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I bought a rotating Olfa mat last week and yesterday I noticed that a cut I made in it hasn't 'healed'. Do some cuts take a while to close up?
I have been using a 24 x 36 Olfa mat since July this year when I starting quilting and it doesn't have any lasting cuts in it that I can see.
How new is your rotary blade? If it is older, it may be leaving a bigger cut and pressing tiny little threads into the cut because you are having to press harder. Either that or you are cutting in the same place several times is all I can think of.
The same one I've used since July, Karen. I haven't changed it because I haven't noticed any loss of cutting ability.Quote:
Originally Posted by K. McEuen
I will change the blade today; I don't want any more permanent cuts in my very expensive Olfa rotating mat.
I lent my mat to a friend and got it back with a deep crease in it. Had read that using a nylon scrubby would remove any hidden threads and let the mat heal, It worked! I was stunned, but now have a scrubby in my quilt supplies. I used one of the crochet kitchen scrubbers, but I'd assume the ones for a bath would work as well.
I've also read that if you put them in the bathtub with soapy water and scrub then dry and lie flat they will 'heal'. I think Karen's idea of the blade change is great! I was cutting something today and kept going back and forth over a spot that just wouldn't cut right . . . YUP, you got it - there was something pinned to the fabric and I was trying to cut through the pin. There goes another blade!
I'm stunned too! You and Karen are right: almost microscopic threads in the cut. The nylon scrubby (being an MM (Mere Male) I had to Google that! :)) got the bits out.Quote:
Originally Posted by starlover
Thank you, folks. :icon_bigsmile:
Adding the scrubby info to my tips!! My mat is really getting up there in age and needs a good scrub!!
It's completely healed now! I checked it with a magnifying glass and can't find where the scratch was.
Judy, I did use a teeny amount of water with the scrubby (I used a bath/shower one - thankfully my daughter is here for the holidays and was asleep when I used it). I don't know if that was the right thing to do or whether it not it helped.
If I seem excited it's because I am. :) I don't like damaged things.
I learned something today. Great information being shared here.
Me too! I have a couple of cuts that didn't heal and I just thought it was from using it so much. I am going to try the nylon scrubbie and see what happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by HandsomeRyan
Thanks for the great info!
Wow, glad you posted this question. I never knew about the nylon scrubby.
Awesome info! I had never heard of using a scrubby!! Told my wife and we now have a scrub date with all our mats!! New year scrub time!!:icon_heh:
I'll have to try this; my one and only mat is about 9 years old and has never been cleaned. Realistically, how long would you expect it to last, assuming you use it often? Mine hasn't gotten a LOT of use until the past 2 or 3 years.
Interesting comments re: the mats. I've never done anything with mine, other than vacuum or wipe off the dust or small fabric pcs. I never knew there was a way to help it heal. Thanks for the tips. Just not sure I want to get my mat wet. I'm in the middle of a big project. JCY
I used a dry scrubber on mine and it worked just fine. :)
Hi, I clean my cutting mat with the nylon scrubby after cutting each project & my mat is years old with no cut marks. I also change my blade in the Olaf after cutting each project. Then use the used blade in a separate (marked) cutter for paper & batting.
I think a bunch of stores are going to have an unexpected run on nylon scrubbies ;)