From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
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Rotary Cutting Mats

Fabric is cut on a special rotary mat. The mats are slightly rough to help grip the fabric, and they're made of a material that protects the rotary blade and keeps it from becoming dull too quickly.

Most rotary mats are self-healing, meaning that any nicks the blade leaves as is passes over the mat are not permanent. Some mats are reversible, with a dark and a light side that lets you choose a color that contrasts with the fabric you are cutting.

Most rotary mats are marked with a grid, which provides a good general guide to fabric placement but is not accurate enough to measure strips for cutting--you'll need a rotary ruler for that task.

Purchase the largest mat you can afford that fits your work area, because large mats make it much easier to cut fabric into strips.

Because they warp easily, keep your rotary mats out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.