OLFA Cutting Mat
Use A Self Healing Mat for Quilting

An Olfa cutting mat is among the first purchases a new quilter makes, followed closely by the rotary cutter and ruler. These quilting tools have allowed people (who otherwise would be turned off by the tedious cutting of patches one by one) to become quilters and to join in on the fun!

What makes an Olfa Cutting Mat special?

This cutting mat is specially made to use with a sharp Olfa rotary cutter blade. Its slightly rough texture helps keep the fabric from shifting while you cut.

When a cut is made on a "self healing" mat with a sharp blade, the cuts tend to close up. Your blade doesn't dull as fast. And your mat essentially "heals" itself and will be good for years of rotary cutting. (To extend its life, simply remember not cut in the same spot all the time.)

One side is typically marked with a grid; the other is unmarked. Mats can be reversible, meaning both sides are self healing and can be cut on. Use both and extend the mat's useful life. (Just check the label on your new mat.)

Do not use the measurements on the mat for cutting strips, squares and other shapes. Your cuts will be more consistent if you use the mat to cut on and your rulers to measure.

What size should I get?

For a beginning quilter buying that first mat, we recommend the 24" x 36" size, if at all possible. It's easiest to cut fabric strips on because you fold your fabric only once.

As your selection of quilting tools grows, you'll add other sizes. 18" x 24" is nice for class or bee. A small one is good next to your machine for quick trims. Lucky enough to have a dedicated cutting table? They make an Olfa cutting mat for that, too!

Olfa Cutting Mat Care and Troubleshooting

OLFA Cutting Mats love moisture!

It is recommended that you soak your mat from time to time. Your self healing mat loves moisture.

To soak it, put your mat in a bathtub or large container (would have to be large so it can lay flat) and soak it for 15-20 in a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar to every gallon of cool water. Let me repeat, cool water. Do this every so often to help extend its useful life.

Then use a squirt of mild dishwashing soap (Ivory) and clean the mat with a mushroom brush (soft is the key word here). The purpose of this gentle scouring is to remove the fibers that get trapped in the cuts marks preventing the cuts from "healing".

Keep 'em clean, keep 'em moist, keep 'em flat and NO heat. Your cutting mat is not a coffee cup coaster!

Phew!! My mat smells. How do I get rid of the odor?

Olfa recommends that you wipe the mat with a solution of equal parts of water and white vinegar. Let the mat sit for a few minutes. Rinse the mat and dry with a towel. Repeat as needed.

I've used my mat for other fabrics, and now it's got "fuzz" on it.

Fleece fibers in particular are attracted to your self healing mat. Clean your mat with a soft bristle brush (like a tooth or mushroom brush) and a solution of room temperature (not warm, not hot, not cold) water and a couple drops of a mild detergent. Work into a lather to gently clean the mat. Remember to rinse with, again, cool room temperature water and wipe dry with a clean towel.

My rotary cutting mat is warped? Can it be saved?

Olfa, on their website, says there is no proven way to fix a warped cutting mat.

However, many people swear they can fix a warped mat by:

• Laying it in the hot sun on the sidewalk
• Soaking in hot water and then laying flat
• Storing between the mattress and box spring to flatten over time

Now this seems contradictory to me...

So I went to the expert...

Charlie Hanney, owner of Olfa Deals, has been in the business since 1974. You've seen him at many of the large quilt shows in his Olfa booth. To visit his website go to Olfa Deals, his toll free phone number 1-800-735 8656.

I posed the question to him, "Can a quilter fix a warped Olfa cutting mat?"

Before going further, he asked me to make the following perfectly clear:

The method he proposes will work about 85% of the time. It is not perfect. It is not guaranteed. But it is what he does and has had good results.

NOTE:This is NOT recommended by Olfa, the manufacturer. Olfa is not in the "fix-a-mat" business.

And now for Charlie's answer...

Again, remember, this method works about 85% of the time to straighten a warped Olfa cutting mat. It is not guaranteed.

Warp Prevention

Now, the best way to fix a warped mat is to not let it happen in the first place:

• Always lay the mat flat and never on its edge
• Don't iron on it
• No hot food or drink on it
• Be careful not to place it close to a heat vent
• Store it flat under the bed or couch or on a cutting table.

Take care of your Olfa cutting mat, keep it clean, use the whole mat and not just one spot, and you'll have this very necessary quilting tool for years to come.

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