How do you go about marking your straight-line channels and grids?
 

Question 1: I am about to mark my quilt top. One section, the pillow top, has a wide section that will be channeled using a V shape. The point of the V starts in the middle and fans out. My problem with is is that I don't have a ruler long enough. I have painter's tape to use, but since my ruler is short I don't know how to get it straight and not have a bow in it. Ideas?

Question 2: There are 4 (20-inch) blank blocks that will have a motif that surrounds a large middle that is a grid. I'm guessing painters tape there too?

Is there an easier way to do all of the above? I'm all about easier/quicker. LOL

This is my first time to do either channels or grids and I'm curious as to how all of you handle such issues.

Dray

I always use painters tape. Can you line up several rulers?

Can you use a yardstick ?

Thanks...I don't have a yardstick...but I will stretch the tape and try that.

Do you mean that you put the painters tape on and then quilt alongside it, or that you use the tape a as a substitute for a ruler and mark the quilt alongside it?

i have tried to use painters tape, and have been happy w/ shorter markings, but for longer stretches, you might consider looking for something firmer - piece of cardboard, the edge of a box.

long twine, or thread you can see, yard stick,

Would you happen to have a long board or even a broomstick .... if the painter's tape doesn't work.

good idea about the broomstick or board. My husband builds so he may have a board I can use.

I long piece of wood is all you need. Before. Now I have used a book or anything with a straight edge.

I've always used my seam quide for channels or repeating grids. It's that sliding bar that you attach (usually to the presser foot shaft) and quide the extending foot along a previous seam or sewing line. You only have to mark the first line in each direction. I've even used it for repeating circles in increasingly larger rounds.