If you are an aspiring designer, sewer, or a fan of art and crafts, then self-healing cutting mats are essential. Large self-healing cutting mats can help you cut fabric or paper using rotary cutters or utility knives while protecting the surface from getting damaged.
Depending on your craft, there are also a ton of cool features that you can explore with self-healing cutting mats. They are ideal for any kind of hobbyist who loves to sew their own clothes or do arts and crafts.
So, what are the best large self-healing cutting mats for sewing? The best large self-healing mats do not leave large cuts in the surface, have decals that assist with measuring, last a long time, and are big and thick enough for whatever project you’re working on.
This article will tell you all about self-healing cutting mats and how you can select the best one for your sewing or craft corner.
Why Do You Need A Cutting Mat?
A cutting mat is used for various projects, such as sewing and art. When using a utility knife or a rotary cutter to cut paper or fabric, you will need a cutting mat.
Using a cutting mat will protect your worktable and help you avoid scratch marks, but it will also protect the blade from becoming dull faster.
In addition, cutting mats are usually designed with grid guides that are marked with certain measurements and designs. This helps you keep track of the exact cut and ensure straight and precise cuts for your work, which is especially important in making paper models and other crafts that require precision.
How Self-Healing Cutting Mats Work
Most cutting mats are made of durable materials such as rubber, vinyl, and plastic. There are two main types of cutting mats – hard-surface mats or soft-surface mats. Self-healing mats are usually soft surface mats.
Hard-surface mats are more durable and are designed to allow the blades to work without cutting into the mat.
Soft-surface mats are more flexible and are usually thinner than hard-surface mats. They allow the blades to sink into the mat, leaving small or invisible marks on the mat. Soft surface mats are more suitable for arts and crafts and especially sewing.
Self-healing mats are made of special materials that are designed to heal after being cut. They have an elastic surface that is made of thousands of small individual pieces of material tightly pressed together to appear solid.
Because of this construction, when you cut into the mat with a knife or rotary cutter, you are actually going in between the tiny pieces, not cutting into them. When you remove the blade, the pieces fall back into their original position, so you don’t see any marks on the surface of the cutting mat.
A self-healing cutting mark is especially friendly to the blade since your blade isn’t affected by the mat, keeping your blade sharp for longer. It also doesn’t affect the mat’s performance when providing a sturdy surface to cut your material using a rotary cutter or craft knife.
Things To Consider When Buying A Self-Healing Cutting Mat
If you are interested in buying a self-healing cutting mat that is suitable for your craft – whether it is sewing, model building, or other kinds of papercraft, let’s take a look at some important factors that can affect the mat performance.
Thickness
A thickness of at least 3mm (⅛ inch) is recommended, as they will provide better protection against scratches and will hold their shape better. If the mat is thinner than that, you can easily cut through it with a rotary knife.
It is important that the cutting mat has at least 3 plies. This type of mat provides a thick inner layer that prevents the mat from getting cut through. You can also get cutting mats that have 5 plies, which are a little bit sturdier and thicker.
Choosing the thickness of your mat depends on your particular material as well. Lightweight paper and fabric don’t take much effort to cut with a rotary cutter, but if you usually work with leather or cardboard, you may want to get something a bit sturdier to support cutting.
Size
Self-healing cutting mats come in a lot of sizes, so you can get very small mats for small papercraft projects or large cutting mats for cutting fabric.
For most people, the ideal size for a cutting mat is 24″ by 36″, which is ideal for most projects. This size is suitable if you want to cut fabric for clothing items, as it is big enough to host a large piece of fabric.
Some people tend to keep their mats on their workstation permanently, while others prefer to roll the mat up to store it when it is not in use. Whatever you prefer, you can get a good size cutting mat that suits your purpose.
Markings
Self-healing cutting mats are not only flat surfaces that you can use for cutting; they can also serve as guides for your material as well.
Having grids and measurements on a self-healing mat will help you get the most out of it. The measurements printed on the map allow you to see the angles and lengths clearly, which will assist with precise cutting.
Some self-healing cutting mats have markings on both sides, each with a different marking design to suit different purposes. These are referred to as ‘double-sided’ cutting mats, which offer more versatility for those who work with fabrics, leather, papers, and other types of crafts.
Best Large Self-Healing Cutting Mats
So what are the best large self-healing cutting mats on the market? Depending on your craft and the design of your sewing room, you may want to get one that is suitable for your purpose.
A lot of companies that specialize in sewing and craft supplies have developed their own self-healing cutting mat designs that can be useful for cutting fabric, leather, cardstock paper, and everything else.
Let’s take a look at some great options for self-healing cutting mats below.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Calibre Art Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat | 15 layers, sturdy yet flexible |
| 2. | Fiskars Craft Supplies: Self Healing Cutting Mat | Measurement grid on both sides |
| 3. | U.S. Art Supply Self Healing Double-Sided Cutting Mat | Patterns for sewing and quilting |
| 4. | Cricut Self Healing Cutting Mat | Non-slip base, measurement grid |
| 5. | QuiltCut Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat | 5 layers, curl/warp/crack resistant |
| 6. | ALVIN, GBM Series Professional Self-Healing Cutting Mat | Composit vinyl, easy to clean |
| 7. | WORKLION Large Self Healing PVC Cutting Mat | Double sided grid, PVC surface |
| 8. | Dahle Vantage Self-Healing Cutting Mat | 5-layer PVC, nonslip |
| 9. | Arteza Rotary Cutting Mat | Angle/measurement/grid decal |
| 10. | Anezus Self Healing Sewing Mat | 5-layer PVC, reliable and durable |
| 11. | KC GLOBAL A1 Self-Healing Cutting Mat | Durable, precise grid and patterns |
1. Calibre Art Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
The Calibre Art Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat has 15 layers of high-density material specially coated to prevent dulling rotary blades.
Cut marks will heal in seconds thanks to this sturdy yet flexible surface, which won’t warp or crack.
And thanks to the extra-thick construction, this is a lovely reversible mat that can provide a sturdy base for cutting with a rotary blade or craft knife.
Ideal for sewing quilt making, this product helps eliminate guesswork. One side is printed with inches and centimeters measurements, while the other side is a blank slate—perfect for quilters or anyone who likes to draw their own templates.
This mat is available in a few sizes, the largest being 24″ by 36″, which is enough to support most sewing and quilting patterns.
2. Fiskars Craft Supplies: Self Healing Cutting Mat
Fiskars Self-Healing Cutting Mat is sized for cutting full widths of fabric. This convenient design features clear measurements and grid patterns on both sides to guide your lines, with 30, 60, and 90-degree angles that make cutting patterns for sewing and quilting more convenient.
The self-healing surface ensures your cuts will be smooth and accurate, and the sturdy construction prevents any slipping and sliding on the table when you cut. You’ll appreciate how easy this tool is to use every time you sew!
The 24″ by 36″ size is perfect for larger projects. The self-healing cutting surface is a great feature that ensures the longevity of the mat, which will allow it to function well in your craft corner for a long time.
3. U.S. Art Supply Self Healing Double-Sided Cutting Mat
This cutting mat lets you get pro-quality, accurate cuts without damaging your table. The mat has a durable 5-ply construction and a 1/2″ grid with 1/8″ marks for precise alignment.
The mat is reversible, with convenient grid markings on each side. The grid design also has diagonal lines that can be used as a guide for cutting patterns for quilting or sewing.
This self-healing cutting mat is also impressive in size, as it comes in various sizes, with the biggest being 40″ by 80″. You can use the ruler markings along the edge to accurately measure and draw straight lines while cutting.
This cutting mat is great for all types of paper, fabrics, and other materials. It makes working with sharp blades and rotary cutters much simpler and more convenient, so you can always create the perfect cut for whatever project you’re working on.
4. Cricut Self Healing Cutting Mat
The Cricut Self-Healing Cutting Mat does more than protect your workspace– it makes cutting much easier! This Cricut cutting mat features a non-slip base and a smooth surface that helps prevent fabric snags and rips.
In addition, this mat is made with superior self-healing abilities, so it can withstand wear and tear when you cut fabrics, leather, paper, or other materials.
Ultra-easy-to-clean, the self-healing mat can be used on both sides and measures 24″ by 36″, so you have plenty of space to create any project you can imagine.
It features a wide 1-inch border on all sides with grid markings in 1, 1/2, and 1/4-inch increments, plus clear instructions printed on the mat. The wide border on each side makes it easy to read measurements while cutting, while the grid measurements make keeping your lines straight a breeze.
5. QuiltCut Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
QuiltCut is a self-healing rotary cutting mat that is perfect for the avid quilter that needs a sturdy, reliable cutting mat for all the quilting layers!
The QuiltCut cutting mat is a 3 millimeter thick, 5-layer construction that includes an industry-first InnovaQuilt grid layer that allows you to trace perfect lines every time and cut with your rotary cutter without snagging on the surface.
The self-healing finish reseals surface cuts. Thanks to the mat’s reliable construction, it can resist curling, warping, and cracking, which allows it to perform well after thousands of cuts.
6. ALVIN, GBM Series Professional Self-Healing Cutting Mat
The Alvin Professional Self-Healing Cutting Mat is an indispensable tool for any stickler for accuracy.
This mat is printed with guidelines for 45, 60, and 90-degree angles and comes with 0.5-inch grid lines to help you achieve precision when cutting fabric or other materials.
At 3 millimeters thick, this self-healing cutting mat will last through multiple uses and has composite vinyl construction that resists cuts from knives even as it smoothes down.
The mat has a reversible design for more versatility, offers tons of room for prep work, and is extremely easy to clean. There are a few sizes to choose from, the largest being 24″ by 36″, which is suitable for a variety of sewing projects.
7. WORKLION Large Self Healing PVC Cutting Mat
Constructed of 5 layers of soft PVC, the WorkLion Self-healing Cutting Mat ensures accuracy to help you construct highly precise garments in your sewing projects.
With 45°, 60°, and 90° bias lines, plus grid markings on both sides of the mat, you can reliably create highly clean, exact cuts with minimal issues.
The self-healing surface seals up any surface cuts to provide a continually smooth cutting surface for all your future projects, and it also protects your blade too!
The natural soft PVC surface slices knives and blades effortlessly, making it easy and smooth to cut through thicker materials. Accurate cutting lines are marked in a bright yellow, while grid lines also make it easy to mark measurements, providing a useful guide for all your projects.
8. Dahle Vantage Self-Healing Cutting Mat
The Dahle Vantage Self-Healing Mat is a unique mat for art projects, sewing, and quilting. It is an ideal surface for cutting fabric, paper, and other craft supplies because of its thickness and durability.
The self-healing mat is made of 5 layers of PVC sheets, creating a 1/8″ thick mat that provides resiliency to cut through even the thickest materials.
This mat features inch and metric printing as well as an angled trimming guide to ensure a precise straight cut with little effort. The nonslip surface offers sure footing and allows you to cut clean lines to ensure a professional finish for your projects.
9. Arteza Rotary Cutting Mat
This Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat is a premium cutting mat that has been specially manufactured to last longer & eliminate the common wear & tear of regular rotary cutting mats.
The special finish reseals after shallow cuts for durability, the nonglare surface allows you to see your fabric printed pattern clearly, and the various angle markings allow you to accurately cut your fabric to fit with various designs for sewing and quilting projects.
Measuring 18″ x 24″, this mat is perfect for most craft areas and allows you to conveniently create a surface to make sewing and crafting a more enjoyable experience.
10. Anezus Self Healing Sewing Mat
The Self Healing Mat is a 5-layer PVC material that is double-sided, featuring convenient markings so you can cut your fabric precisely and easily while protecting your table or desk surface from scratches.
This mat is double-sided, which means it is printed on both sides with convenient markings of various designs and angles to make crafting patterns fun and simple.
The innovative design has been developed to reduce damage to the fabric and to protect against snags, scratches, and tears. This reliable and durable mat is 24″ by 18″ in size, suitable for most craft tables and work surfaces.
11. KC GLOBAL A1 Self-Healing Cutting Mat
KC GLOBAL Self-Healing Cutting Mat is designed for clean and accurate cutting.
The precise cutting grid printed clearly on the surface enables easy and quick measuring, straight-line cutting, and simple templates and patterns.
This is a compact, 3 mm thin cutting mat that is strong, durable, and precise.
This self-healing mat is able to withstand all kinds of cutting techniques without getting butchered; this mat will instantly fix itself as you work away at cutting your patterns for your sewing or quilting projects.
Related Articles
Best Ironing Boards For Sewing
Must-Have Accessories For Sewing Machines
