Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
??? about rulers >

??? about rulers

??? about rulers

Thread Tools
 
Old 08-12-2013, 10:48 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 16
Default ??? about rulers

You all are so helpful....Thank you for all the help I have gotten already. My ??? is why do the square rulers only have 2 sides of the actual square and the other 2 sides are different? For example a 3 1/2 X 3 1/2 has 2 sides that are 3 1/2 and 2 sides that are 3 inches...How do I get a total 3 1/2 inch square???? Thank you so much for your help again
gobucks7 is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 11:02 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
klgls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,599
Default

I'm not sure I'm following you - if the ruler is square - then all sides are equal, otherwise it is a rectangle ruler.
klgls is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 11:15 AM
  #3  
Power Poster
 
BellaBoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
Default

It's that way so you can put the edge of the ruler at the corner of the fabric at the measurement you want and only have to make two cuts to get a square. I don't like to cut large squares, I always mess up.

Last edited by BellaBoo; 08-12-2013 at 11:19 AM.
BellaBoo is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 11:17 AM
  #4  
Super Member
 
EasyPeezy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,455
Default

Because you usually start at 3.5" (unfinished square or block) and
finish and 3" after sewing...USUALLY. Of course there are a few patterns
that use the less common 3" but that would finish at 2.5".
When you trim you don't trim all four sides in one go. You trim two
sides, turn and trim the rest. Right? So you position your ruler so
that the 3.5" sides are on the sides of the fabric that you will trim.
Ignore the 3" sides. Does that make sense?
If I were to cut 3.5" square I would use a longer ruler and cut a
3.5" strip and then cut 3.5" the other way.
EasyPeezy is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 11:42 AM
  #5  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
Default

Go look at the Bias Square 8 ruler from That Patchwork Place. I require this one in most of my classes for squaring up blocks up to 8" in size, or any component within those blocks. It is differently marked than any other ruler on the market and this is how I use it:

Jan in VA
Attached Thumbnails squaring-up-block.png  
Jan in VA is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 11:47 AM
  #6  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,387
Default

Huh? This time I'm confused -

The ruler seems to be in exactly the same position it was -
bearisgray is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 11:53 AM
  #7  
Super Member
 
klgls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,599
Default

bearisgray - it is, it's the fabric square that you turn.
klgls is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 12:04 PM
  #8  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,387
Default

Originally Posted by klgls View Post
bearisgray - it is, it's the fabric square that you turn.
The 'fabric piece' still appears to be exactly the same size in the second illustration.
bearisgray is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 12:23 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
NikkiLu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So. Central MO
Posts: 2,759
Default

Just checked all of my square rulers and they are all perfectly square. You must have a special ruler of some kind.
NikkiLu is offline  
Old 08-12-2013, 12:34 PM
  #10  
Power Poster
 
nativetexan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: home again, after 27 yrs!
Posts: 19,388
Default

when you trim the right and top edges, you then remove the ruler and take the square by the left bottom corner and turn it where it now is in the top right corner. then again lay your ruler where it needs to be and trim right and top side again. Eleanor Burns of Quilt In A Day does this all the time on her shows. i'm just used to it. http://www.quiltuniversity.com/squaring_up.htm
nativetexan is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CW23114
Main
5
09-05-2018 04:52 PM
QuiltingGrannie
Main
21
01-10-2012 02:17 PM
sondray
Links and Resources
0
03-21-2008 04:10 PM
NewsletterBot
Main
7
09-25-2007 02:05 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



FREE Quilting Newsletter