Sewing Question

[Crowen Grail]

I've noticed that many of you more advanced costumers use some sort of clear sheet with a grid on it, as Kai shows here:

What exactly is that, and why is it so helpful?

[Leda EmBorr]

My guess is that it helps you cut straight and provides a flat surface for it.

But I'm not the expert seamstress you're looking for... move along....

[Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi]

i think its a cutting board that you use a rotary cutter for, its like one o them pizza cutters for fabric

[Xana]

Yes, you are correct, it's a cutting board. I have one. I mean, my mom has one I swiped.

[JediKai]

It is a cardboard cutting board. The rotary cutters demand a plastic one and to buy one the size I have (45"x66") would be hugely expensive. I just use this cheap, cardboard one as a surface on which to cut as it's placed on the doublebed in my guest room. I sometimes use the grid and it also has various curves which I sometimes use to cut hems.

[Nova Darklighter]

If you use a rotary cutter on a cardboard cutting board, it will slice up the board & ruin the blade on the cutter. The rotary boards are a self healing type of rubber/lino surface, and are usually green with the same markings. I bought a couple several years ago, the larger one is about 24"X36" and was about $50 when I bought it, I think they've gone down a little since then, but not much. Watch out if you use the rotary cutters, they are very sharp, like razor edged, and can slip easily, and it's very bad to leave them sit w/o the blade cover up, I had 1 friend who forgot and required about 130 stiches in her hand and did quite a bit of nerve damage as well. They have their uses, are good for straight cuts, if you use a metal edge rule, they are very popular for quilting.