I have the Big Mama and Big Daddy rulers but not sure how to use them to cut squares wider than 6 1/2". Is there a tut on the board?
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I have the Big Mama and Big Daddy rulers but not sure how to use them to cut squares wider than 6 1/2". Is there a tut on the board?
Are there no eighth marks on those rulers? I'm not familiar with them. If they're not marked in 1/8" increments, maybe you could make a template using a school ruler or your hubby's measuring tape.
you can't unless you turn the ruler side ways and mark the amount to cut and then line up he ruler.
There are rulers that are marked 1/8" increments.
You might consider cutting at 7" and taking a slightly larger seam when you sew the triangles together. Or make the square larger and then cut dow to size when the two triangles are sewed together. That is if you are cutting triangles and then sewing into squares.
Or get a ruler that has 1/8" marks on it. Or use the 6 1/2 ruler and then with another ruler measure the additional and mark and then cut. I have on occasion cut a narrow strip of stiff plastic and taped to one side of the ruler to give the additional inches and then use that side to line up and the un taped side for the cutting.
After googling what size your existing rulers are--6.5 x 12" & 6.5 x 24", I now understand your problem. You can do it with those rulers but it is going to be much easier to get yourself a nice big square ruler. I would suggest 12.5" or 15" square.
The easiest way to use your existing rulers would be to mark your line at say 2" and then measure from that line so square off an edge of the fabric--use the big daddy ruler (if you're doing a single fold, width of fabric) and measure and mark 2". Oh, and I would turn the fabric wrong side out & mark very lightly with pencil. Now take the big daddy ruler again and lay it so that you have 4 7/8" of fabric to the right side of the line you just drew if you're right handed. In other words, you're going to lay the ruler down on the line you drew and measure 4 7/8" from that line. You'll end up with a strip that is 6 7/8" wide which you can easily sub cut into squares.
If you're left handed--you're going to do it from right to left instead.
I would use a mechanical pencil with a very fine lead.
I just remembered that they make little gizmos that let you stick 2 rulers together. I don't remember what they are called and I still think you'll be better off using a large square ruler.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmilton
Go buy a big ruler-------at least 12", then mark off your 6 3/4 with painters tape.
Thanks ladies for all the good tips! I will try them all. Thanks especially to you Beverly. That works with the rulers i have.
Some years ago I found a ruler that was marked only in 7/8" measurement. 1 7/8, 2 7/8, 3 7/8 and so forth. It's been one of my favorite rulers. I've never seen one anywhere again. It's a creative grids ruler so maybe it is still being made.
The Big Daddy and Big Momma rulers are designed to work together. Use the markings to line the edge up and then place the ruler next to it. It's easy...you may see if her website shows you how if you don't understand.Quote:
Originally Posted by cmilton
I'm glad I could be helpful. Instead of marking the line, you could use the Mama ruler to measure out from the cut edges how ever many more than 6.5" and slide the Daddy ruler next to it to add an additional 6.5 inches then take the Mama ruler away and make your cut. It's tricky to do it that way for me but it can be done if my hands are cooperating that day. If you need a 10" cut, you would measure out 3.5" with Mama, slide Daddy right next to her and very carefully move her out of the way making sure you don't jostle anything out of place. I have done this when I first started and didn't have the big square rulers but I quickly found that I was better off marking the line and measuring off that than trying to get the 2 rulers to lay still--LOL. Sandpaper dots will help but they also hinder if you just need to wiggle a little.Quote:
Originally Posted by cmilton
That sounds like SO much work! Wouldn't it be easier to just grab your 40% coupon and go buy a new ruler? :)