One thing you can try is putting a few dots of rubber cement on your ruler on the side that touches the fabric. It will help keep the ruler from slipping so much and it peels right off if you don't like it. Be sure the glue is dry before you use the ruler!!! I also find I can control my rulers better when I don't use the really long ones. I'm not very tall, so I don't have much reach for the long ones. I use one that is 5" wide and about 13" long.