Creative Grids 4.5" squaring ruler
 

I was going to purchase the Creative Grids 4.5" squaring ruler, it looks like a great tool that will help me in squaring up the 72 4.5" squares for my current project. But first I took a look at all my rulers to make sure I don't already have this one. I don't have it, but did find that I have the 4.5" log cabin trim tool. Aha, I said, this should work. But it doesn't!! Problem is, even with the grippy material around the edge and the grippy circles on the bottom it still slips and slides all over the place. If I hold it down very very firmly it sill stay pretty much in place but as soon as let up just a tad on the pressure it moves. I even tried weighing it down with the weights I use but that isn't enough.

I find if I'm trimming a single piece of fabric it works fine. It's when I'm cutting a finished block, the extra height of the seam allowance is enough to raise it so that the grippers no longer hold it tight.

I'm thinking that other than the markings, the log cabin trim tool is exactly the same as the squaring ruler so it probably wouldn't be worth it to buy the squaring ruler. But I could be wrong, maybe they are different and the squaring rules grips better, if so, that would make my day . If anyone is familiar with both these rulers can you share your experiences with them? Are they both the same? Do they slip for you? Is there another company with something similar that holds better?

To square up I usually use a larger square but really like the idea of using a ruler the exact size of my squares because no matter how careful am when I lift it and put it back down in a different position I end up with wonky cuts.

I like to use a ruler about 2 inches bigger than the block. I want to see all the fabric under the ruler lines. I usually stand to trim the blocks for more control of the ruler and rotary cutter.

For HST blocks I want the diagonal line going through the center of the ruler.

I don’t have access to my rulers right now but I suspect the gripper dots on the back of the two rulers are in different places. That might have an effect on your current trimming. Unfortunately I can’t give you specific info on the rulers. You could try covering the ruler (back or front - won’t matter since you’re squaring to 4.5”) with Invisigrip. I have used it on my non-Creative Grids rulers and templates with excellent results.

Since you asked about other brands I will say that Quilters Select rulers have the grippy coating on the entire back of their rulers.

As far as I am concerned, the grippers on all the brands of rulers I have are not reliable. A few years ago, I got tired of my rulers slipping so I bought a roll of clear adhesive stair tread anti-slip tape. I cut it into pieces 1/4" x various lengths and attached short segments along the edges and down the center of the back of all my rulers and templates. It is very gritty and holds well, even over seam lines. Now with even light pressure I have stable rulers when I cut.

I have purchased a spray name Grippy that I lightly the back side of all my rulers. They do not slip. I even use it on the back of my rulers I use to quilt with along with my free motion quilting. Works great. I think I ordered my can from Quilt In A Day but have seen it in quilt shops also.

I agree, the grippy must be in a different location on the log cabin Creative Grids ruler than the 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 square.

Another thought, when I have loads of HST to trim down and square up I prefer the Bloc Loc ruler. I am not the type that needs every size ruler made - I have the 6 1/2 x 6 1/2" Bloc Loc HST ruler and use it for all HST's up to that size. Love how it secures the block for precise trimming.

I do as Rhonda K does - mostly. I use a larger than necessary ruler (cuz I can't be bothered with a bunch of specialty rulers unless really necessary). And for squaring HST's, always put the diagonal line down the center seam of the block. I also have a 12" rotating mat that helps with all the turning when trimming blocks.

I purchased several packages of rubber dots and put them on the corners of all of my rulers. Yes, they raise the ruler off the fabric a bit but they also don't slip around.

My method too. I have a Creative Grids 6.5 ruler that is my "go to" for so much of my quilting that I need to replace it after 20 some years. (Nicked corners) I like that it is a bit larger than my squares and dependable. As said above, standing rather than sitting makes a difference in accuracy along with a sharp blade and not trying to cut too many layers at a time (more than 4 in my case).

I have not used other brands because I am happy with CG. Everyone has their favorite. Perhaps adding additional grippy spots?

I have the Creative Grids in every size from 2.5" to 12.5" square. Some are quite old and well used; I recently noticed that a corner of one is starting to wear away a bit.

Creative Grids does make a tape that you can apply to any brand/size ruler. It's not inexpensive, but works great. I know some also like to use Nexcare Flexible Adhesive Tape (sold in first aid department w/ bandages). Have not tried it personally.

Someone on this board recommended this 3M shower tread about 5 years ago. I purchased it and have used it on my rulers, and also to make a seam guide on the bed of my sewing machines when I don't have a reliable 1/4" foot. Recently I had a bunch of 4.5" finished HST's to trim, and I was congratulating myself that I had just the right size BlocLoc ruler for the job. Then I looked more carefully, and what I was using was just a smooth ruler to which I had previously applied the 3M tape! I've used so much of it, I've even bought a second roll. And none of it has gone in a shower. If 3M knew about this, they would be marketing it to quilters, at twice the price.

I use the Gypsy Gripper Little Gripper that fits on small rulers. It is 2 1/4 " round. I don't use a rotary cutter without a safety tool and this works great to hold the ruler flat and to protect my fingers. Grippy spray does a great job for smooth bottom rulers. With Quilter's Select rulers, which are my favorite, I use a ruler handle because they will not slide and the handle makes it easy to move the ruler on the fabric and of course protection.

I bought a little CG square ruler recommended by Bonnie Hunter, I believe it is 5" and has 1/8" markings. I like it a lot. I put Guidelines 4 Quilting gripper strips on the bottoms of all of my rulers. Can't hold a ruler in place without them.

I use the Westalee Design Stable Tape on the back of my rulers. Works really good, but is expensive. However, any ruler I've put it on, I haven't had to replace the tape yet. I cut it down to a 1/2" piece and put it on several places on the back of my rulers. If you do a search, you can find it in different craft / sewing online stores.

Most of you use a rotary cutter on small rulers without a safety device or glove on your ruler hand? One slip and your finger is right there. I did get a cut once and it wasn't severe but ruined a couple of days. Plus going through the drama. If I get cut again it will not be for lack of protecting myself.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. A nursing friend of mine gave me about 6” of co-flex bandage wrap and said to give it a try. It’s what they use in place of adhesive tape for keeping bandages on (for instance after taking blood from a patient they will wrap this around the arm to hold the gauze in place instead of adhesive tape. It sticks to itself and is very grippy. I tried it and it works great, almost exactly what I’m looking for. I was amazed at how well it gripped. The only problem is that it isn’t clear so I can’t use it for squaring up.

There’s a quilt show in my area this weekend, hoping I can find one of the above mentioned items there.

I spray basting spray on the back of my rulers. Then I 'dry' wipe most of it off. After that, It doesn't slip.

For squaring up HST's you cannot beat the Bloc-Loc rulers. A few years back, Santa (aka DH) got me a set of three and I can square up HST's from 1 1/2 inches to 6 1/2 inches. I love them!

I love my little 4.5, especially when paired with my small rotating cutting mat! A few years ago, l purchased 3 creative grids rulers in a set sold by Joann's. Included was the 4.5". 10.5 " and 12.5" . I've since lost the 10.5" in a move 😒. The 2 remaining are used constantly. I don't use grips, instead l have my cutting table set not too high, so l can easily apply some downward pressure. When trimming sewn blocks, l find doing one at a time the most accurate method.

I've never had a problem cutting myself badly using a ruler. I don't, however, use a ruler smaller than 6 1/2". The all have markings, if I want to cut smaller, I use the 6 1/2" ruler and just use the lines for a smaller ruler. It saves buying and storing so many rulers and as someone else said, you can see more that just that little square. I like that.

As to the drama, I guess I've worked with tools more and cutting myself causes no drama here. A bit of peroxide, slap and bandaid on it and I'm good to go. The only time I had any problems was when I sewed my finger and broke the needle off inside. I did have to go to a doc to have it removed, but I finished the jacket first! lol

I like to use the Bloc-Loc rulers when doing HST/flying geese/log cabin etc that they have rulers for. For squaring up regular blocks that I can't use the Bloc-Loc rulers for because they contain a mixture of blocks and I can't use the ledge to line them up, I use the Lori Holt Trim It Rulers Trim It Rulers Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs - Bee In My Bonnet. I like to have the size of my block. Just center it on with the ruler markings and trim. They also have rectangle sizes as well.

I have not afforded this one yet, but it makes sense to me to make two cuts and then press it open (for half square triangles). It comes in a several versions. For instance one is for whole and another is for 1/2 inch increments, I believe. I copied this from the Missouri Star website to explain the Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer. It looked interesting to me when I saw it demonstrated at Quilt Festival in Houston.

The Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmers are an easy, efficient, and accurate way to square up half-square triangles. Simply align the seam of an unpressed half-square triangle with dashed lines and trim all four sides. The edge slots allow you to trim off the dog ears at the same time! It can also be used for squaring up hourglass quilt blocks, strip piecing half-square triangles, strip-tube quilt lock constructions, and fussy cutting. The B2 trims full inch sizes from 1" to 10".

I really like using my accuquilt for half sq. triangles and quarter sq. triangles. When you spray starch your fabric and load it in the right direction, they are very precise. Also the cut off dog ears create a nice blunted starting sew line for you instead of having to deal with pointed fabric ends. In some cases, like in doing multiple 2 1/2" half square triangles, it is a god send, as they have a die that makes 6 triangle squares at a time, and I always lay 4 pieces of fabric on in a pass,, I get 24 HST in a single pass.

I know we were talking rulers, but I thought I would inject that as well, as what we are aiming for is accuracy in the end.
Also, I should note when it comes to squaring up larger squares (over 6") I like using the perfect size square ruler as well.
But would like to mention that I find doing so with small size rulers is much more difficult as there tendency to move is much greater the smaller they are. If you still want to do this with one of the smaller sizes, then I would get sandpaper type of tape and put it on designated square rulers used just for the purpose of squaring up. Just buying a cheap set of square sizes with the sandpaper tape will serve you well, and your fabric is guaranteed not to move.

One other consideration is the mat your using. The surface material used on a mat is a big factor in the fabric not moving on the board as well. I several different mats, but the Olfa is the winner when it comes to grabbing the fabric and not letting it slip. If you don't have one, I would get their 12" x 18" one. They are a reasonable price and good for squaring up a lot of block sizes.

I agree. I find the extra size and weight of a larger ruler gives me more area to hold down the ruler so I get better precision.

Leslie

I've had hundreds of 4 patch blocks lately for a scrap quilts and so I've ordered the 4.5 Creative Grids ruler from Amazon. I have several rulers that are larger and would have done the trick, but I would have had to move and turn a larger ruler to the point of driving me crazy for this many blocks. This old woman (70) is a firm believer in using whatever makes things easier for me.