cutting matts

[swakins]

I recently got a new mat, my old one was so old it had no line markings on it, I am not sure how old it was but the price sticker was still on it and it was $14 (17 x 23). I think it was about 18 yrs old. I asked on another list what was reccomended, and Olfa was the number one recommended. But the real clincher for me on buying another Olfa was that I noticed at my LQS they had cutting tables with white mats built on the top surface, and they had Olfa mats laid on top of that. I have used the eraser to clean mine, but a sharp blade is most important.
OHSue

[grammiequilts]

I have several different ones the Olfas are 20 years old. The lines are gone but I use the other side now and don't use the lines any more because they are not accurate. I have on another table a blue mat and it is harder but works equally well. I also would be interested in the washing method for these mats.

[sandyw7388]

I use one of those cheap shower sponges/scrunchies to clean my mat with. I'm not real sure what you call it, but it is what I use in the shower rather than a wash cloth. I use the good brand in my shower, but I had bought a pack of 3 at a dollar store and when I tried using one, it was too rough feeling. So, I thought why not try one on my mat and sure enough, it cleans it of any left over threads, etc. I clean my mat after every few cuts because it only takes a couples of sweeps from top to bottom and it's done. But, I've also graduated to an Alto cutter system, so I don't use my mat as much anymore.

[GrandmaTaz]

If you have small hands and always use a 45m rotary cutter, try using the 60 or 65m to cut your fleece works much better. The Dritz, big blue one that is the touch sensitive one (blade doesn't come out until us press down it) is a good one for fleece. I have large hands and like the Fiskars big 65m blade one with the soft grip curved handle. I use that for all my cutting, unless I'm cutting something small. It fits my hand better.