Cutting Mats for Needlework |
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--------------- From: Tara Dewdney I have done mat cutting before (x was a wedding photographer, I did the framing, he demanded the mat cutter, LOL, I took the videos and instruction manuals).
There are some rather good mat cutting systems (be prepared to pay about 150-200). Seriously, you can get the 40-70 systems but the ruler is loose, and you need a really steady hand. Alto was pretty good, but I have seen a
nicer system (foreget name for now) for about the same cost (smoother measuring system, and more accurate).
A couple of real tricks if you really want to go for mat cutting (especially on the cheap as you get no manuals):
1. Cut all your straight lines from the back of the mat board (this makes a cleaner cut on the paper cover on the top)
2. At least by a beveled cutter, a little hand held cutter that already fixes the blade on an angle (std is 45° for straight lines, 60° for curves and circles.
3. Mat board can be picked up at any Art supply store (you probably have one close and not know it), hehehe, so can mat cutters.
4. Draw before you cut (so you know where to start, stop, etc). See why you do it form the back ;-) Use permanent pen (others may smudge and get on the front.
5. Your __ and | cuts need to cross over about 1/16 of an inch looking a lot like + (this comes with practice).
6. Wash your hands before you start (oil really shows up on mat board)
7. If you forget 6 a lot, or use pencil in 4, Buy a White Staeddler (sp) eraser. It does wonders at fixing up mistakes.
8. Practice, practice, practice (trust me, your first attempt my make you wonder why you started). ;-)
9. Reuse. If you are cutting a mat that the hole is 14", then use that middle piece for another smaller work.
10. Have fun.
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From: Kelly Borden Mine is by a company called Leichtung. They're a woodworking suppy company, but also sell some other cool stuff - email me privately and I can look up their phone no. The math for basic single mats is pretty easy. Double mats get a bit more complicated, but if you think things through before you start to cut and remember that you are working from the back, you'll do ok.
If you go to a round/oval cutter be careful. The only ones I've seen at shows are ones that use templates - these don't give you the flexability you need for stuff like needlework. Find one that is cam action and has a good variety of sizes. The one DH got for me has the widest range of sizes of any that I've seen. He got mine at a local craft shop, but I've seen them on sale fairly often in the Dick Blick (artist supply) catalog.
Dick Blick Art Materials
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Alto's Matting and Framing Articles Directory
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