why does Jenny do this?
06-23-2014, 09:50 PM
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 1,162
never had a problem when using my mat for measuring my quilts. I just try to stay consistent and not switch to different rulers when measuring.
06-24-2014, 12:00 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North-Central Indiana
Posts: 4,909
Maybe mats have improved. I just did a search here and found a long thread full of people who say they would never use the lines on their mat to measure. One even said EVERYONE will tell you to never use the lines on your mat. I have tried it and it wasn't accurate for me, so I'll stick with my rulers. I don't even notice the lines on the mat anymore.
06-24-2014, 02:47 AM
#36
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 71
An inch is an inch, no matter where it's measured. I think that the "difference" between rulers is actually due to the difference in how we are able to perceive the markings, not on whether the markings are accurate. Rulers have thickness, and the lines etched into them should be accurate on the top, or on the bottom, but not on a slant from bottom to top. (Sorry, that's hard to explain.) Many times I think it is more accurate to use the mat, whose surface is two-dimensional, rather than the rulers, which are 3-D. But it's not always as convenient to use the mat, since it doesn't have as many lines and it means moving the fabric more.
06-24-2014, 03:34 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 2,916
06-24-2014, 04:00 AM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Fairfield, OH
Posts: 3,694
I rarely use the lines on my mat, just out of habit. My first cutting mat didn't have lines on it so I never got into the habit of using them. I don't see why you can't use them as long as you check that they are accurate. Whatever works for you. Remember there are no quilt police:-)
06-24-2014, 04:55 AM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,866
I use both. Depends on how small and how accurate the pieces need to be. Sometimes the ruler just does better. The lines on a ruler are narrower and maybe make for better accuracy when cutting some pieces. But, let's face it, some of Jenny's techniques stink! She irons, not presses. She uses techniques that leave bias edges. However! The things she is demonstrating are not intricate or demanding of perfection that some patterns require. She is marketing her precuts and does things that work well with those and are fast and easy. Usually seams don't have to meet exactly like some designs do. She is having fun with what she does and is trying to spread that enthusiasm. I would not recommend her methods for the beginning quilter since she does "cut corners' on techniques. A more experienced quilter knows when to do that and when to do better. (Have you noticed she doesn't have a video on how to remove stitches? Most of her designs are pretty forgiving.)
Last edited by illinois; 06-24-2014 at 04:58 AM.
06-24-2014, 05:53 AM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 619
I think you'll hear different Quilt Police rules from different sources. I think today's mats are better marked, I've always used the marks on my mat and have seen tutorials from well known names that say use the marks on your mat.
I think if you are consistent for cutting a whole project, whether it be the marks on the mat or just your ruler you will have good results.
I think if you are consistent for cutting a whole project, whether it be the marks on the mat or just your ruler you will have good results.
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