June Tailor ruler and log cabin trimming tool
04-07-2021, 09:44 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 201
June Tailor ruler and log cabin trimming tool
Hi - I have questions on two different "tools."
I've been looking at different cutting tools because I can't cut a straight line no matter what I do. Is the June Taylor slotted ruler worth the money in your opinion? It looks good from what I can see so I'd like to know what others think of it. The only disadvantage I can see is that the largest ruler only cuts in 2" increments, and the rulers that do cut in smaller widths are too small to use on a large piece of fabric. Are there other slotted rulers that might be better? Does this ruler really work? I am seriously straight line challenged it seems.
Second question is about CreativeGrid's log cabin trimming tool. This is another one I want to try but not sure if it's worth the money. I just made my first log cabin quilt, loved doing it and want to make more. The extra square in the middle looks like it makes squaring up much easier. For those who use this do you find it helpful? Do your squares come out more "square?"
https://www.creativegridsusa.com/products/CGRJAWMN6
I've been looking at different cutting tools because I can't cut a straight line no matter what I do. Is the June Taylor slotted ruler worth the money in your opinion? It looks good from what I can see so I'd like to know what others think of it. The only disadvantage I can see is that the largest ruler only cuts in 2" increments, and the rulers that do cut in smaller widths are too small to use on a large piece of fabric. Are there other slotted rulers that might be better? Does this ruler really work? I am seriously straight line challenged it seems.
Second question is about CreativeGrid's log cabin trimming tool. This is another one I want to try but not sure if it's worth the money. I just made my first log cabin quilt, loved doing it and want to make more. The extra square in the middle looks like it makes squaring up much easier. For those who use this do you find it helpful? Do your squares come out more "square?"
https://www.creativegridsusa.com/products/CGRJAWMN6
04-07-2021, 10:49 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,395
My slotted ruler didn't last long. It cracked at the weak slot points.
In my opinion, if you're not careful about where you put any ruler, you won't get straight cuts, slotted ruler or not. The key is to make your cuts perpendicular, meaning the ruler is perfectly square with the fold of the fabric. If it's not, you will get a V in your cut.
In my opinion, if you're not careful about where you put any ruler, you won't get straight cuts, slotted ruler or not. The key is to make your cuts perpendicular, meaning the ruler is perfectly square with the fold of the fabric. If it's not, you will get a V in your cut.
04-07-2021, 11:39 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,866
I love my QuiltCut Strip Savvy XL Slotted Quilting Ruler. I've had it for a little over a year. It has slots on each 1" and 1/2" interval. If you ever need to cut something with 1/4" measurement (say you need 2.25" strips), you can still use the ruler to do so: 1) make a clean starting cut 2) reposition the ruler so that 1/4" of fabric is beyond the starting cut slot (there is line marking this) 3) cut on the appropriate slot (2" slot for this example). (Doing a lot of strips this way does mean reposition the ruler after each strip.) My cuts are perfectly straight and I never have to worry about the ruler slipping on long cuts. (When using a regular ruler, I sometimes forget to walk my hand up the ruler on long cuts, which easily results in a slip.)
When this ruler *really* shines (to me), is sub-cutting strips into squares (or rectangles). Just get the fabric placed properly and then zip-zip-zip cutting down each appropriate slot. With a regular ruler, I have to move the ruler after each cut and pay attention that the ruler is still straight. A small thing that is very nice is there are symbols marking where the repeats are for each of the 1.5" (stars) and 2.5" strips (hexagons). Which makes it much easier to find the right slot when cutting many strips (so no math needed when moving from the 6th to the 7th 2.5" strip cut). I'm working on a project with lots of small squares and I love being able to produce a big batch of squares really fast.
When I was researching my options, I found this review comment helpful: "The QuiltCut slots are about 1 1/2 inch longer than the Greative Grids slots. This means no more missed cuts at the beginning and end of cutting a full width of fabric folded twice. I really hate those threads that just seem to hang on. With the Quil Cut, I have a full 1 1/2 inch more rotary blade travel before and after. The Creative Grids gives you half inch before and half inch after you make the cuts. Also, this one is 22 inches wide as compared to the 20 inches of the Creative Grids."
When this ruler *really* shines (to me), is sub-cutting strips into squares (or rectangles). Just get the fabric placed properly and then zip-zip-zip cutting down each appropriate slot. With a regular ruler, I have to move the ruler after each cut and pay attention that the ruler is still straight. A small thing that is very nice is there are symbols marking where the repeats are for each of the 1.5" (stars) and 2.5" strips (hexagons). Which makes it much easier to find the right slot when cutting many strips (so no math needed when moving from the 6th to the 7th 2.5" strip cut). I'm working on a project with lots of small squares and I love being able to produce a big batch of squares really fast.
When I was researching my options, I found this review comment helpful: "The QuiltCut slots are about 1 1/2 inch longer than the Greative Grids slots. This means no more missed cuts at the beginning and end of cutting a full width of fabric folded twice. I really hate those threads that just seem to hang on. With the Quil Cut, I have a full 1 1/2 inch more rotary blade travel before and after. The Creative Grids gives you half inch before and half inch after you make the cuts. Also, this one is 22 inches wide as compared to the 20 inches of the Creative Grids."
Last edited by platyhiker; 04-07-2021 at 11:41 AM.
04-07-2021, 11:50 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,850
I have june taylor's 2 and 1/2 sloted ruler and it goes across to 10 and 1/2 or 12 1/2 . I have had it for years and have use it a lot and is is very helpful. Just lay you fabric under the ruler and cut a bunch of 2 and 1/2 strips.
04-07-2021, 01:14 PM
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,190
I really use my June Taylor strip cutting slotted ruler. I usually cut strips for bindings and 2-12" squares, rail fence, basket weave and such. Cuts are always straight. I hate cutting strips with a regular ruler. I do if I need 1-3/4" etc.
04-07-2021, 02:11 PM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mars
Posts: 2,549
I used to use the slotted ruler a lot, but I have been away from quilting for a few years and forgot that I had it. 
I was doing a lot of jelly roll patterns back then, so it was useful.
As for the log cabin trimmer, I don't know. It might be very useful if you use the method of chain sewing your blocks to the new strip and then cutting the strip even with the blocks.
I've found that I prefer cutting the strips to the exact lengths that I need, so that my blocks will stay pretty square - I know right away if my seam allowance or cutting is a little off, because the next strip should fit perfectly onto its place on the block.
After I squared up the blocks for the last log cabin with an ordinary square ruler, I had only a handful of slivers and "dust" trimmed from 100 blocks, and that was much better than I had had with the other method.
Some of these rulers are so specialized and very specific that you almost need to make a LOT of those kinds of quilts in order to justify the cost. I bought the Creative Grids Pineapple trim tool after watching a couple of videos - one of them mentioned 1¼" strips, which is exactly what I want to use.
After I ordered it, I learned that you actually have to use 1¾" strips and that's too big for what I want to do. I'm going to go back to the reverse foundation papers for my plan, but I have another $30 ruler that I'll never use.
The only rulers I really use a lot: 6x24", 6x12", 3x12", 4x48", Square-up rulers in several sizes from 2½" to 22", Triangle Square-up rulers for HSTs, and QIAD flying geese rulers.
Hope you find the right tools for the way that you work.
I was doing a lot of jelly roll patterns back then, so it was useful.As for the log cabin trimmer, I don't know. It might be very useful if you use the method of chain sewing your blocks to the new strip and then cutting the strip even with the blocks.
I've found that I prefer cutting the strips to the exact lengths that I need, so that my blocks will stay pretty square - I know right away if my seam allowance or cutting is a little off, because the next strip should fit perfectly onto its place on the block.
After I squared up the blocks for the last log cabin with an ordinary square ruler, I had only a handful of slivers and "dust" trimmed from 100 blocks, and that was much better than I had had with the other method.
Some of these rulers are so specialized and very specific that you almost need to make a LOT of those kinds of quilts in order to justify the cost. I bought the Creative Grids Pineapple trim tool after watching a couple of videos - one of them mentioned 1¼" strips, which is exactly what I want to use.
After I ordered it, I learned that you actually have to use 1¾" strips and that's too big for what I want to do. I'm going to go back to the reverse foundation papers for my plan, but I have another $30 ruler that I'll never use.
The only rulers I really use a lot: 6x24", 6x12", 3x12", 4x48", Square-up rulers in several sizes from 2½" to 22", Triangle Square-up rulers for HSTs, and QIAD flying geese rulers.
Hope you find the right tools for the way that you work.
04-07-2021, 05:04 PM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,211
I have a Martelli and a Creative Grids slotted ruler. The Martelli stays in place, but there is too much play in the slots so the strips aren't 100% accurate. I have trouble keeping the Creative Grids in place for the first cut, so I end up having to reposition it several times, which wastes time and fabric.
04-07-2021, 08:23 PM
#10
Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 34
I have enjoyed using my June Taylor slotted ruler. Using it successfully requires the user to concentrate on the task at hand. The errors I['ve made were all mine, not the fault of the ruler. I have used it for a variety of projects. I had the most fun making fleece throws with fringe. It's an inexpensive tool in comparison with some others, so if you don't like it, you won't have lost much.
