Today our self healing cutting mats are in the hot seat. So much to know about our tools. Once we know the details, we can use them correctly and maintain them as they should be so they last longer. I hope you enjoy this dive into cutting mats. They are an important part of of quilting

Great tips! Here’s one more: Your old, sliced up cutting mats make great firm bottoms for handbags and other homemade bags. Just cut to size, cover with some fabric and pop it in!

Hint: when travelling with your mat in freezing weather, keep it in the heated part of your car. A very cold mat can break when you pick it up. I learned this lesson the hard way.

I bought a large mat from a flea market and used it for a couple of years. I struggled with my piecing but never equated it with the mat. When I got my new mat, something triggered my brain and I took out a ruler and measured the measurements on my new and old mat. The old mat had measurements that were off, like REALLY off. No wonder my piecing was so awful! Now I check the accuracy of my mat and rely more on my ruler for accurate results.

Oh my gosh! Flip it over for batting scraps! I’d have never thought! Thank you Karen!!

to flatten a self healing cutting mat - mine got seriously warped ( like wavey ) during a summer house move. All I did was lay it flat on the clean, level patio in the full sun for half a day, in full sun, and it went completely back into shape. I had read some years ago, that a husband had put his wife's mat in the sun with a sheet of glass on top with the same result, but I had no glass. My mat is perfect now. :)

Almost 20 years ago I was given a cutting mat that folded in three. Over the years, those folds have weakened until they finally gave way. I finally caved and admitted I needed a new one. My wonderful mother in law, who taught me to sew, bought me a tabletop sized one for Christmas. So I've been using the pieces of my old one as mini, turnable, moveable cutting mats. I can't believe how handy the little 12 inch pieces are!!!

You are incredible! I found a HUGE mat at Goodwill for $2.00!!! Got it almost completely clean (embedded batting)...will use the bathtub hack to finish the process! 😊 😊

The dollar tree sells a makeup brush dry cleaner in a round tin that I use to clean the fibers off my mat. I saw that it looked similar to your piece of foam when i saw your other video about common household tools to use in your sewing room (sorry, I forgot the actual name of the video, it has a picture of you with the red tool box). It looks very close to your piece of foam and works great!

I’ve been putting off cleaning mine but now I know the time has come. Thanks so much for your great advice Karen. Congratulations on your 300,000 subscribers. I know you have worked hard for this and I’m glad that it’s come to fruition.

I've never thought of using the back side of the cutting mat. Great idea and perhaps will lengthen life of it.

Two dollar blade I wish. $25.00 for an Olfa 28mm blade in NZ. As always very informative. It makes my day when I see a new video from you waiting to be watched. Thankyou.

It never occurred to me to soak and wash my cutting mat! I’m going to do that. I appreciate you sharing all this valuable information.

I was gifted a good cutting mat 20-odd years ago when I started getting into sewing. I didn't continue but I've always kept the mat, stored behind a dresser or somewhere flat, away from heat. Occasionally it would be used for a small project. Now that I've taken up quilting I'm so glad I hung onto it, and just happened to store it correctly so it's good as new. I've always just wiped it down with a damp rag but I'll make sure to clean the fibers out of it now.

Honestly! Everytime I watch I learn something! Cutting fuzzy crap.on the back!! Geeeenius! Xo

I love my Martelli mat. Saved up and kept checking back for their sales! I also bought their strip ruler. Best ruler ever. No slip. And I rarely use a ruler to measure anymore, the Martelli mat has continuous markings so it is easy to line up your fabric. They even have a special spot on their mats for 12”, 10” etc squares

Great tips, Karen. I melted my first 24 x 36 mat with a lamp many years ago. So sad as it was a time when I couldn't afford to go out and buy a brand new large mat right away. I was using the mat under some close work I was doing on another craft. I had a lamp that was lower to the surface. It was a regular bulb from yesteryear. Too hot. Very disappointing, but I kept this mat. I now use it for my crafts that use paint, glue, etc and keep my "new" mat for fabric only. A very expensive lesson. I use a lint roller after I do fleece or batting. It gets up most of the fluff and it hasn't left a sticky residue. I have also purchased "cheaper" mats. The surface started flaking off right away every time my rotary cutter was used. My tip is to always buy Brand names.

Thanks for the cleaning tips. Happy Valentines day

BIG congrats on 300,000 subscribers - me included!!!!!

I have binge watched your videos…amazing! I have always been too afraid to try quilting but now after watching your channel I feel more confident and ready to do it. Thank you so much for sharing your gift.

Fantastic video. You answered all my questions. Thank you!

Happy Valentine's Day, Karen! Congratulations on 300K plus. I find your videos inspiring and helpful. I am going to start my first lap quilt soon using shirts, tops, etc which my Mom wore just before she died in August.

Karen, you are the best!! Thx once again for your helpful, practical info. Have a great day.

Perfect timing! My small A4 mat finally kicked the bucket and I've been wondering what the difference between all the mats were! Thanks as always for your videos

Very helpful! All questions I had years ago that most quilters couldn't answer. Thanks so much on how to clean and maintain!

Great tips Karen. I have been cleaning with a foam square but time for a soak in the bath. Turning over for batting now or keeping an older smaller mat just for batting. I have quite deep ridges on my usual cutting lines so I have turned my mat around and added new numbers to make it easier.♥️🇦🇺

Thanks Karen! This was very informative, as usual. Happy Valentine's Day. Spring is around the corner.

This is the most informative video I have seen! I’ve been digging through a lot of videos and how to’s etc. since I am beginner who started just over a year ago. Masks, table cloths, placemats, skirts, etc. I wish I had found this one on my original search. I plan on starting a quilt soon. Just trying to decide the proper products for what I need. Thank you for making your videos, (I have watched a few of them so far,) so informative, The right amount of information delivered at the right speed, clear and concise, you do not drone on and on, you’re an excellent presenter! I like the included video clips that show work in progress. I actually watch your videos right till the end : ) Looking forward to learning more!

I keep used bounce sheets and use them to wipe the cutting mat regularly. They are dry and have just enough abrasion to wipe off any lint. Thanks for your videos. I especially like your dollar store ideas.

I bought the best mat…. Then ironed on it , BUT USED TOWELS thinking I wasn’t harming it…warped the mat.. got a new one & a super thick wool pad… it warped that mat😡……..so now I got another mat (#3)isn’t as thick or nice… so I’m going to try your hack with the books to restore my first mat……I was never so frustrated!!!! Currently I use a fold up ironing board & my wool mat for smaller pieces… on a square file cabinet… I did find a heat resistant mat from value village not sure what it was for but it was old & still in its package & I put that under the thick wool square mat… so I got that going for me.. 3 mats later…lol. I thought I was so clever getting the extra thick wool ironing mat. Thinking it wouldn’t warp the second cutting mat!!! It NEEDS TO BE SOLD WIITH A BACKING OR NOTE TO indicate DO NOT PLACE IT ON CUTTING MATS… PS…. A small chunk of 2x4 or 2x6 by 6 inches makes a great moisture absorbing block after ironing.. little trick I learned along the way.. 🤗

Happy Valentines Day. Just love all your informative videos. Thanks.

Once again a brilliant video Karen, thank you ♥️

Congratulations on reaching 300.000 subscribers. A well-earned milestone!

Terrific information! Another thing to think about before you might do this, cutting fabric on a slick surface will damage your rotary cutter blade, but when the cutter slips, and it will you run the risk of a nasty laceration. So save yourself some sutures and use a good cutting mat! Stitches belong in fabric not people!

Karen. I've been a long time subscriber, maybe from the start of your channel. I just wanted to say I am praying for your Country. I have strong opinions on what's happening, this is not the proper place to state them. But above all opinion, I believe your Country and citizens need prayer. Every single citizen no matter the side. Every single one. So with the same fever that I used to pray for your son, I will now include his, (and your), countrymen. God Bless the Maple leaf and all who live under it. Beth from Ohio.

Just bought a mini iron. Haven't used it yet but I've never payed attention to the cleaning. 🤷 I will this time. I have two larger older irons I rarely use. I usually use a mister. I only hope they don't have water in them that have been sitting for yrs. I will test them after cleaning and see. Luckily our water is spring well water. I may need a new larger one. Learned long ago to iron my clothes after getting them out of the dryer with a mist bottle by hand. It works really well🤗 I bought a Juki about 10 yrs ago. I did read instructions many times and still do. I only quilt and straight stitch. The rest is all by hand. I love this machine. I haven't used it too much in the last few yrs with a bad back but have had that mostly taken care of. Rearranged my sewing area to accommodate the back. Thanks for the tips!🙋🌼

Adding my two cents. Great teaching. Had it been me, I would never thought to mention mats NOT to use.

You are my new favorite teacher on you tube.

Thanks Karen! Happy Valentine's Day!!

Good video. I just bought a new cutting mat (my original one was over 20 years old), and I can't believe how cutting is so much easier. I always thought it was my blade but now I think it was the cutting mat. Nothing lasts forever!

Karen, Thank you for "being you" !! this is great info for all

Thank you for the review and I always gain something new, the cut the batting on the back of the mat was brilliant but of course I didn’t think to do that☺️.

I keep my old mats so when I’m squaring a quilt I abut two large mats on my dining room table for a 72” length. Doing this makes squaring a quilt or table runner easy.

I have mats for crafting and sewing. Thanks for the tips.

Thank you for all the great tips for our cutting mats! I love your quilt in the background!

I obtained my first cutting mat around 20 years ago. It came from where I worked because the art/graphics department was cleaning out their old supplies and I was given permission to take any of the discarded items. I came away with the full Pantone color guide (the kind that fans out), assorted cutting tools, and this huge, heavy-duty cutting mat that covers my cutting table. It did warp a bit in one corner because it was July and it took a while to get home but over time and with many heavy objects kept on that corner, it's nearly flat. I do have one of the larger green mats but for sewing nearly anything I prefer the big old white one. I do like the green mat when doing precision cutting because it's easy to turn for the best cutting approach and it has more markings suitable to sewing projects: the big white one is only a grid although its ruler is the same as the green mat. I will try the tub-soak cleaning method on it since I've only done spots over time. It is still white but there are a few fuzzy areas. My green one doesn't seem to get the fuzzies though.

Yep - warped my mat by using a wool ironing mat on it! Might have to try the stacks of books tip! Thank you for this video - it was very helpful.

Karen, I had a seriously warped A1 sized mat and I laid it in the bath and poured a kettle full of freshly boiled water over it, and the mat softened IMMEDIATELY - I dropped it onto the hard floor and voila! A PERFECTLY flat mat that cooled within 30 seconds into that flat form.

Congratulations Karen 💐. That's wonderful news. While I'm at it, Thanks for all the time and help you have shared with all of us. ❤️

Cutting minky fabric on the backside of my cutting mat? Yes! Great tips, thank you.

Once again terrific video! Congratulations on the 300,000 mark! ❤️❤️

I had a laugh when you said put your mat in the tub to soak. I would need a swimming pool to soak my mat because I have a very large industrial size mat. But I do have a couple small ones, but I don’t feel they need to be soaked. Great info.

Thank you for explaining this. I put a reminder in my monthly calendar to turn or flip my cutting mat. I never did wipe it down yet, but did after your video.

I was going through a bunch of junk and found one of these things, and had no clue what it was. I don't see myself using it, but thanks for explaining it.

Wonderful cleaning advice & flattening idea! Great tutorials as always! Congratulations 🎉 on subscribers!

At a conference years ago, I had a manufacturer tell me the Olfa green mats NEED to be hydrated regularly. My smaller ones go in the bathtub overnight twice a year. My 72” one is glued to my cutting table, so once a week I put a wet towel on it overnight. I didn’t verify his claim, but the first one I bought in the late 80’s is still going good (although the marking lines are long gone)

Congratulations on 300,000. I've learns so much from your videos.

Love hearing your advice. Congratulations on your viewers. You are fantastic 🤗

thanks for this info.

I really liked this video. i have a large mat and everything you said about it is so true! i want to look for a good ironing pad

Thank you so much for the great video on mats. It was so informative.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!!

Tried the industrial foam hack and it works wonderfully! Gotta love free. Thank you

Congratulations on your accomplishment. I enjoy your videos.

Wow! Congratulations!! That’s exciting!

So cool! I had no idea you could soak it in the tub

Congratulations Karen!!!

congratulations. so happy for you. love all the shows/videos.

Karen, this was so helpful! I have been wondering how to assess my cutting board, and I judge it fit for a little more miles with just a little care. Thank you!

Thank you Karen 💕 congratulations on getting 300K subscribers!

Congratulations Karen, and thankyou !

I have put mine in between my mattress and box spring. 🙏🏻💜

Happy Valentines day from a blustery St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Congratulations!!!!! Your the best!!!!!

I’m gonna let everyone in on a secret, if there a 🇨🇦 Princess Auto store near you, they have a nice sized green cutting mat for a fraction of the cost.

Thank you for the information. My husband also like these mats. I had one break and he uses one of the pieces I his workshop

Thanks for confirming the steps I normally do for my cutting mats! Its always good to review things to be sure you are current and I appreciate your videos. I would like to know where you can find a $2.00 rotary blade. I have not seen one at that price on the west coast for over 10 years or more. If you have a good source I'm sure there are a lot of us out here that would love to help that source by buying blades form them!

I appreciate your in depth detail .

Thank you! This is so helpful!

💥 Thank you 🤺💐

300,000 subscribers? No surprise. You’re great!

could you do a segment on quilt suspension systems for domestic machines, used when quilting the 3 layers.

Perfect timing!! Trying to decide if I want to invest in a rotating cutting mat, this information is super helpful✂️

Thank you

Congratulations and great information thanks for sharing. Happy Valentines Day

I so look forward to your videos. YOU taught me to quilt and you teach me something new with every upload. Thank you for being such a valuable and informative teacher. Time to go clean my cutting mat.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for this video.

Great info!!

Congratulations on hitting 300,000 subscribers.

Congratulations on the 300,000 subscribers!

Super useful video here. Thank you!

Love your tips and tricks

Congrats on 300,000 subscribers 👏🎉🎊

Thank you. I will try some of your hacks for sure

Thank you SO much for this video! You answered every question I had and more I didn't know to ask. One thing that I notice when shopping for one is a lack of info on weather mats are both in inches and metric. I (usually) use metric for sewing but imperial for many other tasks. I will take your advice on buying a smaller/less expensive mat to determine what it is that I will need for my forever mat. Congrats on your successes!

Thank you so much Karen ❤️

Thanks Karen!

Congratulations!!!!!!🙏🏻💜

I came in to watch your video and I have no idea how I would of clicked in "thumbs down" There is NO WAY I would have done that, so a big two 👍👍 in the comments! Sorry Karen. I love your videos.