I can also feel your pain. Having written BOM's for our guild and directions for a couple of projects that I have taught at an LQS, I learned a lot!! Clear, concise directions are so very important.
For the Deb Tucker pattern, I have made that maple leaf block with no 'special tools' and it is a favourite for our QOV's. We did find that it helped to paper piece the square with the point (I think that is the one that 'needs' the Square Squared ruler). I hate rulers with so many lines and lengthy explanations on how to 'manipulate' the ruler. I always get it wrong.