I would suggest, if you can find/afford it, an 8x24 ruler. I have a 6.5 x 24 that I use all the time. But I do find alot of patterns call for cutting 7 or 8 in strips. I have yet to find an 8 x 24 that I like and I HATE having to butt 2 rulers together or cutting by the lines on my mat. If I have to do either of those I will usually cut a bit wider and trim when I get down to smaller units. I have a 12.5x12.5 a 6 x 24 lip edge that I rarely use anymore and a 3.5 x 12 that I use for trimming. I find I can do just about anything with these and no need for specialty rulers or gadgets.