I don't have a lot of rulers. I do find them tempting when I see a new, fancy one in stores, but I've never yet bought one until I have a real need for it. Like after doing some crazy finegaling with my regular rulers to try to cut out perfect 60 triangles for a stack and whack hexie, I decided to use a 50% off coupon for the appropriate ruler.

So -- what are your essential, oft used rulers?

I have 3 that get very regular use: a 3.5 inch by 24 inch oldie that I bought in 1986. I love it because it's long enough to cut across a folded length of yardage. The 3.5 inch width is enough to give me a lot of options for most of the strip widths I'd want to cut. I love it so much the numbers are getting a little faint in places, which makes me sad, since I don't see these rulers around anymore.

a 6 by 12 inch -- use it lots for all kinds of chores. It's nice to have something more compact than the above ruler when I'm doing quick cuts. And it's big enough for most of my needs when working with fqs or pre-cuts

a 6 inch square -- use that for squaring up blocks and trimming units to size when needed

RST

My top 3 that I'm always reaching for are:
1. 3" by 15" (oldest, edge is getting wavy. Should replace)

2. 6" by 24"

3. 6" square (numbers & lines are wearing off, bought a new one, and don't like it)

Being a tool fanatic, I buy everything. :roll: Most of my rulers and templates are still in the packages.

I actually use the 6x24 and the 3½, 4½, 6½ & 8½ square-ups.

Oh and the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese rulers - I use those quite a bit, especially the 2x4 that makes an 8" finished Ohio Star block.

I love my Mom's 12 1/2 inch square that I inherited. Love the
Easy Ruler Jr. 3 1/2 X 9 1/2. The 9 degree wedge ruler was a great investment... I make a lot of wedge things now that I have it. I have three long rulers but the one I like best and might be a good one to replace your fading one, is my O'LIPFA Lip edge ruler 5" X 24" Love the lip!

I use my Shape Cut every time. Also the 6 x 24 is in constant use. less offten is the 6 x 12 and I keep a smaller squar, a 3 1/2" square at my sewing desk for trimming up small things while sewing.

I have a pretty good supply and while there are some that I don't use often they're invaluable when I do need them. The long one I use for cutting strips, the 16 1/2" square, 12 1/2" sq, 6 1/2" sq, 6x12, and some of the smaller ones are the ones I use most often.

In order -

6 X 24
12 1/2 square
6 1/2 square

Like thepollyparot,I have many still in the plastic; wasted my money - should have bought fabric :)

I forgot about my 12 1/2 I use it and the 6 x 24 to square up and trim my quilts before binding.

Oops, I forgot about the Shape Cut - I do use that one a lot, too.

All my rulers are Creative Grids with the exception of some of the speciality ones. I use my 6.5x 24", 3.5x 24", 4.5"x18" the most. I like using my 8.5" to make strip tube quilts, thanks to the board, didn't need the fancy triangle ruler to make those. But I do have a lot of rulers that are still in plastic, but they will get used, if not, the board is a great place to treasure hunt.