Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
My mom bought me this tool from QVC and I didn't like it. I thought it took longer for me to make the mats than just eyeballing it. Lots of people love it, though. I seem to do just fine with just eyeballing it.
Perfect Layers is a MUST have! I love mine and use it ALL the time! If you can cut along an edge, you can use it! Just takes some practice. You'll get perfectly straight, even edges around all your images.
I really think it's a must! If you have a demo who has one, ask her to try hers. I'm a demo, so I'm partial, but I really think it's a great tool. I've sold many to many happy customers!
Location: In my stamp room getting ink on my fingers!
Posts: 5,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I absolutely love my perfect layers tool. If your demo has it, have her show it to you (so you can try it out to see if you like it). It makes matting cards effortless.
I feel so much more confident when I use Perfect Layers. I really like how easy it is to use. I use the Creative Memories mat for it, though mine did come with one.
I love mine! I love getting that perfect, even mat. A friend of mine has two - one to leave at home and one always packed so she doesn't forget it when she goes to crops.
__________________ The only thing better than a good friend is a good friend with a bag of M&Ms.
Thanks so much for the testimonials!
I live in the UK, so no chance of trying one out first (my sister (in Ohio) sent me an idea book to order from for Christmas).
Does the Perfect Layers come with instructions, or, if not, is it easy to figure out?
It is very easy to use. Once you have the top layer adhered to the next layer all you do is position the layer tool against the edge of the top layer and cut. There are ledges on the layer tool that hold against the raised edge of the first layer. I am not explaining this very well but they are really easy to use. I bought a mat and rotary cutter and I do layers all the time now.
__________________ Debbie
Willie is a Reserve National Champion! Reinsmanship Lady to drive @ Haflinger National Show 2009
I love mine!!! Don't make a card anymore without it. I was just going through all my cards to photograph so I can finally start a gallery and the ones I made without this tool eyeballing are all off. i thought they look fine till I started getting "perfect" layers everytime.
I had mine for months and did not use it. However, when I finally dusted it off and used it, I wondered how I got along without it! Perfect Layers is easy to use and quickto figure out how to use. By all means - make the investment!
I bought mine a few months ago, opened the package, couldn't figure it out and put it back on the shelf. After reading this thread, maybe I better get it back out and take another look at it. After reading what Jacobsmeemaw said, I think I was using it wrong. Thanks for the thread and help.
I have this tool and use it frequently. However, I do find that I have some difficulty with more than two layers. The ruler has tendency to slip when it's raised up by the first couple layers. Perhaps I just need more practice. Maybe I could just do two separately and then adhere them.
I couldn't live without my PL tool! I can usually eyeball pretty well, but with the PL tool, it just goes SO much faster. And the results are GUARATEED every time. ;)
As for matting multiple layers, this is what I've found to work well: Position the PL up against the paper you're matting, but when holding the PL in place and getting ready to cut, just hold the ruler (pressing down) closer to the cutting edge rather than in the center of the ruler like you normally would. This helps that lip to really catch your paper better and help keep it from slipping. Standing while cutting also helps sometimes. HTH
I'm still confused on how to use it? What is everyone using to cut the paper with? Hobby Blades? It comes with two ruler right? Why? Please explain....
I guess my experience as a picture framer makes me a little bias but I personally don't have this on my wish list....and I don't eye ball my mats :( I do however, make perfect mats (because of my framing experience) It's easy really. If your card front is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and you want it showing, say 1/8" under your "mat" you just cut your largest "mat" at 4 x 5 1/4 (which means you are making your mat 1/4" smaller than the original card size.) Another mat means cutting your next piece short again by whatever amount you want showing.
Ok that sounds confusing I suppose but it isnt really. If you want say 1/4" of bottom mat (card) showing you need to actually cut your cardstock 1/2" smaller than the bottom card (1/4" for both sides of the square) When you center these card pieces on top of each other you'll have 1/4" of the bottom piece showing all the way around.
Ok...I didnt make it sound very simple...maybe that tool IS the way to go...LOL...
Both my DDs have it & told me it is a must have so I ordered it. (My oldest is my demo who lives in another state) Imagine my dissapointment when I got in the ruler part but no cutter! :( I asked her if I could just use any cutter but no, it HAD to be the SU one ;) (I think she had not met her quota :mrgreen: ) Anyway, I hope this helps!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pink Stamper
I'm still confused on how to use it? What is everyone using to cut the paper with? Hobby Blades? It comes with two ruler right? Why? Please explain....
I must be really low tech cause I'm not quite getting it. I'll have to look it up and see it then maybe I'll understand. I put my two pieces of card stock together (not attached), then I pull the top piece down diagonally until I like it and then put two marks on the larger piece and cut it then stick them together. I'm sure it's not perfect but perfect just isn't me. I'll have to look at PL though....sounds interesting.
It isn't the cutting of the mats that's difficult but the even adhering of them. Most people can measure and cut, but we fail when attempting to stick them evenly on all sides. With the Perfect Layers, it is exact every time. Once you get the PL out of your drawer........you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
I would also add: don't get crazy adhering the layers together before you cut. I am an adhesive addict; I like things stuck down all the way to the corners. However when I do this, sometimes since the two layers are pressed together so closely, the ruler part doesn't grip the top layer well. It's not a big deal now; I just don't flatten my paper so much. The ruler needs a little height to grab onto, is all.
I say save your money. I've been making cards for about 2yrs now and have lived without it. Heres what I do-
working from the top down- cut my image to whatever size I want it to be. Cut the underneath layer 1/4 in longer length, and 1/4 in bigger in height- this will give you a nice 1/8 in border round your edge when you lay the image on top.
working from the bottom up? cut the pieces 1/4 in smaller that the layer on the bottom
I do use my for double matting, esp scrapbooking. However, I cheat a lot and use my cutter- I attach my papers together and then line top layer to plastic edge of cutter then just use cutter to cut off excess off bottom.
I purchased my through QVC and love it. I use it everytime I scrapbook and make cards. It is a must have tool. Give yourself a little time to get used to using it correctly. Once you get the hang of it, you'll love it!
I purchased my through QVC and love it. I use it everytime I scrapbook and make cards. It is a must have tool. Give yourself a little time to get used to using it correctly. Once you get the hang of it, you'll love it!
I got mine years ago and use it on almost every single project I do....I would have to say that I am a layering addict....layering is the easiest way to add depth and texture to anything IMO...
I love mine! ... especially for making nice clean 1/16" mats. I've done it eyeballing, I've done the measuring thing, I've used my paper trimmer to make mats ... but when I really want it to look perfect, I use my Perfect Layers. It's also nice because I can cut the cardstock however I want (even non-rectangular) and I don't have to try and add 1/8" onto some other fraction! I just use it and be done! (makes it great for scrapbooking cropped pics).
Well, I thought this tool was a big joke until I read this thread. I usually eyeball and think I do a pretty good job. But then I look back and I don't always adhere the top layer centered on the next layer. So, it sounds like this tool will help me with that because you adhere the layer before you cut.
I too have been wondering about purchasing it. No, it is not hard to make mats with a good paper cutter, especially if you just add or subtract an eigth of an inch. What I have been thinking of is for cutting matted windows and getting them perfect...does it work really well for that?
I too have been wondering about purchasing it. No, it is not hard to make mats with a good paper cutter, especially if you just add or subtract an eigth of an inch. What I have been thinking of is for cutting matted windows and getting them perfect...does it work really well for that?
LOL! I wish I could answer. I used the darn thing once and haven't been compelled to use it again . . . yet anyway . . . so many folks swear by it, so I got it, but, it just seems like more work to me. I can do it so much faster with a good paper trimmer, and eyeballing. I've done that for so many years, my hubby is amazed at how I can look at something and tell him if it's 1/8" or a 1/4" gap just by eyeballing.
I think it's probably a wise investment for anyone who CANNOT do mat layers by eyeballing with a good paper trimmer.
For someone who can, their $20 might be better suited to some other tool?
Just my .02 . . . ;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I'm an eyeballer too. This comes from 20-some years of doing paste-ups for school newsletters before computer programs did everything for you...lol! I can "squint" just a little and get things pretty much centered or lined up. I cut my smallest image first, then lay it on top of another piece of paper and just trim it to the size mat I want, then on to the next mat if I want 3 layers. They may not all be a perfect 1/8 inch, give or take a smigen, but the final card looks fine!
I guess my experience as a picture framer makes me a little bias but I personally don't have this on my wish list....and I don't eye ball my mats :( I do however, make perfect mats (because of my framing experience) It's easy really. If your card front is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and you want it showing, say 1/8" under your "mat" you just cut your largest "mat" at 4 x 5 1/4 (which means you are making your mat 1/4" smaller than the original card size.) Another mat means cutting your next piece short again by whatever amount you want showing.
Ok that sounds confusing I suppose but it isnt really. If you want say 1/4" of bottom mat (card) showing you need to actually cut your cardstock 1/2" smaller than the bottom card (1/4" for both sides of the square) When you center these card pieces on top of each other you'll have 1/4" of the bottom piece showing all the way around.
Ok...I didnt make it sound very simple...maybe that tool IS the way to go...LOL...
In theory this is easy, however, in practice it is more difficult to accomplish. To achieve a perfect mat one needs to be sure the pieces have been cut near perfectly to size. That is an unlikely event with the cutters/trimmers that are on the market today, with the exception of the Genesis Trimmer IMO. Since I haven't shelled out the money for the Genesis yet, I find that the perfect layers is a decently priced substitute that helps me to make layers more straight and more even. This is particularly important to me in my scrapbooking.
__________________ Stephanie King My blog - Paper Crafting & Engineering Did I meet you on the Stamping Cruise with Emily, Gina K, and Nichole?
I say save your money. I've been making cards for about 2yrs now and have lived without it. Heres what I do-
working from the top down- cut my image to whatever size I want it to be. Cut the underneath layer 1/4 in longer length, and 1/4 in bigger in height- this will give you a nice 1/8 in border round your edge when you lay the image on top.
working from the bottom up? cut the pieces 1/4 in smaller that the layer on the bottom
I totally agree. If you measure the size of paper, it makes it super easy, and you can save the $$!
__________________ Jessica Mommy to Brooklyn (Dec 25/06), Tyson (Feb 1/09) & Trent (Feb28/12) My Gallery
I've had my Perfect Layers ever since QVC first started hawking them on TV and absolutely love it. It is the one tool for scrapbooking and card making that I would not want to be without.
I totally agree. If you measure the size of paper, it makes it super easy, and you can save the $$!
I agree, but I also agree with Stampinchicago that adhering the layers evenly is a bit of a trick. I figure that since these are handmade pieces, they don't have to have machine-made precision. At least that's my justification!
__________________ Sharon RAK group member And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus... Col. 3:17
Hmmm...that reminds me that I actually have one of these... Buried at the bottom of my tote.
I need to pull it out and actually try to use it. When I first got it I couldn't find my Xacto knife and refused to buy yet another one (this was the 2nd or 3rd one I had bought because I kept misplacing them). Eventually I forgot about it and now I either eyeball the layer or cut the mat either with a 1/8 or 1/4" allowance around.
I finally did find my xacto, and have it safely stored where I can find it! ;)
__________________ Melanie "Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry."
My Gallery My BLOG
Should I purchase Perfect Layers?
