How to Cut Accurately with the Quilters Select Poppie Cotton Pink Mat: Tips for Quilters
Accurate cutting is where an accurate quilt begins. If strips and squares start out even a fraction off, those errors add up at the sewing machine. The Quilters Select Poppie Cotton 22" x 34" Pink Mat gives you a large, clearly marked surface for rotary cutting, so you can measure, align, and cut with confidence — with a bright pop of pink in your sewing space.
What This Cutting Mat Is
This is a special edition rotary cutting mat from Poppie Cotton and Quilter's Select. It measures 22 inches by 34 inches and features a vibrant pink color. The mat is double-sided, giving you a working surface on both sides for extended use. Printed grid lines and angle markings help you line up fabric and rulers for accurate cuts every time. It is crafted from high-quality materials, designed with precision and durability in mind, and made to help reduce fabric shifting while you cut.
Why Quilters and Crafters Use It
- Accurate measuring: Grid lines and angle markings make it easier to align fabric edges and rulers before you cut.
- Less shifting: The mat is designed to reduce fabric shifting, which helps improve cutting accuracy.
- Two sides to work on: A double-sided surface means you can flip the mat over and keep working, extending its useful life.
- Room to work: The 22" x 34" size suits both large quilts and small projects, from long strips to individual blocks.
- For every skill level: It is ideal for both beginners learning to cut and seasoned quilters who cut every day.
How to Use It, Step by Step
- Set the mat on a flat surface: Place the mat on a sturdy, level table so it lies completely flat.
- Prepare your fabric: Press your fabric to remove wrinkles, then lay it smoothly on the mat, smoothing out any folds.
- Align with the grid: Line up a straight fabric edge or fold with a grid line. Check alignment at both ends so the fabric is not skewed.
- Position your ruler: Place your quilting ruler on the fabric, aligning its markings with the mat grid and the measurement you need. Hold it firmly so it cannot creep.
- Cut with your rotary cutter: Cut along the ruler edge in one steady motion, keeping the ruler pressed down until the cut is complete, and always cut away from your body.
- Use the angle markings: For angled pieces, align fabric and ruler with the mat's angle markings, and double-check the angle before cutting.
- Check your pieces: Measure the first cut piece against your pattern. If it is correct, continue cutting the rest the same way.
Practical Tips
Square up your fabric before cutting strips — one true edge, aligned carefully to the grid, makes every strip that follows more accurate. Cut larger pieces first, then sub-cut them into smaller units, re-checking alignment as you go. Alternate which side of this double-sided mat you work on from project to project to spread wear evenly. Keep your ruler hand flat and firm, with fingers well away from the cutting edge, and change your rotary blade when cuts start to skip — a dull blade encourages pressing harder, which is when fabric is most likely to shift.
Care and Storage
Store the mat flat, never rolled or folded, so it stays flat for accurate measuring. Keep it away from direct heat and prolonged sunlight, and do not iron on it. Wipe it clean with a soft, damp cloth to remove lint and threads after a cutting session. Storing it flat on your cutting table, or standing straight without anything heavy pressing unevenly on it, will help it last.
Project Ideas
Use this mat as your main cutting station for pieced quilts, where long, accurate strips and consistent squares matter most. It is equally handy for cutting binding strips, squaring up finished blocks before assembly, and trimming small projects like table runners, tote bags, and placemats. Its generous size suits large quilts and small projects alike.
Shop the Quilters Select Poppie Cotton 22" x 34" Pink Mat at Linda's Electric Quilters.
