How to Fix a Warped Cutting Mat

By National Sewing Circle Editors

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NSC Question
Help! My cutting mat is buckled up and warped on one side now when it got accidentally too close to some heat. I paid $50 for this mat. I laid some heavy old machines on it for days to see if it would force the mat to return to its original flat surface, but no go. What should I do? Submitted by Anna  
NSC Answer
Oh no! Not what you want to have happen to your expensive cutting mats! But I think there is a solution here—this might seem counter-intuitive, but one way to get a mat to lay flat again is to add back a little heat. This will soften it down and then you can try setting something heavy on it to get it to retain its flat surface. I’m not sure where you live, but if you are in a sunny area, you can lay the mat out on a porch or deck to warm for an afternoon and then stack something heavy on it to get it to lay flat again. Good luck! Ashley Related links: All About Cutting Mats How to Care for Cutting Mats (links to our sister site, National Quilters Circle)
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31 Responses to “How to Fix a Warped Cutting Mat”

  1. Robin

    Hello! How do I make nice, neat joins when sewing on double-fold bias tape?

  2. Joni Lindhorst

    I have a large cutting mat that is warped and couldn't find a way to fix it. Now I do, and I thank everyone for their way to do it. Thanks you all, Thank you all!!!!!

  3. Cheryl

    This works! I've done it to an old, warped mat!

  4. Jo

    I do live in NM and had it happen to me. I took my mat out to the driveway and placed it on top of a poster board then put another poster board on top then put a large piece of metal sheeting on top. Within a couple of minutes my problem was fixed.

  5. Dorothy

    Need sewing tips

  6. Christina Bennett

    This is the information that I needed. Thank you. Chrissy Bennett

  7. Deborah Bullock

    In regards to warped cutting mat, try heating using a hair dryer to soften then place something heavy on it very quickly. (May want to have an assistant so you can move quicker)

  8. Sherry

    Reply about rescuing a warped cutting mat. Heat is the way to go. I have a friend who had a frame shop and she had a large mounting press that she used for posters and other related items. She used a lower heat, but put the mat in it and closed the lid (causing some pressure) and let it heat for awhile. When she opened the lid it was perfectly smooth and flat.

  9. Donna Tuttle

    I have a cutting mat that has a crack in it. Is there anything I can do to fix it or help it? Thanks

  10. Judith Cranford

    Want to try flattening my cutting boards....?thanks for suggestions..Judy