got my mat a few days ago but haven't been able to work with it yet. I am looking forward to it though. Just waiting for cake that needs fondant
They were excellent to deal with and frankly think they have gone above and beyond answering questions here on CC. I like good customer service
Can't wait to take some of their classes too.

I ordered my last Tuesday. Still waiting to receive it. So excited!!!! I was in Awe of the video!

Please remember that business CANNOT be conducted in the forums, so let's keep strictly to the topic.

I used my mat for the first time today, and my review is mixed. Here's what I liked:

- I was able to roll out my fondant in advance of the time I needed it for the cake and it stayed moist between the vinyl layers.
- I didn't need any cornstarch which considerably cut down on my clean up time.
- I used a small disc of white fondant in the middle of my grey fondant, because I didn't roll enough out. Sweetwise shows this in her video and it worked really well.
- I was able to roll my fondant thinner than normal, which saves the use of fondant and I believe it will have a better mouth-feel on the cake.
- I was able to effectively position my fondant on the cake once it was rolled out. This used to be difficult for me, and the mat made it much easier.

Here's what I disliked:
- I found it near impossible to lay the top layer of vinyl completely flat on top of the fondant and the bottom layer of vinyl. This led to A LOT of pock marks, and other undesirable effects on the fondant. After I rolled it completely on the mat, I had to pull the top layer off and give it a couple rolls with the rolling pin to smooth it out.
- I found it equally difficult to roll it back up to put it back into the tube. I kept crinkling it, and rippling it and that worried me to store it that way. Currently I have it flat on my dining room table, because I needed a break from trying to roll it.
- The fondant came off reasonably well from the mat, but it wasn't as smooth for me as is shown in the video. My mat kept crinkling and rippling around the edges, which made it hard to pull it off in one continuous motion.
- Because no cornstarch was used, it was difficult for me to smooth the fondant while on the cake, without tearing the fondant with the fondant smoother. This is not a mat issue, but rather a general observation.

I guess overall I like the product, but I think there is a definite learning curve like with any new cake tool. I guess I was expecting to be a pro at it from the beginning because the Youtube video makes it look so easy. Unfortunately, I think it takes a lot of practice.

I agree. There is a learning curve. Don't get discouraged though. I think it will be worth it to practice so we can eventually handle it like the video. I'm looking forward to that, but am still enjoying many of the benefits while practicing.

Just stopped by Sweetwise yesterday to pick up The Mat. I am in Nashville this week for business and stopped by. And wow is that store awesome. It's huge and the staff was really sweet. Since I'm traveling I couldn't buy some of the stuff I really wanted to try without checking a bag or worse but I got my Mat, some stuff for gumpaste flowers and a PME spray I hope I can get on through TSA.

iluvpeeks, I did check out there rolling pins. They had 4 options.
1 large wooden rolling pin without handles (think the wilton one but a bit thicker and a bit longer), a tapered wooden rolling pin and a SilPin. I checked them for weight and honestly the wilton plastic one seemed heavier than the wooden one. The Sil one for me was the size and weight of a regular rolling pin for your kitchen. Nothing different that what I already have. The best one I've seen demo'd is that large silver one sugar shack users and she mentions that it's really heavy that's why she likes it. I'm sure if you PMd her, she can tell you exactly what kind of rolling pin it is.

Now I can't wait to get home and try out The Mat.

I also purchased the mat. I think I used to much shortening to "season ' it. My fondant was really greasy. So, I wash it and rinsed it in hot water. Do you think it needs re-seasoning. So far, I'm not impressed with it. Maybe I'm just not using it properly. Help!!!

I didn't season my mat (didnt feel like digging the crisco out), and it worked fine. No pock marks either. I use Satin Ice Fondant.

I emailed the company about having trouble with poc marks. They emailed me last night me to let me know they put up new video on their youtube channel called "troubleshooting and pock marks no more" I was soooo excited I just had to try right away. Their suggestion worked perfectly!

Thanks for the heads up on their new video! I wasn't having any problems but I did like how she showed the difference between a new set and a set that has been broken in.

I finally got a chance to try out my Mat. It took a little getting used to. As soon as I unrolled it I was getting shocked left and right and the hair on my arms was standing straight up from the static. LOL! It definitely attracts any bit of dust or debris that might be laying or floating around your work area. I didn't have too much trouble with pock marks, just one or two. I did have some trouble getting it to roll out at first. Felt kinda stiff but I might not have kneaded my MMF enough. I was able to roll out the fondant nice and thin...actually too thin because it tore a bit when I put it on my cake. I'm not that experienced with fondant since I'm just a hobby baker right now so I guess I have to judge a bit better when it's rolled out thin enough. The fondant didn't come off the mat as easily as in the video. I had to pull the first few inches off myself to help it along, but once it got moving it was okay. Again, it was MMF so that might have been a factor. All in all I'm pretty happy with it. I'll play around some more and see how things go.

I just used my mat to roll out some cookie dough. Worked great.

I am ordering this TODAY! I have been looking for a new mat, I hate my wilton one, it sides everywhere even when if I have it taped down. This is affordable! The ones I have been looking at are $30+. Thanks guys! I'm just a "hobby" baker who is branching out a little now, and I learn so much on here!

Just want to chime in with my experience with The Mat (I also posted this on another topic where there were many different opinions as to how well it worked).

Bottom line: I loved it, I had a terrible batch of fondant and was able to cover my large cake w/o any tears, cracks or pleats - check the BLACK BELT CAKE IN MY PHOTOS for an example.

Okay, so I finally had an opportunity to try The Mat (which arrived in two days when I ordered it). I wanted to use it on a cake for my own family so if I had issues it wouldn't stress me as much. I used it on my son's Black Belt cake (in my photos) and I couldn't have loved it more. I did not have any issues whatsoever with fondant pitting or sticking.

I rubbed a light as possible coating on one side, wiped it off with a Viva, pressed the other side of the mat on top and rubbed over the top to get the shortening on both pieces. I then separated the 2 pieces and rubbed each again with Viva to get any excess shortening off.

Rolling out took a little more strength than I usually use, but I think this was because I had a really temperamental batch of MFF (it had been stored in a vacuum sealed bag in my pantry and my pantry was ice cold this morning so I had to kneed the fondant forever and it was still really stiff and quite crumbly. DH came over and in 5 seconds flat rolled it from the 13" square I had it to the complete 23"x19" piece I needed (either I'm a wimp or he's Hercules - guess the fact that he has about 60 lbs on me might help too).

My batch of fondant was not only stiff, but SUPER crumbly, it was the kind that you just know, no matter what you do you will have cracks at the corners and along the sides as you try to smooth it. And that's IF you're lucky and it doesn't break as you're trying to move it because its crumbly and a HUGE 23x19" piece.

After rolling it out, the top piece of The Mat peeled up beautifully. I was still quite nervous as to what would happen when I tried to release the bottom over the cake and again for when I needed to smooth the sides.

I inverted The Mat over my 13x9x4" cake and began to pull it away from the fondant. I just peel back the 1st tiny bit, then pulled it taught like in the video. A DREAM!!!!! NO CRACKS!!! NOWHERE!!!! Not even on the corners. Worked like a charm the very first try.

When I rolled it up to put it back in the tube, I had rolled it about 1/4" too wide, at that point I tried again quickly, but was rushing because we had to leave soon. Again, DH to the rescue - he rolled it up in under 90 sec. I'm sure that process will get easier with use as well.

Thank you Sweet Wise, I LOVE this product!!!!

I just ordered mine. Can't wait to use it. Thanks for posting

Just got mine, and I used it this morning. I was a little afraid to use it today, because I didn't have a lot of time to troubleshoot if I had any problems. It worked beautifully on my first try. I love it!!!