Quilting has always been a calming and creative hobby for us. Quilting may be exceedingly tough without the correct accessories, and can even destroy your surface, even if it isn't always easy. Quilting cutting mats, for example, are an addition that will elevate your quilting to a new level. So, what exactly are quilted cutting mats? Quilting cutting mats are specially designed cutting mats for quilting and sewing crafts.
Grids are commonly printed on the surface of quilt cutting mats to aid in the precise cutting of fabric into shapes. Quilting mats are useful for a wide range of crafts that need precision fabric cutting, including quilts, dresses, t-shirts, curtains, and more. Whether you're new to quilting or cutting mats, there are a few things you should know before selecting the best Cutting Mats in Australia. In our buying guide, we'll go through the benefits and things to think about before buying them.
What is a Cutting Mat?
Along with stitching, a cutting mat serves as a surface for a variety of craft endeavours. A cutting mat is necessary whenever you use a rotary cutter or a utility knife for any job. The cutting mat's main functions are to protect your work surface from harm and prevent your knife from becoming dull. They are excellent for sewing, painting, crafts, quilting, and a variety of other tasks. On one side, they are marked with a grid guide for precise measurements. To ensure straight and clean cuts while safeguarding your work surface, cutting mats also serve as an accurate measuring reference.
What are the Benefits?
Quilting cutting mats provide for precise cutting while also being simple to clean. They are easy to clean because they are constructed of non-stick material. Plus, because of the huge surface area, you'll have plenty of room to arrange your pattern and get the cutting done. When you're working on a project, this is very vital. To get the greatest results, you must cut properly.
There's no need to cut the pieces with scissors if you have the correct quilting mat. This tool helps you cut your layers fast and correctly thanks to pre-measured marks. You don't need to put any extra effort into trimming it at this stage. The quilting cutting mat makes the sewing process easier and faster.
Paylessdeal has some of the Best Cutting Mats for Quilting and Sewing that are created with Teflon, a non-stick coating that makes cutting fabric simple and straightforward. When a cutting mat becomes dirty, all it takes is some soapy water and a sponge to clean it. This will clean and sterilise the area at the same time.
Quilting cutting mats are safe to use for various reasons. To begin with, they are exceedingly hard and durable. They may also be cleaned and washed without difficulty. They are also free of irritating smells and are generally produced from environmentally safe materials. These mats are composed of a special material that allows the cutting edge to pass through without leaving markings or causing harm. They can also tolerate a lot of wear and tear.
Factors to Consider before Buying
If you want to buy high-quality Cutting Mats Online, you need to understand a few things regarding the mat's size. The most typical dimension for these mats is 24" x 36," however smaller and larger mats are also available. Smaller mats may be a nice alternative if you're just getting started and don't want a lot of space. The larger mats, on the other hand, will provide you with more space to cut your cloth.
When searching for a quilting cutting mat, you may believe that bigger is better, but opt for a quilting cutting mat that is thinner. Most tasks can be completed with even the thinnest quilting cutting mat, but if you're cutting a lot of fabric, you'll need a thicker quilting cutting mat.
Despite the fact that many mats are composed of identical materials, the quality of the mats varies. It's crucial to figure out where you'll utilise the mats first. If you're going to use the mats to cut cloth, make sure they're thick and durable so the blade of your rotary cutter or scissors doesn't go through it. If you're going to use the mats to cut paper items, choose one that's thin and light. The mat should have a sticky surface that won't slide about on the table or floor, and the backing should be strong enough to hold the mat in place and not shred easily.
Cutting on a mat that isn't the same shade as your cloth is always easier. When choosing a mat, look for one that will provide you with the most possibilities. If you produce a lot of green things, for example, you might need to invest in grey, pink, red, or blue mats instead of buying one that is green on both sides. Also, with your shading selection, make sure the marks are clear to see.
Choose cutting mats with self-healing capabilities if you're serious about preventing harm to your work area and saving money by not having to replace damaged cutting mats. You might be wondering, though, what precisely a "self-healing" cutting mat is. A mat that mends itself once a cut is made on its surface is known as a self-healing cutting mat. Materials with numerous particles that separate when the mat is sliced are used to make self-healing mats. Once restored, they join together once more, "healing" the surface. If you want your cutting mat to last you a long time, this is a crucial feature to consider.
You may use a cutting mat for other purposes if you're not yet interested in spending money on one, so keep that in mind. The mat can be used for a variety of purposes. Additionally, using a mat while marking and pinning is excellent. This guards against accidental marking or pin scratching on your surface or table. You may place mats side by side on the dining room table for extremely large jobs to create an even larger workspace.
Additionally, they provide these useful portable cutting and pressing stations with an ironing surface on one side and a cutting mat on the other. If you frequently sew on the go or have a little space, they are fantastic. There are even businesses that can produce bespoke sizes for you if you have a dedicated sewing room and want to invest.
Like any tool or substance, it will last longer and perform as intended for the duration of its existence if it is kept clean and maintained. Even though your cutting mats have self-healing capabilities, they all need a little maintenance to make sure you can utilise them to their full potential.
Usage a lint roller or other lint removal tool to sweep any invisible fibers that could be driven into the cutting mat material across the surface of your cutting mat after each use. The surface should also be cleaned with a fresh, non-cotton towel. However, fabric towels should be avoided since they might leave behind extra fluff or lint on the cutting mat surface. Use a moist cloth and a tiny quantity of washing-up liquid to restore your big self-healing cutting mat's surface to like-new where markings like ink or pencil are difficult to remove with a dry cloth.
Always wash down your mat after cleaning with clean, cool water to eliminate any remaining cleaner and stay away from using harsh chemicals on your mat that can potentially destroy any alignment grid lines from the surface. Your cutting mat may begin to "scar" over time and under heavy use in certain locations due to repeated use in that location, which results in permanent splits or cuts in the surface of your cutting mat. Use a different region of the cutting mat while working for long periods of time to guarantee that your self-healing cutting mat can benefit from its self-healing abilities. You should also rotate and flip your cutting mat on a regular basis.
How to Save on Cutting Mats Online?
Due to the variety of mats, you may find a significant price variation, but in general, Cutting Mat Prices in Australia range between A$8 to as high as A$69. The well-known and user-friendly price comparison engine from Paylessdeal keeps you up to date on a wide choice of quilting cutting mats available in Australia from a number of stores. As a consequence, you'll be able to access a wide range of resources. We've prepared a list of cutting mats for kids from a range of Australian companies, including Amazon, to help you compare prices. It enables you to obtain the best available things without spending a fortune, making your purchase easier and less expensive.
How do I choose a cutting mat?
Look for cutting mats with at least three plys. The cutting mat's outside plies should not be too thin, and the mat's interior ply should be substantial. A strong inner cutting mat ply prevents the mat from being cut through and helps cutting blades last longer.
What is a good size for a cutting mat?
Many individuals choose cutting mats that are 24" by 36" in size. This size is ideal for many projects and helps you estimate how many yards of fabric you have stowed. Most crafts, including leather craft, scrapbooking, sewing, fabric quilting, and patchwork, may use 18" by 24" rotary cutting mats.
What is a self-healing cutting mat?
Self-healing mats are made up of several small bits of material that are pressed together to form a firm cutting surface. The blade of any cutting tool you use on this mat will go between these little bits. Rather than cutting into the full unit of the surface, this divides them.
