Rulers to get started
 

I am new to quilting. I have sewn for years so I have other sewing notions but the rulers to get have me stuck. I know the basics but when my Gramma showed me it was with scissors and paper templates so in rounding up supplies I got to rulers and there are so many I am baffled. I could spend a fortune I guess, but what I really need are the basics to start out. Any help would be much appreciated.

marnissa,
For the most part I still use templates and scissors-I love the sound of the scissors closing; it's a sound that takes me back to my mom sewing. I also shake a lot so I'm kind of intimidated with the rotary cutter, I don't have as much control and I'm afraid I might cut off something vital. :p

I have a four " by 12" ruler that I like but mostly I use the June Taylor Get Squared rulters to square the blocks up when they're finished. I have a 12", 8" and 6" ones.

Good luck wading through all of the products to find the ones that work for you. I bought my rulers at Joann with coupons because the cost was a factor to me, so I get one at a time.

Now days there is a ruler for everything. However, to get started with the basic bare bones you can get by with a 6 x 12 and a 6 x 24 inch ruler. I happen to like the Omni grid rulers, but there are many good ones out there. With those 2 rulers, you can cut strips, squares, even triangles, sort of.

If you want to get a little fancier, there are some great rulers at

www.guidelines4quilting.com/

It's complicated to explain how they work but it is worth checing them out. I bought 2 of their 6 x 12 rulers and a connector. Those 2 can be combined into all sorts of combinations. I like to use this set up for repetitive strips. They are fast becoming my favorites. I teach a beginner's class through adult education in my local high school and my students always want to borrow them in class.

6x24 is what I use for almost everything. Some specialty rulers for a few special quilt patterns

I am an Olfa Frosted Ruler fan and I couldn't live without my 6" X 24" one! I am not a fan of the Omni grids as I think the lines are too thick and it is too busy (lots of lines) I like the frosted because it makes the ruler less shiny but I can see my fabric perfectly through it. Also, I am a big fan of the June Taylor Shape Cut, although I have only used it to cut strips. (I have the Accuquilt Go with the strip dies and I have yet to use them. Find myself always pulling out my June Taylor!

http://www.joann.com/olfa-frosted-ru...-x24-/prd9818/

http://www.joann.com/shape-cut-sprin...prd_10560019a/

Use coupons on them at Joann's or Hancocks, never pay full price for a ruler! (or anything else, if you can help it!!!)

When you find one you like then stick with that brand for all the others you buy. The only exception I suggest is when there is a very special ruler for a special project such as wedge ruler. All rulers are not created equal and the lines on one might be slightly different than the other. I prefer the Omnigrid because that is the brand i "grew up in quilting with" so have the 6"x24" 6"x12" 12.5x12.5 and the 6.5x6.5 etc etc. Then purchase speciality as they ae needed for a project. An example of this is the "Strip Tube Ruler" for the strip quilts.

I am "renew" to quilting as well. I made quilts with templates long ago. I find I use a 6X24, the June Taylor Shape Cutter, and a 6 inch square up ruler. I did buy a Missouri Quilt template for 5 inch charm squares that makes the tumbler block, which was fun.

I agree 6 by 24 is the one I use the most

I can see how confusing this must seem to a 'newbie.'

I like a shorter ruler for cutting smaller pieces and the longer ruler for strip cutting or larger pieces. 6" z 24" fore my longer ruler.

Brands: Omnigrid or Creative Grids. With Creative Grids the rulers don't slide or slip. However, I also love the nifty Notions 7" x 14" and use this a lot too.

The main take away is: whatever ruler you start with, keep using it for the whole project for that sized pieces. You may use 2 rulers: a small one and the larger one ... whatever ... those are what you will use throughout. Mark them if necessary with painter's tape. If you interchange your rulers you may end up with different sized pieces.

ali

Thank you all. That really helps. I am a researcher so as you can imagine after looking at rulers for a while my eye balls crossed and smoke came out of my ears.