Thanks so much everyone for taking time to offer links and advice. It is frustrating sometimes how easily you can get stuff in the States that we struggle to find in Europe - maybe I'll have to move over there. :D
Lace - yes, that one is gridded in inches. :D
I've been googling rulers but can't find any longer than 24". I appreciate that a long one would be more difficult to control but it must exist - I'm sure I've seen WOF length rulers in fabric shops. I'll keep looking. :D