Hello fellow quilters,
Today we are going to talk about rulers! We have some great info for you and a ruler announcement to share.
Having several trusty rulers in a variety of sizes is essential for every quilter. The hardest part is trying to decide what brand and what sizes are the most helpful and useful.
As a young quilter I did not have any ruler knowledge when I decided I wanted to learn to quilt. I decided in the store what size to buy without any research, without consideration for the markings, and without any grip on the back. Granted, ruler technology was not as advanced then and there were not a lot of anti-slip options, but as a new quilter, I was making a big mistake. Live and learn!
The rulers of today are a whole different story.
First of all, let’s talk about what size rulers are handy to have around. As a general rule, you need to be able to cut strips from a width of fabric (WOF). This means you need one ruler that is at least 24’ inches allowing you to cut strips from yardage, make binding, square up, and trim batting or backing from quilts.
You also need to be able to sub-cut your larger strips into the smaller cuts which will eventually get pieced together to form your quilt. Having a smaller ruler for this job will make your life much easier. A 24’ inch ruler gets in the way and can be cumbersome when you are dealing with 4’ inch squares.
Now, when you first begin quilting it is a bit of an investment, and there are lots of new tools to purchase. So if only one ruler fits in your budget, a 6 ½ ‘x 24 ½’ ruler will work for everything you need to do. The long 24’ inch length will allow you to make WOF fabric cuts and accomplish the larger trimming, while the short 6’ inch side can be used for smaller pieces and squaring up blocks. You will however, have some hassle as you try to rotate the ruler to cut small pieces and trim blocks. You also need significantly more room on your cutting space to accommodate the large ruler in all directions. For most of us, things have a tendency to accumulate in our cutting area (tools, scraps, thread, patterns… you know who you are), so maintaining a large space is not as easy as it sounds.
If you can afford to buy one larger ruler and one smaller ruler, do it, you will not regret it. This is one of those areas where spending a little more will significantly decrease your frustration and make all your cutting easier.
In our beginning quilting class we suggest a 6 ½’ x 24 ½’ ruler and a 9 ½’ square ruler. The project for this class involves 9 ½’ blocks, so this ruler is perfect for the class. It can also be used to square up or trim any block smaller than the ruler, and is not so large that it causes a problem when cutting smaller pieces.
My original purchase was 6 ½’ inch x 12 ½’ ruler. To this day, my 6 ½’ inch x 12 ½’ ruler is one of two rulers that get the most use. Originally I used this for my larger cuts too, because it was the only ruler I owned, but it was not efficient and much less effective than a longer ruler. I quickly realized I needed a ruler that could cut a width of fabric (WOF). So after struggling along for some time, finally- older, wiser, and no longer a broke college student, I decided to replace my original ‘JoAnn Fabrics special’ with a Creative Grid. This was the ruler brand carried by my local quilt shop and my first experience with a good quilting ruler.
My next purchase was an 8 ½’ inch by 24 ½ ’ inch Creative Grid. The combination of these two sizes was perfect for me. It provided a 6 ½ ’, 8 ½ ’, 12 ½’ and 24 ½’ inch lengths, and in most cases gave me a length of ruler to fit every job without being oversized or bulky.
Now, different combos work for different quilters, and different brands have small variances in their ruler size, but the important part is to find one ruler big enough for width of fabric and one smaller ruler for sub cutting and piecing.
As you take on different projects and expand your skill set you can add additional sized rulers to your tool set. For example, our one block wonder class uses a 60 degree ruler, or you may find that squaring larger blocks with the 24’ inch length is difficult, so a 10 ½ ’ or 12 ½ ’ square could be in your future. Blocks run the range of 3’ inches finished to 18’ inches finished, and sometimes having the ruler perfectly sized to square your block can make a project ten times easier.
In addition to ruler size, there are several other points to consider. For a long time Creative Grids and Omnigrid have been popular standards in the ruler department. As we discuss important properties, we will compare these two major brands. When it comes to brand, it seems that many quilters are partial to the one they used when they first began to quilt.
Factor number one: Markings
Creative Grids rulers are labeled with a combination of black and white markings. Black numbers printed on white dots label the one inch increments and white numbers on black dots label the half inch increments.
Two sides of the ruler also include a ¼’ dashed line marking for trimming seam allowances.
In addition, all of the square and rectangle rulers have white centering lines horizontally and vertically delineating the mid line of the ruler. These are handy for squaring up, trimming, and fussy cutting.
Many of the rulers include markings for the most popular angles: 30°, 45° and 60°.
The 45° angles on the rectangle rulers cross on the ¼” line. These markings are super handy to trim ¼” away from the points of flying geese units or blocks set on point.
The 45° angle that begins at each corner to square up half-square triangles, or use as a tool for other types of piecing.
For those of you who are technologically inclined, Creative Grids also have a QR code which you can scan in order to watch a video demonstration of that specific ruler. However, a quick you tube search will provide you with the same tutorial!
Omnigrid Standard Rulers have a combination of black and yellow markings to delineate their measurements. These are known as their patented double-sight lines that show up on light and dark fabrics. Black markings show up on lighter fabrics and the yellow markings show up on darker fabrics.
Their rulers claim a left- and right-hand numbering and angle system with numbers running both left and right across the top and bottom of their rulers. I will note, they did not run up and down both directions. Now, I am right handed, so until I started comparing rulers for this blog, it never occurred to me that the standard structure of some rulers means left handed quilters are cutting while looking at upside down numbers! Not fair!
Most Omni Grids also have multiple degree angle lines for easy pivot of 30’, 45’and 60’ cuts. The only negatives I noticed about the angles on SOME of the Omnigrid is that they do not bisect a corner, and there is not a space where 45’ angles cross an edge and flying geese can be easily trimmed. Disclaimer: I do not use an Omnigrid on a regular basis, so if there is a trick that I don’t know about, share it in the comments!
When it comes to markings, just like sizes, you need to find the one that works for you. Omnigrid users love the yellow markings and feel they help get cleaner more accurate cuts, but someone who is used to a Creative Grid may find the yellow distracting.
The next consideration: the ½ ‘.
Omnigrid rulers generally come with full inch measurements from every side of the ruler. Now, obviously they have some squares that come in ½ inch sizes, including the 6 ½’ x 6 ½’, and 12 ½’ x 12 ½’, but when it comes to their standards the breakdown looks like this:
6’ x 12’
4’ x 14’
3’ x 18’
6’ x 24’
You get the point. Most Omnigrid users like the consistency of always knowing the first major marking from the edge will be 1 inch away. To view all the Omnigrid size options and products, here is their website:
Creative Grids are a different story. They have what they call a ‘turn around’ feature. Creative Grids rulers have two edges that are labeled with black numbers printed on white dots in one inch increments and two sides that are labeled with white numbers on black dots that are half inch increments.
This means whether you are cutting whole inches, or in need of ½’, you have an edge and markings that make it easy to cut. Lot of quilters love this! However, if you aren’t used having a half inch side, it can result in a mis-cut. It also means that Creative Grids have a tendency to run on the ½’ inch mark, not the whole, breaking down something like this:
6 ½’ x 12 ½’
4 ½’ x 12 ½’
8 ½’ x 12 ½’
8 ½’ x 24 ½’
Now, again, this does not they don’t carry a 6’ x 6’ square, or other rulers that fall on the whole inch mark. It is however something you need to be aware of when making a ruler purchase, or cutting with a ruler that may be new to you. To view all of the Creative Grid size and specialty options, here is their products page:
Personally, I love the option of cutting by the half inch or the whole inch, I just rotate the ruler to the side needed for the current cut. However, several of the other shop employees prefer the whole inch measurements of the Omnigrid, and do not like cutting with the Creative Grids at the shop.
The last and often most important consideration: anti-slip grip
Creative Grids has been Country Samplers go-to brand for quite some time. Designed by Quilters, Creative Grids have embedded grip on the back of each ruler, allowing the ruler to slide over fabric when necessary, and with the application of pressure hold everything snugly in place.
There is ½’ of grip around the edge on two adjoining sides, and ¼’ of grip around the edge of the other two. There are also grip circles placed strategically around the ruler.
Omnigrids have several different option when it comes to anti-slip grip.
The first is Invisigrip. Omnigrid InvisiGrip is a clear, non-slip material that is applied to quilting rulers and templates to prevent slipping while rotary cutting; InvisiGrip™ is invisible when applied for clear viewing; it can be removed without leaving a residue. It clings to the back of smooth surface rulers like a window decal. It makes any ruler non-slip and helps beginners who are just learning how to handle rulers; it can also be applied to the back of cutting mats to prevent the mat from slipping on a tabletop.
It comes in 12 ½’ x 1 yard roll and can be cut to fit any size ruler. It can even be used on a non-Omnigrid ruler as long as it has a smooth surface on the back. The down side, since this product functions via static cling, it cannot be used on a ruler that already has any texture or grip on the back. It also means, you are having to purchase another product in addition to the ruler.
As ruler technology advanced Omnigrid came up with a secondary non-slip option known as the OmniGRIP ruler, it has a patented non-slip backing to hold ruler in place during cutting.
The new version still has all the properties you love in an Omnigrid, but it also has built in grip. The only negative is Omnigrips have a much brighter green color that delineates them from the standard ruler. The grip is built into the almost neon green markings. Although I am sure some quilters have no problem with the bright green color, others are not happy with it, so much so that they did not upgrade when the new non-slip option came out.
Now, there is another non-slip option that can be added to a ruler to help provide stability and deserves an honorable mention. True Grips are non- slip, silicone adhesive rings that can be applied to the back of any ruler. They are clear so you can see your fabric and ruler through the grips. They are also scratch free so they won't scratch or damage cutting mats or fabric.
These are a good solutions for older rulers without any grip, like my original quilt ruler. They are also my temporary solution if you are having problems with your ruler sliding, but aren’t ready upgrade to a better version. The only down side to these little guys is that eventually the adhesive wears out, or separates from the silicone grip.
Quilting rulers can be found in all shapes and sizes, including specialty rulers and rulers creating for specific quilt patterns. There are basics that are necessary, assets to make specific tasks easier, and some that are just fun!!! Country Sampler has all of the standard size Creative Grids, and many of their specialty rulers. We try to carry the most popular sizes and a variety of specialty rulers, however it is impossible to keep them all in the store. If you have a ruler that you are interested in, but isn’t carried regularly in the shop, we would be happy to order it for you. Just let us know!
What sizes work for you? What do you love about your ruler? Is there anything we missed that people need to know? Tell us about it in the comments!
Last but not least.
What is the big ruler announcement?!?! Well, there is a NEW RULER BRAND on the scene. It is called…… (Drumroll please)……. Quilters Select.
In the second half of this blog, we are going to discuss the new Quilters Select rulers, and why long time quilters love this new brand! Stay tuned and in the meantime, happy stitching!
Molly R-D
Thanks for the good info!!
Posted by: Lynne Plambeck | 03/13/2019 at 11:49 AM