To cut straight on a cutting mat, you can use the grid lines printed on the mat itself or the lines on your ruler as guides.
Cutting accurately on a self-healing cutting mat is essential for many crafts, especially sewing and quilting. The mat provides a stable surface and, importantly, visual guides to help you achieve precise, straight lines. Based on techniques commonly used, including the method mentioned in the reference, you can effectively cut straight edges.
Using the Cutting Mat's Grid Lines
One primary method involves leveraging the grid lines that are typically printed on self-healing cutting mats.
- Pick a Line: As the reference states, you "Pick a line on our mat. And cut a straight edge."
- Align Your Material: Place your fabric or material onto the cutting mat, aligning one edge or a marking point with a specific grid line on the mat. This line becomes your guide.
- Position Your Ruler: Place a clear acrylic ruler (often used with rotary cutters) along the desired cutting line, ensuring it is parallel to the chosen grid line on the mat and firmly holding down the material. The ruler acts as a guide for your cutting tool.
- Make the Cut: Using a sharp blade (like a rotary cutter for fabric or a craft knife for paper), guide the tool along the edge of the ruler, keeping steady pressure and ensuring the tool stays flush against the ruler's edge.
Using Your Ruler's Lines
Alternatively, you can rely more heavily on the markings on your ruler, especially when cutting material that might not align perfectly with the mat's grid initially.
- Align Ruler on Material: You can "line up a line on our ruler on our fabric. Top and bottom." This means aligning a specific measurement or grid line on your ruler with points marked on your material, or aligning the ruler's edge parallel to a marked line on your material.
- Ensure Straightness: Double-check that the ruler is positioned correctly across the material to achieve a straight line. The mat still provides the protective surface underneath.
- Cut Along Ruler: As with the previous method, use your cutting tool to carefully cut along the side of the ruler, using it as a straight edge guide.
By utilizing either the grid lines on your cutting mat or the lines on your ruler, you create a clear path for your cutting tool, ensuring a straight and accurate cut. Always ensure your blade is sharp and you apply consistent pressure for the best results.
