Where to buy cutting mat/grid and best fabric scissors?

[spikemomma]

Help me oh wise ones! I want decent stuff but not for too many pennies!

I always go to John lewis for these things. I havent found anywhere that can beat them on quality or specialist advice.

Sadly, JLP is not what it was and has been reducing the level and content of its sewing, wool and haberdashery departments... they are now more about kits than real sewing.

For mats and rotary cutters and wheels, use Fiskars you can get them at any good haberdashers or fabric shop or else take a look online, places like The Quilt room are really good. As to scissors, buy the best you can afford... cheap just don't cut it!

Try Creative Grids I have got a lot of my stuff from them either mail order or at shows. They are generally very reasonable and have a big selection and they do starter packs which save a bit of money (about £13 for the A3 set)

I have 2 rotary cutters. I have a 45mm Fiskars rotrary cutter which I have had for ages. They were very popular 15+ years ago when I got it and you could get Fiskar blades anywhere. Now they are more difficult to find and I have to use other brands. It isn't really a problem though. My other one is a Olfa 28mm cutter which my tutor for my City and Guilds patchwork and quilting course recommended. She said that a small blade offers more control. She is right for fiddly stuff. I don't think a small blade would be good if you were making bigger stuff like curtains though. Olfa is very easy to get hold of.

Fiskar fabric scissors are good but quite expensive.

I always get from hobby craft or singer.You can also try amazon or ebay

I bought A1 size (62x45cm ??) cutting mats from Rymans ay £8 each, I bought one at first as i was sure that as they are so much cheaper than any I'd looked at, they can't be the same, they ARE the same, so I went back & bought enough to cover my table & I'm now using my wheel for cutting out dress patterns again, so pleased, I love them