Why I Switched to CutterPillar Quilting Tools
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’ve always loved good tools that make quilting easier. For years, I used Daylight products, mainly their lightboards. They worked fine, but honestly, I always felt limited. They had one or two solid items, but I wanted more options and flexibility. Then I tried the CutterPillar quilting tools…
That’s when I found the CutterPillar brand. And once I tried their products, I was hooked. CutterPillar makes tools that actually fit how quilters work—lightboards, cutting surfaces, and even rotating mats. They really thought about the quilting process from start to finish, which is something I hadn’t experienced before.
I liked them so much that I now use CutterPillar quilting tools every single time I do foundation paper piecing. They made me an affiliate, which means if you shop using my links, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you. And the best part? You can save 15% on their products with my code: NICOLEMOORE.
Let me walk you through what I’ve been using and why I recommend them.
I use affiliate links for products I truly love and recommend. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
CutterPillar Glow Ultra
The CutterPillar Glow Ultra Light board was the first CutterPillar product I tried, and it instantly became a favorite. It’s large, bright, and evenly lit across the whole surface, which makes it perfect for quilting projects.
As a quilter who does a lot of foundation paper piecing, this tool is a lifesaver. I can lay my paper pattern on the Glow Ultra and see every line crystal clear—no eye strain, no guessing. Compared to my old light board, the difference is night and day.
It’s also lightweight enough to move around my sewing space, but sturdy enough to stay put while I’m piecing. If you’ve ever squinted at faint lines or struggled with awkward lighting while working on FPP, this light board changes everything.
Tempered Glass Crafting Mat
The CutterPillar Tempered Glass Crafting Mat changed how I press while paper piecing. The tempered glass is strong, smooth, and heat-resistant, which makes it perfect for ironing small pieces right where I’m working. Instead of jumping up and down to a big ironing station, I can set my seam, press it flat, and keep moving.
Now, CutterPillar does say you can cut on this glass board, but I don’t use it that way. I stick to self-healing mats for rotary cutting. For me, this glass board is all about pressing during FPP projects. When I’m quilting with other techniques, I usually go back to my wool pressing mat. But when I’m paper piecing, the glass board is always on my table.
Swivel Rotating Cutting Mat
If you’ve ever trimmed a block and had to twist your fabric, ruler, and body just to get clean cuts, you’ll understand why this tool is so helpful. The swivel mat spins smoothly so I can trim one side, rotate the mat, and trim the next side without moving the block itself.
That means better accuracy and fewer mistakes. I’ve tried other rotating mats before, but most of them felt wobbly or flimsy. The CutterPillar swivel mat is sturdy, steady, and actually makes trimming easier instead of adding frustration.
This one gets used constantly in my sewing room, especially when I’m squaring up blocks.
How I Use Them Together
The magic really happens when I use these tools as a team. Here’s my workflow for foundation paper piecing:
- I start by placing my fabric and paper template on the CutterPillar Glow Classic lightboard so I can see the fabric and all the lines clearly.
- Next, I use the CutterPillar Tempered Glass Mat as a pressing surface. I can set my seams right there without leaving my station.
- Finally, when it’s time to trim, I place my project on the CutterPillar Swivel Mat on top of the light board. I can rotate the cutting surface which helps me cut more economically and efficiently.
That combination—light for visibility, glass for pressing, mats for trimming—has streamlined my paper piecing process. I’m not running back and forth between machines, pressing stations, and cutting tables. Everything I need is right in front of me.
Why I Recommend Them
I don’t recommend tools lightly. If something doesn’t earn its place in my sewing room, I won’t share it with you. But CutterPillar has more than earned its spot. Their tools are practical, durable, and designed with quilters in mind.
Here’s my quick breakdown:
- CutterPillar Glow Classic lightboard: My must-have for foundation paper piecing.
- CutterPillar Tempered Glass Mat: My pressing station during FPP (I don’t cut on it).
- CutterPillar Swivel Mat: My go-to for trimming blocks accurately.
Are they perfect? No tool is. But compared to what I was using before, CutterPillar gives me so much more flexibility and ease. And honestly, quilting is supposed to be fun. Having the right tools makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable.
Ready to Try Them?
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your quilting tools, I highly recommend giving CutterPillar a try. Here are the links to the ones I’ve been using:
And don’t forget to use coupon code NICOLEMOORE at checkout to save 15%.
I switched to CutterPillar, and now I can’t imagine quilting without them.
