It seems cutting mats are the answer. Or are they? The fabrics slip around and sometimes scoot away just as you are turning a curve or a corner, and you slice off way more than you intend. The weights need to be heavy enough that they don’t slide around. Which means they are quite big…and heavy, too. It’s a better solution than pinning, but not quite perfect.
I have found the perfect solution to the cut out problem. A magnetic cutting mat! Not the very expensive magnetic mats you can buy in the quilt shop, but the DIY version I bought at Princess Auto. (but check out the sources from Dr. Google) Apparently, these sheets are available from U-line, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and even Amazon! I cannot believe I found this sheet of metal so easily.
I bought the 24 x 48 size and some magnetic hooks that seemed pretty powerful. When I say powerful, they REALLY hold the fabric to the table. I was going to buy two mats and cover the whole table, but I decided bra pieces aren’t usually that big. I could move the steel sheet around if I needed to. I slid it onto my table and under my cutting mat. The thickness of the metal sheet does not in any way add to the thickness or depth of the table. I think the metal cut out sheet is all of 1/32″ thick.
See how I kept it away from the mat edge. I don’t want it catching on any fabrics. It is easy to move in any case. I could have moved it right to the edge of the table, and I might do that because I tend to cut out fabrics close to the edge.
Now for the test. Will the magnets stay fast to the steel sheet through not just the paper pattern, but also two layers of power net, and my thick cutting mat? Yes, it did!! In fact, it worked like a charm (or as my friend Margaret would say, worked like a hot damn!)
I am so glad I bought the magnets with the hooks on them, so they will be easy to pick up and move after I cut out the pieces. The steel sheet 24 x 48″ cost 29.99 CAD, and the magnetic hooks were 7.99 for two. Not a bad price for something so useful and convenient! As i said, this is the easiest way to cut out your bra pieces at home!
OK, that’s it for today. I have a new bra to cut out on my new cutting table set-up. Ta-tas for now! Do consider joining my Facebook group Beverly Johnson’s Bra-making Support Group, where our group of passionate, caring bra-makers love to share their makes and help with fitting challenges.
