MAT CUTTERS.....
Are there any stitchers out there who cut their own mats for their completed cross stitch projects?
If so, which cutters are the best and which ones should be avoided? Any info is much appreciated.
Will be looking on the internet for different cutters, but there is nothing better than getting the knowledge from someone who has the experience with the tools....
Posted by: Bermuda on 11/28/15
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Bermuda, the only ones I saw were huge machine like things. Military bases had "craft shops", don't know if they still do, where one could do all sorts of stuff. DD and I looked into matting and framing once but when I saw the equipment I realized that it would not be for us. Mostly, I was worried about DD losing digits. She was in college and I was not taking any chances on her missing a semester due to an accident at the craft shop. You could also cut your glass and frames.

How about ready made mats? I'm sure that the equipment is much more sophisticated now and portable but it's not something I'd want to try. Too much precision involved.

Good luck finding and cutting!
by: Texas Stitcher on 11/28/15
I would find a frame shop and have them cut the matt you want... that is the cheapest way to go as a wall mounted cutter can be over a $1000...you can get a hand cutter but the trick is keeping straight lines...today most frame shops have computer cutters and can cut you a matt in minutes for a small cost....hobby lobby has a nice selection of matts that they will cut ..their prices aren't to bad..I use hobby lobby as I don't have a wall big enough any more to fit the cutter...custom frames the regular person can't order as most frame companies won't sell to people who don't have shops...
by: robertsgunshop5610 on 11/28/15
Thanks Texas,
I've been internet surfing to look at Mat cutters and while surfing found the type of stapler that shoots two different kind of staples (keeps the project, glass, and backing from falling out of the frame. Isn't real expensive. DH and I are looking over the mat cutters on the internet; Monday we are going to the Framing outlet I found here in town and see what their prices are like on everything: pre-made frames, different framing pieces for DIYers, spacers (which I'll buy if they are too expensive, mats, etc' I DO know I won't have them frame something; they're prices are high as expected. DH and I won't buy anything, including stapler and/or mat cutter, until we see what this place is like.
I'm hoping Syagel will browse through these chats since she does all her own mounting and framing of all her cross stitching work and she can give me advice.
by: Bermuda on 11/28/15
Good luck, Bermuda. I hope that you'll find all the supplies at reasonable prices. Be careful with the staplers. They can be dangerous. Do you have space for all the equipment? Even if you were to purchase the wall mounted mat cutter for $1000 you'd almost recoup that money with 6 or 7 projects. The shops that I have had items framed at charged an arm and a leg. I'm almost tempted to contact a frame shop in Montana and send all my stuff there. She was great. Our lives are getting more and more complicated. robertsgunshop makes some good points. Although I have to say that my experiences with Hobby Lobby were just plain awful. So was our Joann's, it closed several months ago.
I've been searching for fabric today from R&R Reproductions and could not find it. The pattern was published in 2005, maybe they no longer have it. It calls for 28 ct, all I could find was 30 ct. I hope that the pattern is correct. I ordered 28 ct from ECS, it's a different manufacturer and color and I hope that it will look okay. Heaven knows I don't need more fabric. The colors on the internet are so misleading, it's difficult when you have to substitute. I have too much invested in this hobby to give it up. Besides I love it. I gravitate to ever larger projects now.
jclifford did some framing too but she now rarely participates.
Oh, what will you do for glass or do you plan on using the mats to adjust the project to the size of the ready made frames?
by: Texas Stitcher on 11/28/15
You could check with art supply catalogs, such as Cheap Joes and Dick Blick. I have never had any troubles with my orders from either place. You can order frames and matts cut to your specifications. Lots of fun to browse through their catalogs!
by: themtrocklady on 11/28/15
them, what a great idea. Are you pleased with the colors of the mats. Do they match the project? Picking colors would take 20 or 30 minutes sometimes and then the frame......... The shopkeepers sometimes have very different taste than the customer. LOL
by: Texas Stitcher on 11/28/15
Pretty true to colors. You can buy the whole piece of Matt board, or have them cut it. Nice selection of moldings for frames too. Sometimes they run specials for nice savings. They carry everything including Matt cutters and spacers, etc. to finger paint!

Am I misspelling mat? Had Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner, including the wine.
by: themtrocklady on 11/28/15
I'll have to hide this news from DD. She thinks that she can do anything but is usually just interested in how it works, how to do it, etc. Then she gets started, makes a mess and promises to come back to finish it. She offered to frame my stuff but I am having second thoughts. I am more realistic.
Do you remember FEMO back in the mid '80ties? We had tons of that stuff ....... landfill is all I can say.
My closets are full and I don't have room to store another piece.
I plan on going through my cookbooks in the new year to free up space in a kitchen cabinet. I have five or six books by Ina Garten - she is all I need. I must have been crazy to buy all these books. Since I have my Kindle I rarely set foot into Barnes and Noble. I should cancel my membership.
by: Texas Stitcher on 11/28/15
Bermuda

I checked on line for mat cutters. I found Dick Blick Art Materials, dickblick.com, 1-800-828-4548. They sell different cutters and also have how-to videos.

Amazon.com sells cutters too.

Logan Graphics, (makers of mat cutters) logangraphics.com have how-to videos. They list different retailers which sell cutters including several stores in South Carolina.

I have a small mat cutter (hand size), but I haven't used it yet. It was in an Art Bin which was given to me a while ago.

Diana
by: Lady D on 11/29/15
There you go, Bermuda.

Diane, what a fountain of knowledge you are. I am saving all the info just in case.

I wanted to do stained glass once, an old hair stylist of mine, made beautiful things but his hands were all cut up. Sharp objects and I don't get along too well.

Is there a small angle to the mat cut or am I imagining it.
by: Texas Stitcher on 11/29/15