Comments on: Rulers, rulers, rulers! & tips for using them.

By: Jane Lloyd

Jane Lloyd — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:47:37 +0000

My best ruler is 6″ x 24″ and my best mat is 24″ x 36″

I do fold fabric to cut and try to have a daughter to help. We have been known to kneel on the long ruler to stop it slipping. My ruler has an antislip (Omnigrip) texture which helps a little

I store my large cutting mat behind a dresser to keep it flat to the wall….I’d love to know where other people store theirs!

Jane x

By: Tamis Place

Tamis Place — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:02:04 +0000

Great information here, thank you so much

By: craftapple

craftapple — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:21:59 +0000

Hmmm…I’m sure there’s a good reason for adding that extra half inch, but I can’t think of what it might be. My feeling is that unless you routinely wish your 6 x 24 was just a bit wider, then it might not be worth the cost. I love those rulers, but they are a bit pricey.

By: chris

chris — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:34:51 +0000

I’ve always liked the 6×24 and think its been kind of the standard quilting ruler. Now every brand also carries a 6.5×24 as well. Would it be any better to get one of these? I can see the extra half inch being useful for seam allowances, is there any thing else you would use this for instead of the normal 6×24?

By: marie

marie — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:27:31 +0000

Hi craftapple!

I am enjoying your blog. Your ruler use tutorial is interesting. Do you ever fold your widths of fabric to rotary cut them? Solves the short ruler problem, I think.

For the slipping and sliding problem, you can purchase small circles that adhere to the bottom of your rulers. They are like sandpaper and grip the fabric so the ruler stays in place. I put them on one of my longer clear rulers and it helps alot. Now my holding hand doesn’t have to work so hard! But I do need a larger cutting board and table.

I haven’t counted my rulers, but must have 6-8 at least.
Nice blog and thanks for the tut!

By: craftapple

craftapple — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:37:11 +0000

Your comment makes me smile! You are about as crazy happy about sewing tools as I am. I have way many more than I will use this year, but you never know when I might need just the right tool and I’ll have it on hand and not have to run to the store. Happy sewing!

By: merrie davis

merrie davis — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:36:29 +0000

i love rulers…i have 12 of them…my favorites are 3×18 and 4×6..use them more than any others i have ..i fold my fabric so i can cut it..i never lay it flat out..have no trouble straightening an edge with my 3×18 ruler..or 6×24 but mostly use the 3 x18..

i have 3 mats…a 10×17 which i use more than any of the others..a 17×22 which is ok but too big for me..and i have a 5.5×7.5 to take to classes to trim on the spot..

one of my favorites which i do use a lot is a 2.5 square..i use this mostly for half square triangles..when you make flying geese—unless you are using the fast flying geese pattern—you have the corners left..before i trim them i sew a 1/2 seam from the flying geese and i have a perfect half square triangle for another project or for part of the border depending on the pattern i am using..so i use it a lot to straighten up the edges on that..

anyway i love my tools..have a weakness for them..somewhere i have angle ones but never use them..there are lines from corner to corner of my square rulers so i use that..much faster to me..

but then i am always willing to try something new so will get the others out–wherever they may be–and try one..LOL..

i know that is a very late addition to this thread but you know i just got on here a short time back and i am finding all these fun things to read and i can;t resist commenting..

By: Measure Twice Cut Once « My Heritage Fabrics's Blog

Measure Twice Cut Once « My Heritage Fabrics's Blog — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:36:24 +0000

[...] are some additional tips that might help. [...]

By: craftapple

craftapple — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:49:26 +0000

You’re welcome, Charlene! I think the first little toolbelt I ever made was for a little girl – complete with yellow and pink flowers. My son loved trying it on for the photo shoot!

By: Charlene

Charlene — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:18:24 +0000

Oh, my goodness! I just realized I never thanked you for the “little something in the mail”. My daughter loves to steal the apron and wear it around the house (she’s two) and I’m probably going to make a little tote bag for her from the cute fabric you included.

Thanks for so kindly showing me I have a problem with too many rulers! You’ll be pleased to know I’ve passed a few on to a friend who’s just catching the quilting bug, with my help!