With a cutting mat under fabric and paper, you can ensure that your floor or table doesn't get damaged when you cut. There are many hobbies that require the use of a knife or scalpel to achieve precise and clean cuts, and a cutting mat is virtually indispensable.
Here you can choose from many different models suitable for patchwork, papercutting and more. These are soft and pliable mats that not only keep your table scratch-free, but also make sure your knife doesn't get dull.
When to use a cutting board?
There are many good reasons to use a cutting board when cutting. If you're making long cuts, you can choose a large cutting mat to avoid having to move things around while you're in the middle of a cut. If you're cutting fabric for patchwork or beautiful paper cuts, a self-healing cutting mat is a good investment to avoid unevenness and scratches in the surface that can lead to mistakes and crooked cuts.
There can also be a difference in the hardness of the board, which is largely a matter of preference for the user. Often, self-hardening cutting boards will be softer than regular cutting boards.
How do you use a cutting mat?
Many people prefer the classic green cutting mat that is also divided into both cm and inches lengthwise and crosswise, making it easier to position your fabric or paper and ensure your cuts are straight. Especially if you're working with patchwork, it's important to cut accurately so you don't end up with pieces that don't match your patterns.
If you're working with paper, the checkered backing is also a great tool, whether you're cutting or making scratches to fold. It allows you to work more accurately and cleanly when it comes to the clean lines often found in art forms such as origami and the like.
What else do you need?
Depending on what you need your cutting board for, you'll usually need a number of other tools to carry out your hobby. Whether you're working with paper or fabric, you'll find what you need in our range.
Cutting tools
To get clean and straight cuts, you need the right cutting equipment. On this page you'll find scalpels, rotary cutters and craft knives, so you can find what gives you the best results and cleanest cuts.
Chalk and pens
You'll also find a large selection of chalk and pens so you can mark off before you start cutting. This ensures straight cuts and precise distances. The chalk disappears in the wash, as do a number of the pens we sell for use in the sewing room.
Rulers
Of course, you'll also find a large selection of different rulers for both papercutting and quilting. The ruler helps you to both measure and keep track of straight lines and strokes.
How to take care of your cutting board
When your cutting mat is not in use, you should take care of it so that it doesn't end up uneven or bend due to improper storage. Because the surface is so soft on self-healing cutting mats, it's especially important to keep them out of direct sunlight. None of the surfaces benefit from direct sunlight, but the self-healing ones are especially vulnerable to the sun.
If you don't have your cutting board on the table all the time, it's important to make sure you store it under the bed or similar, rather than behind the door or against the wall. This will prevent the mat from bending and not lying evenly when you need to use it again.
Buy your cutting mats from us
We have one of the largest selections of craft supplies online. We love crafts and are always working to expand our range so that you can always find exactly what you're looking for when you visit our site.
We're always ready to answer your questions if you have any doubts or if there's an item you can't find on the site. Get inspired by our large selection and order your cutting mats today!