Originally Posted by
bearisgray
This has puzzled me for years - Isn't an inch an inch an inch?
(I do not care for the Quilter's Rule rulers that have the thick raised ridges on the underside of them. They were the first ones I purchased - on the advice either a quilt shop person or my first quilting instructor. Why I do not like them - because of the thick lines - which side of the line do I measure from? )
With all the other rulers I have, when I hold them next to each other and line up the lines, they seem to align well.
I think this may have been more of an issue years ago. hopefully manufacturing has advanced and there is more precision now. But you do mention a prime reason why it is good to use the same brand of ruler. The lines do vary with thickness and that can make a difference with how you line up the fabric to cut. Bonnie Hunter advises to make sure that the line is completely covering the fabric when you make your cut. I use the little blank spaces to make sure I can see that the fabric is underneath the rulers measuring line. If you only bring the fabric up to the line, you will have to thin up your seam to get the final finished piece the right size. By always placing the fabric the same way you also get a more precision cut which makes it easier to get your finished pieces the size you want.