how to use curvy log cabin ruler
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
Posts: 175
I find that Creative Grids do not write the best instructions on how to use their products. What might help you is viewing their instruction video in slow motion and in full screen. Sometimes the demonstrator goes too quickly.
To slow down a YouTube click on the Settings icon (which looks like a gear/cog) and select which speed. Then select full screen and when viewing hit the space bar to pause and space bar again to start. I find this helps me when I want to follow along.
HettyB
To slow down a YouTube click on the Settings icon (which looks like a gear/cog) and select which speed. Then select full screen and when viewing hit the space bar to pause and space bar again to start. I find this helps me when I want to follow along.
HettyB
#12
I have this ruler (Creative Grids) and have made several quilts with it. I will say that it is not the most intuitive to use but once you get the hang of it it goes along fine. The key to using the ruler is to line up your center square with the square on the ruler. There is a different square to line up depending on the round you are on. If you google creative grids curvy log cabin tutorials it will take you to the Creative Grids page and the video tutorials.
Basically you start with your center square and in the upper right hand corner of the ruler there is a square with rough holes in it. Place this over your center square and mark the four corners. This will get you started right to have the correct seam allowance. Once you've done this sew two wide strips along the top and side and two narrow strips along the other two sides. You don't have to be concerned at this point as to how edges line up as you will trim those away with the ruler. Just make sure you have your stitching line going through the dots you made on your center square. This will assure you that your center square is the correct size. Now take your ruler with the wide strips across the top and down the right side and place the square on the ruler that is labeled "Wide Round 1". Line up the square and trim off the two wide strips you have. Next flip the square around and the ruler around and line up the square that is labeled "Narrow Round 1" with your center square. Trim the edge along the top and right side of your square. Now you are ready to do round 2. Do the same by sewing on two wide strips to the wide strips and two narrow strips to the narrow strips. Go to your ruler and line up your center square with the square that is labeled "Wide Round 2" and trim. Turn your block around so the narrow strips are along the right and top, line up your center square on your block with the square on your ruler that is labeled "Narrow Round 2". Do the same for round 3. The dotted lines on the ruler should line up with your seams in each round. Hope this helps.
How your arrange your blocks will determine how your finished quilt will look like. There are a number of patterns that are available using this ruler. Here are two quilts that I have made.
Basically you start with your center square and in the upper right hand corner of the ruler there is a square with rough holes in it. Place this over your center square and mark the four corners. This will get you started right to have the correct seam allowance. Once you've done this sew two wide strips along the top and side and two narrow strips along the other two sides. You don't have to be concerned at this point as to how edges line up as you will trim those away with the ruler. Just make sure you have your stitching line going through the dots you made on your center square. This will assure you that your center square is the correct size. Now take your ruler with the wide strips across the top and down the right side and place the square on the ruler that is labeled "Wide Round 1". Line up the square and trim off the two wide strips you have. Next flip the square around and the ruler around and line up the square that is labeled "Narrow Round 1" with your center square. Trim the edge along the top and right side of your square. Now you are ready to do round 2. Do the same by sewing on two wide strips to the wide strips and two narrow strips to the narrow strips. Go to your ruler and line up your center square with the square that is labeled "Wide Round 2" and trim. Turn your block around so the narrow strips are along the right and top, line up your center square on your block with the square on your ruler that is labeled "Narrow Round 2". Do the same for round 3. The dotted lines on the ruler should line up with your seams in each round. Hope this helps.
How your arrange your blocks will determine how your finished quilt will look like. There are a number of patterns that are available using this ruler. Here are two quilts that I have made.
#13
right, this is the Creative Grid ruler but it has dotted measuring lines, (the idea is to line up the block with the dotted lines & trim the row), small square blocks running diagonal representing the center square for each row, a block for marking & cutting the center block. The diagonal square blocks are to line up the center square with each corresponding row then the ruler is turned each time you add a row always turning clockwise & trimming
Problem I had is I line up the center block for each row & trim using the dotted lines for each row, when finished the block is not square. If you square it each time you add a row you keep making it smaller & the end product is way off. There are no measurements on the ruler telling you what size each row adds to the block. Should be simple to figure measurements but by using varying sizes of row fabric & trimming after they are sewn on using the dotted lines on the ruler, you lose some in the fold & each material presses diffferently, even tho I use a scant quarter I nearly always need to square my blocks. May not have made myself clear, hope its not too confusing
Problem I had is I line up the center block for each row & trim using the dotted lines for each row, when finished the block is not square. If you square it each time you add a row you keep making it smaller & the end product is way off. There are no measurements on the ruler telling you what size each row adds to the block. Should be simple to figure measurements but by using varying sizes of row fabric & trimming after they are sewn on using the dotted lines on the ruler, you lose some in the fold & each material presses diffferently, even tho I use a scant quarter I nearly always need to square my blocks. May not have made myself clear, hope its not too confusing
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4,840
I find that Creative Grids do not write the best instructions on how to use their products. What might help you is viewing their instruction video in slow motion and in full screen. Sometimes the demonstrator goes too quickly.
To slow down a YouTube click on the Settings icon (which looks like a gear/cog) and select which speed. Then select full screen and when viewing hit the space bar to pause and space bar again to start. I find this helps me when I want to follow along.
HettyB
To slow down a YouTube click on the Settings icon (which looks like a gear/cog) and select which speed. Then select full screen and when viewing hit the space bar to pause and space bar again to start. I find this helps me when I want to follow along.
HettyB
Leslie
#16
Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Erie,Pa
Posts: 3
Log length
I just came across this conversation about the curvy log cabin ruler (4 inch) almost 4 years after the original discussion.I recently bought the Creative Grids 4" curvy ruler so I could make a rectangular wall hanging for my daughter making each log cabin circle in the colors of the 4 seasons. I need each block to be no larger than 16 inches. I thought this ruler would give me the perfect size. I've watched several YouTube videos demonstrating how to use the ruler, but none of the videos mentions how each log needs to be. Is this something I should know without being told? I'm feeling very stupid right about now! If anyone has any information to share about this, please do.
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 02-11-2020 at 02:55 AM. Reason: shouting/all caps
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,391
I would contact this quilter: https://mountainquiltworks.blogspot....n-designs.html She is the pattern and ruler tester for the curvy log cabin.
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,391
#20
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,557
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AngelinaMaria
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02-13-2013 07:49 AM