I think you're better off starting out with just 2 or 3 good quality rulers, all the same brand. I'm thinking of investing in the Creative Grids rulers. If I had to, I could get by with just a 6x24 and a 3.5x12 -- the ones I am always picking up to use. I would also invest in a June Tailor Shape Cut mat for cutting strips (makes the process easier and faster). I also used to like the EZ angle for cutting half-square triangles, but haven't done them that way in quite awhile.