However when the mat warps from improper storage or from being overheated it loses most of that usefulness.
How to make a rotary cutting mat.
A cutting mat is a must for an avid craft lover or sewer.
You can use the edge of a table to help you mark a straight edge.
It is portable and can be stored under a bed or under a couch.
These graduated marks can be in metric units or standard and they make using a rotary cutting mat a lot easier than if you were measuring out every cut with a measuring tape.
Mats provide a sturdy surface for cutting fabrics and craft materials while protecting the table they rest on.
Make a diy cutting mat for sewing that can be moved from table to table.
Line up the fold with one of the horizontal lines on the cutting mat or if your mat is unlined use a square rotary ruler.
Place the fabric on the cutting mat fold near the bottom edge side to be squared on the left.
There are two different types of rotary cutting mats.
Rotary cutters come in varying sizes.
That s where a rotary cutter and a cutting mat come in handy.
The mat i like the best is one that has the easiest to read grid lines lines spaced one inch apart and also marked with 1 8 1 4 1 2 and 1 increments.
Self healing and hard surface.
Rotary cutting mats protect your work surface from damage while also providing convenient measurements cutting lines and angles.
Rotary cutters provide unbeatable cutting versatility and are best used in tandem with a cutting mat and a ruler.
High quality self healing cutting mats last longer than other.
But in the long run you will need a mat anyway.
Cutting mats are placed under the fabric to avoid damaging your work surface while quilting rulers can help you cut straight as well as provide precise measurements.
A cutting mat should be made of self healing plastic which prolongs the life and improves the quality of the mat itself.
General care tips for rotary cutting mats.
Self healing mats are the most popular because rotary cutters don t leave cutting marks behind.
I also prefer a mat that is self healing because it reseals rotary blade cuts.
To use a rotary cutter when you don t have a cutting mat you can use thick cardboard or even the bottom of an old shelf in a pinch but this can dull your blades with time.
Most rotary cutting mats have grids and lines all over the place that let you have references for some of the most common cuts that are performed in crafting and quilting.
A hard surface cutting mat needs to be replaced once there are too many cutting marks and nicks on the surface.
When it comes to fabric sometimes scissors just won t cut it.
For olfa a self healing mat also helps to extend the life of the cutting mat and rotary cutter blade.
