How to Cut Fabric When You Only Have a Small Cutting Mat

Do you have a small sewing space? Or maybe your only cutting mat is a teeny-tiny one and you’re wondering how on earth you’re supposed to cut big pieces of fabric on it?

Even I sometimes work in a small space when filming videos for my Quilt With Kim YouTube channel, so I know exactly how tricky it feels at first. But don’t worry; with a few simple tricks, you can cut big fabric pieces on a small mat with confidence.

Here’s How (you can scroll down to watch the video)

Step 1: Fold Your Fabric (and Fold Again)

When fabric comes off the bolt, it’s already folded in half. Quilting cotton is usually 42–44” wide, so that fold gives you about 21–22”.

Here’s the trick: Fold it in half again.

This double fold makes the fabric more manageable and gets it closer to the size of your small cutting mat.

Tip: Make sure the selvedges and folds are as straight as possible. Don’t worry if the selvedge edge looks a bit wibbly – that’s normal!

Step 2: Switch Your Mat to Portrait

If you turn your small mat so it’s vertical (portrait) instead of horizontal (landscape), your folded fabric will magically fit on top.

This gives you just enough room to square off an edge and start cutting strips.

Step 3: Cut Your First Straight Edge

The golden rule of cutting:

The fabric you want to keep must be underneath the ruler.

Line up your ruler on the edge of the fabric, make your first cut to straighten everything up, and remove that uneven edge.

Step 4: Cut Strips, Then Sub-Cut

Once you’ve got that clean edge, rotate your mat so it’s comfortable for you to cut strips.

For example:

• Cut a 3” strip (or whatever you need).
• Turn your mat sideways again and “sub-cut” that strip into squares or smaller pieces.

You do not need to cut a giant full strip all at once: folding keeps things neat and safe.

A Quick Note on Safety

Hold your ruler firmly, take your time, and make sure your rotary cutter guard is back on as soon as you finish each cut.

And if a furry friend decides to “help,” be extra careful where their tail is!

Final Words

So even if you have the tiniest cutting mat, you can still cut quilting fabric beautifully. Folding your fabric is the secret.

And if you’re ready to invest in a larger mat later on, I’ve got a blog post on how to choose the best size cutting mat for quilting.

You Might Also Like To Read:

Which Cutting Mat is Best for Quilting?

Why You Shouldn’t Use a Cutting Mat for Measuring

Happy cutting (no matter your space!),

Kim x