Quilting Ruler Round Up
Do you ever wonder which rulers are worth buying and which ones would just gather dust? Specialty rulers have the potential to make cutting so much faster and sewing more precise, but it's easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices. Plus, many rulers actually do the same work, which isn't always so clear. I've bought some rulers that were duds and others that are pretty awesome. Let's have a quilting ruler round up!
::Basic Quilting Rulers::
Many of my basic rulers are by Omnigrid. They have a non-slip side and seem to be very reasonably priced. You can find these at big box stores everywhere and at Amazon.
6" x 24" Rectangle - This is your basic ruler for cutting up yardage. It's the first ruler you should buy.
12.5" Square - Many blocks are squared up to 12.5" as a final step. This ruler makes it easy to center your cut when necessary.
Square Ruler Set - Aside from my 6x24" ruler, the rulers I use most were purchased as a set from Amazon. You can use any and all sizes for cutting block elements, trimming scraps to size or squaring up finished small-size blocks. I use 2.5", 4.5" and 6.5" the most.
::Favorite Specialty Rulers::
Flying Geese from Fons & Porter - This little ruler is the only way I want to cut and sew flying geese blocks. It improves sewing accuracy with a notching system. I don't have to square up blocks!
Tri Recs Tools by EZ Quilting - Great for making half rectangle triangles, triangles-in-squares and triangles for a simple triangle quilt. Like the Flying Geese ruler, it improves sewing accuracy with a notching system. I make lots of quilts with triangles. This set gives me the tools to easy cut pieces for my own patterns.
Drunkard's Path Rulers - Easily cut pieces for this essential curved block. I have one D.P. template. This set would be a great addition to my tools.
::Rulers I've Also Tried::
Hex N More by Jaybird - Designed to cut hexagons, half hexagons and jewel shapes. I've only used this for one quilt, Twirly Top (tutorial here), so I'm not sure yet how useful the ruler will be to me. If you like to work from patterns, there are many written for this ruler.
Half & Quarter Ruler from Fons & Porter - Since I love the flying geese ruler, I thought this might be helpful. I find I prefer the sewing methods that make batches of half square triangles over the one-at-a-time style required for this tool.
Quick Curve Ruler - I enjoyed using this ruler for a winding ways quilt so much that I'd like to make another in the same pattern. However, so far none of the other patterns designed for this ruler appeal to me. If you like to work from patterns, there are many written for this ruler.
Easy Circle Cut - I've had this for years and never used it. It allows you to cut circles of various sizes, which could be used for applique.
Tailor Diamond Cut - In my opinion this ruler is both unnecessary and frustrating to use. I much prefer to use the lines on my 6x24" ruler to cut diamonds. Also, I discovered when using the Diamond Cut that I don't like slotted rulers!
::Rulers I'd Like to Try::
Dresden Ruler - Would this be helpful for my dresden exploration this year? I wonder if the EZ quilting ruler is a good version?
Kaleidoscope Ruler - Someday I have to make a kaleidoscope quilt. Is the ruler quite helpful, I wonder?
Pineapple Trim Tool - I love the look of pineapple blocks, but not so much the making. Perhaps this would speed the process?
Scrapmaster Plus - I've long had my eye on this interesting tool that's supposed to help you trim scraps into triangles for half square triangles. Maybe this tool would help me use up my triangle scraps?
Ok, your turn! What must-have rulers have I forgotten? Which rulers are on your wish list?
Note: This post includes affiliate links to Amazon.