Patti25314

Make sure that you are pressing and not ironing. Ironing may stretch the material and make it look uneven. Here's a trick: tape it to something (like a plastic piece) or pin it down really well to the floor (carpet). Take a spray bottle of water to it and get it damp. Then let is dry. This may help to straighten it out some. Also, it helps to have something with good right angles to lay it on to see how it looks in terms of straightness. Make sense?

jcrow

I found a 8x24 ruler and love it. Now I don't use my 6x24 anymore. I have a 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 that I love also. And then I have the smaller ones that I can't live without. But the 8x24 is so great! It was hard for me to find. I think they are all over now, but when I found it, I lucked out. Those are so nice to have.

Carolyn All Day

Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies! When I cut my quilt originally, I relied heavily on the markings of my cutting mat (which I've since learned is a no-no!) and a yard stick. *sigh* And I made "templates" out of some heavy card stock-type material and laid that on top of my fabric to cut out my squares.

I definitely need to start building up a honest-to-goodness quilting ruler stash.

Dolphyngyrl

I only use three rulers regularly enough to need them. One is my 5x18 inch ruler with lip. I find the 6x24 awkward, guess I am weird. Can't live with out my june tailor shape cut plus ruler. I use that out of all my rulers the most for all my strip quilts. and the other one would be my 6 inch or 8inch square rulers. I find if you square up as you go the blocks, there is less need to square it later

earthwalker

I use a 6 x 24 and an 8.5 square, decent cutting mat and a thin 24 inch metal ruler. As the others have mentioned, you don't need a vast collection of expensive stuff. Make each block, sash and seam accurate and keep check as you go....the end result should be pretty spot on. Don't be too hard on yourself, or lose your motivation. Each quilt or project teaches us a new technique and is a step in the learning process. Another thing is to press your work as you go....not iron...wiggle and move that iron a lot and you will get a lot of distortion. Now, have a think and make some adjustments and get your top morphed into a quilt.....look at it, love it and see how much better your next one will be. Oh, and don't forget to show us....we love pics and you will get lots of encouragement and ideas for your next one.....happy quilting from the land of Aus.

asimplelife

Making your 1st quilt is a major accomplishment and you should be proud! We all have our inner perfectionist to deal with... but you will learn with each quilt you make and that is what keeps it fun. Good luck!

happyquiltmom

Lots of good advice from the folks here!

Perhaps you haven't heard of the "rule of eight"...stand back 8 feet from your quilt and the mistakes disappear!

Jo C

I also use a metal t square. Like 6$ at Lowes. The best tool i've found for squaring up a finished quilt. Have fun!

batikmystique

Yes, T-squares are great! An easy way to square up a finished quilt top no matter the size is to use a snap chalk line in conjunction with the T-square. Lay the quilt top on a hard surface, making sure it is as flat and smooth as possible. Taping it down with blue painter's tape will help! Place the T-square on one of the corners and line it up until you are happy with the placement, then line up the chalk line container with the t-square and secure the container to the floor or get someone to hold it for you. Stretch out the chalk line following the edge of the T-square to the opposite end of the quilt and snap the line. Nice thing about the chalk is that it is easily erased so that if your cutting lines are off you can snap new ones. Same method can be used for squaring blocks, but you could use a kitchen countertop or other hard surface. Hope this helps!

batikmystique

This is funny...love it! I've also heard that if you are galloping on a horse and you ride past your quilt and can't see your mistakes, then you are good to go! :-)