Is a cutting mat really helpful?

[willow5]

Is there anything else I should get that's going to be handy or just make stuff easier? What couldn't you do with out?

[Nelle]

Rotary cutters are so fun. I think sometimes the most important sewing essential is a place for everything...I misplace so much stuff...

[suse]

Yep - rotary cutter and mat - essential. Also, think about what size patterns you are likely to be cutting - if you are only doing small things like bibs etc, then a smaller mat is OK. If you plan to do larger pattern pieces, a large mat helps (I'm lazy and don't bother marking out my patterns, I put the pattern piece onto the fabric then cut around it, so a larger mat helps). If you have fiddly pieces or pieces with tight curves, a scalpel style cutter is also a good idea, rotary cutters don't do fine curves well.

Oh, and other essentials are good quality pins (Clover pins are the bomb - glass headed so you can iron them, and they also do fork pins which are amazing for accurate seam joining), and a retractable pen style marking chalk. Much finer lines = better accuracy.

ETA - does anyone know if they make ironing mats? Like cutting mats but for ironing. I hate padded ironing boards for pressing (and they take up too much space), I currently use a chopping board because it gets a cleaner line.