It's an Omnigrip ruler and I was lining up the lines directly on top of the lines on the mat. I thought about doing the strip piecing, but maybe I will on another project. I do plan on using a scant 1/4 inch seam. I have kind of taught myself everything I know about quilting in the last 4 months. I don't know anyone who quilts and have never taken any classes, so I'm just kind of winging it. I have don T shirt quilt tops, but nothing traditional until now. It's more of a learning experience :)