How to Use a Quilting Cutting Mat
Popular since the 1980s, rotary cutters and quilt cutting mats can reduce your fabric cutting time immensely. Rather than simply cut out fabric with scissors, this system allows quilters to cut up to eight layers of fabric at once. Using a system of cutter, rulers and mats, quilters can save hours of cutting time, freeing up more time for the creative side of quilting, which is the sewing and designing.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Place the mat on a table or other flat surface, with good clear lighting above. Make sure that there is nothing around the mat that will interfere with the cutting process.
-
2
Lay the fabric on the mat. You may use multiple layers of fabric. Line up the top and bottom folds or edges of the fabric with the horizontal lines on the mat, and have the right hand edge of the fabric a little past the right side of one of the mat's cutting lines.
-
-
3
Lay the ruler on top of the fabric, lined up exactly with the cutting line. Hold the ruler down firmly, but make sure that your fingers are on top of the ruler and not extending over the mat.
-
4
Begin cutting along the cutting line on the mat. Cut from the bottom toward the top, running the rotary cutter snug along the ruler edge. At the end of this cut, remove the small bit of fabric from the right-hand edge and discard.
-
5
Move the ruler to the left on the fabric. Do not move the fabric--keep it centered on the mat lines. If you are making three inch strips, use the measuring lines on the mat to determine where to set the ruler. Firmly place the ruler on the three inch line, and cut along the ruler edge again.
-
6
Make diamonds by placing strips vertically on the mat, and using the 45 degree markings on the mat. Lay the ruler so that it is even with the 45 degree lines, and cut along the edge of the ruler.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
While most mats are self-healing, occasionally a dull blade will leave lines or gouges. There are mat smoothing devices to smooth your mat, so that you can repair rather than replace it.
If you are left-handed, reverse these direction, substituting left for right and vice-versa.
Rotary cutters are razor blades with handles. Use extreme caution when using these tools, as they can slip on the mat surface if not held firmly.
