MY story and I'm stickin to it.) So I got to throw it away. 
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 08-07-2006, 12:57 AM (7 of 9)
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Mixed in with my Olfas, I have a 12 x 18 mat that blue with gold lines on it called "Duraheal". I got it at Joann's a couple of years ago and I keep it herre in front of my computer next to my Pfaff that I do all of my quilt piecing on for trimming, etc. and I have really given it a beating (I eat on it, cut on it, write on it, use my mouse on it, whatever I happen to be doing when I sit down here at my sewing machines and it is still in good shape. I've washed it with water, I've spilled nail polish remover on it, etc. and it is still in good shape. If I remember, it was in the same area where they had the june tailor mats and it wasn't real expensive. By the way, speaking of cleaning your cutting mats, someone told me to take a nylon bath pouf and use it to take threads, lint, quilting batting, etc. out of the cutting groves in my Olfas. I was skeptical but tried it and sure enough, it really does pull all of those pesky little threads, bits of lint, quilting batting, etc. right out of my rotary mats. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: IWoodSew
Date: 08-17-2006, 11:58 AM (8 of 9)
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Hi Everybody! I tried to wait and gather as many responses as possible and then I went out of town last week for a funeral. I want to thank everyone who responded as I am new to sewing/quilting. Based on the various posts and my own research (and budget), yesterday I returned my 17" x 23" June Tailor mat (with built-in handle) and purchased two 12"x18" Fiskars self-healing cutting mats. I purchased two smaller mats because of storage space and I noticed that some of the larger sized mats on the market are two smaller mats which come with clips to clip them together...cool ! Also, both of my mats are double sided; they are yellow on one side and pink on the other. Thanks again everyone for your help. 
Sew what's new?, you ask. Well, I just learned I may be a...
Procrastinating . . . Perfectionist 6:00 a.m. 6:15 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 6:45 a.m. 7:00 a.m. |
User: IWoodSew
Member since: 07-14-2006 Total posts: 5
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From: kmccrea
Date: 08-27-2006, 04:01 PM (9 of 9)
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I have Olfa cutting mats and have been using them for almost ten years, the same ones. So, you're really getting your money's worth when you buy one of those. I think I've had to use the mat scrubber only once and that was because I cut some fake fur on it. The only real damage to the mat is some a blot of fabric paint which happened when the bottle spilled and of course it had to go where the newspaper was not! And, that's just aestetics, not functional damage. I use my cutting table a lot and keep it up all the time. If I'm not sewing, then I'm cutting, drafting or other creative things. Just make sure your mats are stored flat and away from heat. They will warp! Katherine McCrea
Designer At Large |
User: kmccrea
Member since: 05-07-2006 Total posts: 173 
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