Tammi M

My daughter asked me what I had on my wish list this year for Christmas. I have seen advertised somewhere a wooden handle with suction cups that attaches to your rulers so you can hold it down with that instead of laying your hand directly on the ruler. I think it came in a couple of sizes, and the larger one was quite long to extend nearly the length of a good size ruler. I think the price was about $35 for the larger one, but now I can't remember the name of it, or where I saw it advertised so I can tell her about it! Does anyone know what this is and where I can find it? I have seen plastic ones, such as the Gypsy Gripper(I think that is the name) but this one just looked much nicer! Thank you for any help!

mem

Are you thinking of the Quilter's Slidelock? I've read several emails from quilters who bought one at the Houston show...they sound intriguing. Here's the website http://quiltersslidelock.com/

Margaret in Texas

BellaBoo

The Quilters Slidelock is what I use. I use it on top of my ruler and it holds the ruler in place, it isn't going to slip or move. I won't use a rotary cutter without it. I had one bad cut before and it hurt enough I would have gladly paid triple the price of it to stop the pain. There is no excuse anyone can give me not to use a safety device when using a rotary cutter.

Tartan

Some QB members get them at a hardware store instead of the craft store because they are less expensive. I think the hardware ones are for moving window glass?

BellaBoo

This is a different type of holder called the Gypsy Gripper. It works but is awkward for me to use.

peaceandjoy

I got rid of the Gypsy Grippers, they were more of a bother than a help. I notice that LQS has also stopped using them as well as no longer carrying them.

Recently got the Slidelock and LOVE it. It's an acrylic plate, thicker than a ruler would be so very sturdy, with holes every couple of inches. When you press on the handle, it causes balls of ?? (clear rubber, maybe?) to press down through those holes and grip the fabric. When you take your hand off the wooden handle, they lift - and then the holes allow you to slide it to the next point.

These are not rulers - there are no markings - you have to either use an acrylic ruler with it and/or lines on your mat if they are accurate (the only ones I've found that are as accurate as a ruler are the ones on Martelli mats).

I purchased both the longer one (24") and the shorter one (14"). Were I doing it again, I'd get just the smaller one. When cutting WoF, fold fabric in half and then in half again. To me, that's more comfortable than cutting across the fabric with a single fold; I find that to be the case with or without the Slidelock.

JustAbitCrazy

I can recommend the Quilter's Slidelock. I love mine. Fabric and ruler stay put and don't slide, plus your hand is out of the way of the blade. The ruler is twice as thick as other rulers, so the blade can't easily jump the ruler and cut you anyway. Great product, worth every penny. (How much does a trip to the emergency room cost?)

Lafpeaches

I'm going to cosider the Slidelock. I bought the gypsy gripper, used it once, didn't like it at all.

gigi712

I concur about the Slidelock. No more having one pinkie finger on the fabric, NO slipping and it's much safer than anything I've ever used.

Onebyone

Slidelock is a must have for me and my guild urges everyone to use it when cutting at workshops and classes. Cleaning up blood and rushing someone to the ER is not pleasant for anyone especially when it could have been avoided.