I went to a store that is a paint and glass store. They have a scrap bin of 1/4" acrylic and even thicker. The small pieces are 50cents and the large pieces are $1.00.
My husband told them what he wanted the scrap piece for and they even squared it up for him FREE!
I now have the perfect small ruler for longarm stitching for $1.50! I had ALMOST bought this same size ruler on a website for $16.50 with $4.50 in shipping.
If anyone gets the Keepsake Quilting catalog you will find a wooden mallet for "whacking" down seam allowances. When you have adjoining seams they tend to be thick and if you "whack" them they will flatten out more. WELL, you can pay the price in the catalog for this wonder item OR go to Wal-Mart and head over to the kitchen area and get yourself a MEAT TENDERIZER that has a smooth surface on one side. I got my "Seam Whacker" for $3.50!
It pays to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, so to speak!