Good Morning, Quilters!
I LOVE the Martelli turn table cutting board!
Earlier this summer, I started a little portable project making Rose and Dot quilt blocks. (Read: Hand Applique for Outdoor Quilting). I decided to stitch them together with a 1-1/2 inch sashing and a border to create a bright table runner.
I like to start with background blocks that are bigger than the finished size because applique can distort the shape. Once the applique is complete, I trim the blocks to the desired size. Trimming blocks is time consuming because you have to pick up the blocks and trim each side.
Rotary Cutting Mats
Rotating cutting mats are perfect for trimming blocks. Place the ruler on top of the block and don’t move it!
Instead, rotate the mat!
I’ve tried rotating mats in the past and was very disappointed. The mats were not sturdy enough and they flexed too much.
The Martelli Turn Table is Very Sturdy
At BERNINA University I tested the Martelli turn table rotary cutting mat and was very impressed!
The Martelli turn table cutting board is very sturdy and cutting is easy!
The mat rotates extremely well!
Eureka!
I LOVE this mat!
The Martelli Turn table includes three pieces: the turntable, the cutting surface and an ironing surface. Great for travel!
The Rose and Dot Table Runner
I still have a little hand sewing to do, but the quilt quilt top is almost finished!
The backing and batting are cut and ready!
Now the fun part–machine quilting it!
Have YOU found a new product YOU love?
Have any of YOU tried the Martelli turn table?
What did YOU think?
Do YOU have a product YOU love?
We are always looking for the BEST products!
We’d LOVE to hear!
Happy Cutting!
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to Lori Kennedy Quilts. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori @ LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
PPS..This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, at no additional cost to you, I may receive a little “pin-money”. Thank you for supporting LKQ in this way!
22 comments
Anderson Marsh
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Vanessa
I’d love a round cutting mat to take to retreats where space is limited usually. The corners in the square ones became an issue when turning. The new product I love is the Stash ‘n Store by It’s Sew Emma to keep scissors, marking tools, seam rippers (ugh) neatly at your fingertips by your machine.
Chris Reeske
I just got The Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmers from New Leaf Stitches.com. They are for trimming Half Square Triangles. I usually don’t buy single use type items, but since so many quilt patterns and my own ideas include HSTs I went for it and I’m so glad I did. They do a great and fast job of squaring up the HST and have little slots on the side to cut off the ‘dog ears’.They come with 2 trimmers in the package, one for full inch and one for 1/2 inch HSTs.
Meylonie Schatz
I have the whole Martelli system. I’m still learning all of the ins and outs but LOVE that you can iron on the huge cutting mat and I really like the rotary cutters. They are built much more ergonomically I haven’t learned to use the tiltable table yet but will take time to work on that.. I also really like the rotatable mat.
gmadeb
I also have the Martelli rotating cutting mat, I love the concept and use the mat frequently. I have one issue with the mat. The ball bearings make the mat rotate too freely. Sometimes I feel like I don’t really have control as the mat tends to rotate as I push down to hold my ruler steady. It would be awesome if it were spring loaded in some way so that a slight pressure downward would lock the mat in place. I feel bad giving any kind of negative review as I think Martelli makes great products.
Leslie Schmidt
This is what I was wondering about. I would worry that it might take off on me. I’ll stick with my Olfas.
Lillian K
For those that are confused by the gridlines may I suggest you not use the grid as your cutting guide – , instead cut your fabric using your ruler markings. I often turn over my table size mats and use the non-gridded side. It may help you.
Suzanne
I bought a Martelli turntable a year or so ago and despite it’s quality, I’m probably one of the very few who didn’t like it. As someone else mentioned, the colors are distracting or perhaps there are just to many lines on it for me. My old eyes need a simpler, more monochromatic mat. Secondly, the ball-bearing rotation base is wonderfully smooth but since it’s an inch or two deep, I found it exceedingly awkward to use. It felt as though I was trying to cut in mid-air. Guess I’m just weird or old enough to be a bit stuck in my ways. So I’m back to my flat rotating Fiskars mat which works very well for me, and have donated the Martelli to our church quilting group.
Martelli makes wonderful products, this one just wasn’t for me.
Martha Cook
Thank you . Good to know. I bought one from a reputable company but boy was I so disappointed. Hate spending the money expecting a good item and it wasn’t. Flimsy and the two pieces did not stay in place.
Karen
I agree about the Martelli, I was amazed that the cutting surface was softer but better. For small pieces, the Sue Daley rotating mat is also nice. Then a quilter I know said she replaces her big mat every YEAR. Maybe my regular large mat is just worn out.
Tara Tarbet
I love the Sew-Secure cutting mat with magnetic ‘pins.’ It works with all the quilting rulers I have. Yay! No more slipping rulers or patterns!
Deb
Can you say more about the mat with magnetic pins?
Doreen
I also have the Martelli cutting mat. I might be the only one to have this complaint. I find the colors, especially the green, to be a distraction, making it difficult to see the edge of the fabric. I’d prefer fewer ruler marks and only one neutral color. I have told Martelli about this and suggested they make a second mat. I’m not sure they took me seriously. That aside, the mat works very well.
sunnysewsit
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has this same complaint! I don’t use the grid lines on any of my mats, and I agree that I find this to be a distraction.
Karen
Beautiful table runner! I have followed your links for the rose and dot quilt block but have not been able to locate it. Is it still available? Thanks!
Lillian K
I also have the Martelli cutting mat. It IS sturdy and uses ball bearings to create a smooth turning surface. I love it!
Joyce
I’ve been using the Crayola markers for a while now. I’m not much of a machine quilter, but these markers are such a help! I used to use frixion pens until I had problems with “ghost lines”. An article by a person from the company that makes these pens warns that there is still a chemical in the fabric even when the line disappears. That has to be removed with a solvent, soap and water won’t do the trick. I choose not to use solvents on my quilts. What’s better than washable markers designed to wash out off fabric!
Patty Adams
I also have a Martelli turntable. I love it too. Before that I had a square turntable and when I would try to turn it it would bump into me, sometimes jarring my fabric. The Amazon price is really a good price, it usually sells for $100. And the ironing mat with cover is handy.
Dottie k
The thick wool pressing mat is fabulous! You could say it presses both sides at the same time because it is good.
Vanessa Taylor
Love my wool pressing mat too!
Marcia
I have the Martelli round cutting set also and I love it! First used it to trim various size blocks for a quilt project, but now use for almost any smaller project. Take off the cutting mat and use the ironing board to press, easy
Now thinking of adding the wool press mat, should make it super!
Karen
Creative Grids Stripology ruler certainly helps me with accuracy & time, especially in cutting the small strips. I would really recommend it for those who treasure accuracy. Thank You.
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