Lurker with questions

I have been a lurker for a while and even introduced myself about a year and
a half ago. I haven't had much time to get back into quilting once my son
was born in September of last year. A short reintroduction: I was born and
raised in northern CA but moved to VA in 2000 so my DH could attend graduate
school. I have a son who was born in September 2003 who keeps me extremely
busy.

My mother is thinking about starting to quilt and she asked for a cutting
mat and rotary cutter for Christmas. She and a few coworkers made two
quilts for people that were retiring and she enjoyed it very much. Two of
the people are quilters and told her that she "must have" a good cutting mat
and rotary cutter. What size mat would you reccommend? What brand is the
best for a beginner? She doesn't know if she will make many quilts so I
don't want to spend a fortune. Any help you can give me would be much
appreciated.

Thanks,

Jennifer

I know this one! I have several sizes of mats and the best size is the 23" x
35" Olfa. That way you can cut the full width of the fabic folded once (42" -
44" halved). The best ruler, IMO, is the omnigrid 6" x 24" and I like having
the finger guard on it (bought seperately at Walmart or Craft Warehouse). Olfa
cutters are great. MIne is about 2" in diameter. There is also an ergonomic
one for arthritics I just bought. Mats are expensive, so I would recommend
getting it at Joann's with a coupon. If you are going to have to mail your
gift it would be better to send a gift certificate and coupon. She will love
this gift!
Debra in Idaho

Welcome back!

I like the 24 x 36 mat the best. It's a nice size for all kinds of
cutting. I have always used the green ones from JoAnns and they have
worn quite well.

Someone else mentioned the 6 x 24 ruler, though I have recently fallen
in love with the Omnigrip (not grid) rulers. They have a non-skid
surface on them and don't slide around at all.

I think I have the old fashioned version of the rotary cutter which
works well for me because I cut both right and left handed. Some of the
newer "safety" models and ergonomic models don't work that way - you
have to take them apart and reassemble them to use them left handed.

While I love my local quilt shops I do generally buy these items at
Joanns. I take advantage of their big sales or the 40% off coupons that
you get from their sale mailers every few weeks. Sure makes a
difference in the final cost as these are rather pricy items.

marcella

In article ,
"Jennifer" wrote:

I have been a lurker for a while and even introduced myself about a year and
a half ago. I haven't had much time to get back into quilting once my son
was born in September of last year. A short reintroduction: I was born and
raised in northern CA but moved to VA in 2000 so my DH could attend graduate
school. I have a son who was born in September 2003 who keeps me extremely
busy.

My mother is thinking about starting to quilt and she asked for a cutting
mat and rotary cutter for Christmas. She and a few coworkers made two
quilts for people that were retiring and she enjoyed it very much. Two of
the people are quilters and told her that she "must have" a good cutting mat
and rotary cutter. What size mat would you reccommend? What brand is the
best for a beginner? She doesn't know if she will make many quilts so I
don't want to spend a fortune. Any help you can give me would be much
appreciated.

Thanks,

Jennifer

I really like my ergonomic Olfa cutter -- much easier on the hand and
wrist. I think the first ruler should be a 6x24. She'll add more as she
finds a use for them.

Julia in MN
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I'm going to jump in and disagree with most everyone.......... I don't
like the 6x24 ruler. It is too long for me to use easily and the end of
the cut is always off. I fold my fabric again, make sure the folds are
absolutely parallel and cut that way. Much more accurate, especially if
you have shorter arms or are not easy about "walking" your fingers up
the ruler to keep the cut accurate.
My favorite sizes of rulers are the 6 x 12 and the 4 x 14 inch ones.
I do like the ergonomic/deluxe Olfa cutter, but also like the Martelli
for cutting while seated, especially at classes and guild meetings where
I don't have a "proper" height table. Much easier on my back.

Pati, in Phx who just taught a class on "the care and feeding of your
rotary cutter" on Sunday.

Julia in MN wrote:

I really like my ergonomic Olfa cutter -- much easier on the hand and
wrist. I think the first ruler should be a 6x24. She'll add more as
she finds a use for them.

Julia in MN

My favorite ruler is a 6x12 also Pati. I like the 28mm rotary
cutter too. Maybe because they are what I started with and are
familiar.

Taria

Pati Cook wrote:

I'm going to jump in and disagree with most everyone.......... I don't
like the 6x24 ruler. It is too long for me to use easily and the end of
the cut is always off. I fold my fabric again, make sure the folds are
absolutely parallel and cut that way. Much more accurate, especially if
you have shorter arms or are not easy about "walking" your fingers up
the ruler to keep the cut accurate. My favorite sizes of rulers are the
6 x 12 and the 4 x 14 inch ones.
I do like the ergonomic/deluxe Olfa cutter, but also like the Martelli
for cutting while seated, especially at classes and guild meetings where
I don't have a "proper" height table. Much easier on my back.

Pati, in Phx who just taught a class on "the care and feeding of your
rotary cutter" on Sunday.

In article ,
Marcella Tracy Peek wrote:

I like the 24 x 36 mat the best. It's a nice size for all kinds of
cutting. I have always used the green ones from JoAnns and they have
worn quite well.

Someone else mentioned the 6 x 24 ruler, though I have recently fallen
in love with the Omnigrip (not grid) rulers. They have a non-skid
surface on them and don't slide around at all.

I think I have the old fashioned version of the rotary cutter which
works well for me because I cut both right and left handed. Some of the
newer "safety" models and ergonomic models don't work that way - you
have to take them apart and reassemble them to use them left handed.

While I love my local quilt shops I do generally buy these items at
Joanns. I take advantage of their big sales or the 40% off coupons that
you get from their sale mailers every few weeks. Sure makes a
difference in the final cost as these are rather pricy items.


Marcella, you've said almost exactly what I'd have said! g The only
difference is that I prefer the ergonomic/safety versions of the Olfa or
Fiskars rotary cutter; I don't mind switching the blade to the other
side to use (I'm left-handed), and these cutters are simply more
comfortable for me. However, for the mats and where to buy them, as well
as the cutters and rulers, I also like to use my coupons at JoAnn's;
saving money there gives me more to spend at the LQS on fabric! BTW, I
have also fallen in love (it's been a year now, so I guess it's not so
recent g) with the Omnigrip rulers -- I'll be replacing all of my
Omnigrids with these non-slip versions as the older ones break or lose
corners. g
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

I'm with you Pati. I like the 6x12 ruler also. I find it a lot easier to
handle, I quess I'm build a little too close to the ground ( lol ) and I
have problems reaching too far across the kitchen table where I usually set
up the mat and do all my cutting.

Patty in NWO


"Pati Cook" wrote in message
nk.net...
I'm going to jump in and disagree with most everyone.......... I don't
like the 6x24 ruler. It is too long for me to use easily and the end of
the cut is always off. I fold my fabric again, make sure the folds are
absolutely parallel and cut that way. Much more accurate, especially if
you have shorter arms or are not easy about "walking" your fingers up the
ruler to keep the cut accurate. My favorite sizes of rulers are the 6 x 12
and the 4 x 14 inch ones.
I do like the ergonomic/deluxe Olfa cutter, but also like the Martelli for
cutting while seated, especially at classes and guild meetings where I
don't have a "proper" height table. Much easier on my back.

Pati, in Phx who just taught a class on "the care and feeding of your
rotary cutter" on Sunday.

Julia in MN wrote:

I really like my ergonomic Olfa cutter -- much easier on the hand and
wrist. I think the first ruler should be a 6x24. She'll add more as she
finds a use for them.

Julia in MN

My goodness, Jennifer. So many different answers and mine will only add to
the confusion. I don't like the "grippy" rulers, I prefer the ones that will
slide. My favorite ruler is long - about 5" x 23" and has a lip on the front
edge so I can hold that rascal straight once I've squared it up with the
lines on my mat. My neighbor loves her white cutting mat that can be rolled
up and stored without causing it any harm.
What are the chances that you could persuade your Mom to go to her
friend/quilters' homes and see what she likes best? Polly

"Sandy Foster" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Marcella Tracy Peek wrote:

I like the 24 x 36 mat the best. It's a nice size for all kinds of
cutting. I have always used the green ones from JoAnns and they have
worn quite well.

Someone else mentioned the 6 x 24 ruler, though I have recently fallen
in love with the Omnigrip (not grid) rulers. They have a non-skid
surface on them and don't slide around at all.

I think I have the old fashioned version of the rotary cutter which
works well for me because I cut both right and left handed. Some of the
newer "safety" models and ergonomic models don't work that way - you
have to take them apart and reassemble them to use them left handed.

While I love my local quilt shops I do generally buy these items at
Joanns. I take advantage of their big sales or the 40% off coupons that
you get from their sale mailers every few weeks. Sure makes a
difference in the final cost as these are rather pricy items.


Marcella, you've said almost exactly what I'd have said! g The only
difference is that I prefer the ergonomic/safety versions of the Olfa or
Fiskars rotary cutter; I don't mind switching the blade to the other
side to use (I'm left-handed), and these cutters are simply more
comfortable for me. However, for the mats and where to buy them, as well
as the cutters and rulers, I also like to use my coupons at JoAnn's;
saving money there gives me more to spend at the LQS on fabric! BTW, I
have also fallen in love (it's been a year now, so I guess it's not so
recent g) with the Omnigrip rulers -- I'll be replacing all of my
Omnigrids with these non-slip versions as the older ones break or lose
corners. g
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1