Could my ruler be to blame?
 

I've tried several times (over the years) to make a quilt but never with great success...wonky seams seem to be my trademark :shock:

Anyway, I'm taking the Cut To It Craftsy class and as I was trying to apply what the instructor was demonstrating i noticed that although my ruler stays put when I cut the "free" fabric (the part not under the ruler) seems to shift.

My ruler is an 6 x 24 one that I've had for 15 years (yes, that's how long ago I started attempting quilting). Is it possible that it's somehow warped and needs replacing? I burnt a notch out of it by mistake a few years back. I just use the non-notched side but I'm thinking perhaps the melted bit is unbalancing the ruler?

I *may* be seeking a reason to replace the old ruler :o

...or a reason to justify my lack of skills...

I use a sharp blade on my rotary cutter btw

I agree, you need a new ruler.

If wonky seams are an issue, you might need to verify your quarter-inch seam. Does the Craftsy class demonstrate that also? If not, you might google for some tutorials. Tip - don't measure the seam allowance on the back of the patches you sew. Instead, cut 2 patches that are each 1" wide and sew them together. Press your seam (doesn't matter if it's open or to the side) and measure the right side of your fabrics. It should now measure 1.5" wide. If not, then your seam allowance is off and you need to adjust.

I have found that it is all in the placement of my hand. If my hand is ONLY on the ruler, it tends to drift. If I place my ring and little finger on the fabric to the left of the ruler (yes I am right handed) then the fabric and ruler seem to stay where they are meant to.

But if your ruler is that old, honey give yourself permission to get a new one!!

I replace rulers a lot. The new ones are so much easier to read and stay in place. I love Quilter's Select rulers. They don't move at all but sizes are limited. Creative Grids are great. The Frosted rulers are very nice if you have glare from light.

I agree that hand (or finger) placement makes a significant difference in the ruler shifting or not. Interestingly I was having a relevant conversation with another quilter about this just a bit ago.

In addition to the above, I tend - even with cutting the same measurement repeatedly - say 4 strips 2" wide or whatever the measurements - I tend to sometimes use the right side of the line; sometimes the left side; sometimes the center. When having these conversations I always think to myself...I really need to just put a piece of tape on the ruler so I am cutting more consistently. Of course by the time I get from the computer to the cutting table, I've forgotten and continue my lack of consistent cutting. Perhaps that might be part of your issue as well??

I also have little rubbery sticky dots on the 4 corners of my rulers. It helps tremendously with keeping them from shifting but the finger off to the side is still really helpful as well. The sticky dots can be picked up at any craft store or your local hardware store (if they even exist in most towns).

BTW, Welcome from NJ.

I hardly ever use my 24" ruler as I find it difficult to control the length. Yours could also be bowed a bit which makes it tough to maintain consistent contact across the fabric.

Definitely a new ruler. I learned in a workshop by Marti Michel. Press down when cutting not sideways. Sounds simple. But when she said it I realized when I cut, I was pressing to the side and the upper part of the cut was slipping. Sandpaper dots help too. Also, when cutting that 24 inches, walk you "holding" hand up don't put your hand in one spot and then run the cutter up the length, it will be wonky.

My cutting improved dramatically when I changed the cutting table height. You might want to experiment yourself. My previous table was too high and my ruler would slip.

I could never cut all the way straight on a 24" ruler...the last few inches were
always crooked. Since I bought the Slidelock ruler I no longer have this
problem. There's also less strain on my wrist.