How do you measure your fabric...by the mat or ruler?

When you are cutting your fabric, do you use the measurements on your ruler or the measurements on your mat? Just curious. I use the measurements on my mat.

It's according to what I'm cutting. Something small I'll use the ruler but if it's large I'll use the mat. I generally use the lines on the mat to make sure my material is straight before cutting.

I usually use the ruler and, like Shirley, I line the fabric up on the mat lines.

I use the mat more than the ruler.

It depends...I primarily use the ruler, but if I'm cutting small units from jelly roll strips I sometimes go by the mat lines. I also line up my fabric on the mat lines.

I use the ruler, I just can't get the hang of using the mat.

Usually the ruler. I heard or read somewhere to use the ruler because it is more precise. I usually line up my fabric on the mat, but pretty well always measure with the ruler.

I use my mat, most of the time. I bought the Shape Cut Ruler by June Tailor and I use that very often now.

I usually use the mat to measure, but also use the lines on the mat to make sure I'm squared up before cutting. Usually only use the ruler as a cutting edge; although have used the ruler to measure every now and then.

I use both when cutting out a pattern , but to measure for trimming and making sure my block is even i use my ruler.

I also use my ruler most of the time.
I use the mat to lay my fabric and straighten it but then go to the ruler to cut.
Just think the ruler is more precise for cutting my pattern pieces. (For some strange reason that doesn't stop me from making mistakes...I wonder why that is????) :)

I actually use both. I will line up my material on the mat line, make my measurement with my ruler to make sure I am looking at the right mat line for cutting and then use the mat line measurement to line up my ruler for cutting. It is kind of a measure twice cut once safety thing.

I always use my rulers to measure, I use the mat to line up my fabric so its straight.

I use both. The lines on the matte to make the fab straight (line up the salvage edge) and to line up my ruler/template on a straight line. Then I cut a bit off the edge of the folded fab with the ruler on the lines. After that... I use the lines on the matte to line and make straight my ruler.

I really never thought about it until I came across this question! I must use my rulers the most because sometimes I flip my mat to the other side and there are no lines on that side...maybe for longer or wider pieces I use the mat to line things up but probably not a lot...

When I'm cutting fabric, I use both...I match up the lines on the mat with the lines on the ruler and use the edge of the ruler to cut.

I also use the ruler but line up with the mat.