Help! Am I using this product wrong?
 

Being a new quilter, I am still learning how to use all the products out there for quilters, but this one's got me beat. I am doing a kit quilt, and have to cut out 120 3x6 flying geese to fit together accurately in the main body of the quilt. I tried using the recommended ruler to cut them to no avail--I couldn't make them accurate. So I tried the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese ruler, but still couldn't keep the ruler from sliding. OK, so I ordered online some Invisigrip which is supposed to keep the ruler from sliding. It came this afternoon, applied it to my ruler and to my dismay, the ruler is as slick as ever! The invisigrip sticks good to the ruler, and as far as I can tell, can only be applied one way--it doesn't stick on the other side. Slick as ever. Have I wasted money on this product, or am I doing something wrong? At this point I feel it's bad enough to warrant a refund. Any suggestions or comments? Thanks, Connie

Do you have any rubber cement? A drop on each corner is supposed to make a ruler grip better. What I've done with mine is to use the cabinet door bumpers that come with Ikea cabinets and glued those to my ruler. (Ikea's are really flat, so they don't raise your ruler off the fabric.) I think you can also glue small circles of sandpaper to your ruler.

This may sound like a weird question, but are you placing the side of the ruler with the invisigrip next to the fabric? I have it on my rulers and they don't usually slip EXCEPT when using the 6 x 24 and then I still have to walk my hand up the ruler as I cut.

i'm not familiar with the invisigrip. if it is dots, is there a separate piece covering the side that is supposed to be next to the fabric... does it need peeling off?

Small drops of hot glue from a glue gun work!

Yes, I have the right side of the ruler to the fabric, but the backing is slick. Is there something else to peel off?

Little sandpaper dots are fantastic. My mother-in-law gave me a small baggie of them. They are paperbacked. Just peal the paper off and stick it to the ruler.

I found that the invisgrip helps slightly. Creative Grids rulers are pretty good about not slipping but I think all of them will slip some. Even my June Tailor ruler with the slits has started slipping!

The only thing to peel off on Invisgrip is the paper backing. I'm sure you did that. Invisigrip is not fool proof by any means. I like it better than any other method I've tried but it is not perfect. You have to really learn to keep you hand near where you are cutting. With long rulers you have to walk your hand as you cut.

I'm no fan of the dots either. They raise the ruler up oddly and make things difficult for me. I have them on some rulers and do use them, but I don't love them.

i've had invisagrip on my rulers for years- it helps- it really takes learning to hold your ruler - nothing is (fool proof) for keeping your ruler from sliding beyond learning the best way to use it.
(spider web) your fingers out across the top of the ruler with your pinkie on the outside-along the side of the ruler-on the table-holding the ruler secure- and as long as you have a nice sharp blade in your cutter you do not have to push hard along the edge of the ruler- it just takes some practice & will become (natural) to you as you do it more & more- with better results all the time- i've tried lots of different dots, sandpaper, felt, rubber...nothing has worked any better than the invisigrip- and i prefer it over the other options because it is see through- all the other items either cover up or distort lines somewhere.

It's probably your cutting technique as much as anything. Put your little finger off the edge of the ruler.

? Did you Cover the Whole Surface of your rulers OR only Parts of them? I've Got My Rulers coverd with Invisagrip And have Never had a problem such as you describe, Except every once and awhile I wash them with plain water to refresh the 'gripness' :)

I use 6x24 ruler for just about everything . It is fiskars I believe and the marked side slips less. The non marked side is like a skating rink. If I have to cut a long strip, I place my hand in the middle of the ruler with the ball of my hand, thumb, and index and middle finger applying the pressure to the ruler. It helps if you do not push your rotary cutter too much against the ruler but rather glide alongside it. If you put too much pressure with your cutter along the side of the ruler either top or bottom side will slip. It takes practice, absolutely, and this is what works for me. When I get tired or rushed, forget it. All my cuts are wonky. Keep at it, take a deep breath, sip of wine and enjoy. You'll be a pro in no time. Happy quilting.

This will work for you: http://quiltersslidelock.com/

It will keep the ruler steady and prevent cutting accidents. I don't know why anyone would use a rotary cutter without a safety guard or glove.

There is another one called Rule Steady that is very good but it's made in Australia and cost much more.

I haven't added grippy things to my rulers, and occasionally I get slippage and cursing, but two things that I have found useful: a ruler with a lip at the end that goes over the top edge of your mat (so you can gently pull backwards on it to help keep it steady, like a T-square), and leaning on my ruler with my whole forearm when I am cutting slippery fabrics or multiple layers. This last tip can be tough on your back if you are doing a lot of cutting, but does work well!

I also agree that with practice you will find ways that work for you.

Good luck!

Alison

I feel like Invisagrip helps a lot. I bought a new ruler and couldn't figure why it was sliding. Duh, it didn't have Invisagrip. I thought I was going to like dots of rubber cement, but they picked up lint quickly and didn't help and looked terrible.

I took a piece of sandpaper and put double sided scotch tape on it, then took a paper punch and punched small dots and then applied them to the underside of my rulers

get the clear or sandpaper dots, you can get them at joanns. just apply them to the back of the ruler. They have worked wonders for me

Also sometimes if you use to big of a ruler that might be why as well

I use the sandpaper dots or squares and find they work really great. Always used sandpaper under my fabric when in the old days we cut out templates with scissors.

True Grip dots work really well and they are very thin. They have more of a rubbery feel.

I've tried hot glue, sandpaper dots, all kinds of stuff, and finally developed a technique of holding the ruler down with my thumb and my pinky finger going over the edge of the ruler, and my other 3 fingers pressing down on the ruler. This worked great.

Until I discovered Steady Betty strips. Holy moly, those things are awesome. They're about a quarter inch wide and 4 inches long, and I cut one in 3 pieces and stuck it on my ruler. That sucker doesn't go ANYWHERE anymore. Of course, now I have to pick the dang thing up, I can't slide it across my fabric to make the next cut.... :D

ArtsyOne has the ticket. Go to Wal-Mart and pick up some Elmer's rubber cement. Its clear when dry and you can peal it off with your finger if it gets dirty and it's gone. It's in the school supplies section and it's CHEAP. Doesn't take long to dry

I prefer a different method entirely. I use a June Taylor 1/2" Shapecut. If I am making 2.5" strips, I can make 4 accurate cuts without moving the ruler. Oddly enough, although the now deceased former prexy and teacher for our guild introduced them, most memebers of the guild don't use them and never have. This is really a matter of taste.

I find the little rubberised slip dots to be the best to apply to the rule. Either that or cut out little squares of sandpaper and stick them to the back of your rule in a few places.

I am a new quilter also. Only on my second quilt but also had the problem with the ruler sliding. I bought the sandpaper dots and the work well. You have to make sure you put enough on the ruler though.

I use invisigrip on some of my rulers and have not had any problems.

this is my favorite, works so well you have to lift the ruler to move it to a new position

I love True Grips. They are rubberized clear thin circles so you can still see through them once they are on the ruler. They work great in preventing the ruler from sliding. Sandpaper dots are also nice but they do obstruct your view since they are not see-through plus they do wear down after a while :)

I'd always used these sandpaper dots.
A friend gave me invisigrip and I hated it; did not work
I'm back with my sandpaper dots
You can get them at Joann's

I bought Invisigrip too. A waste of good money as far as I'm concerned. Then I got some of the sticky dots....they work quite well. I have also used strips of double-sided scotch tape when I had a real issue. You have to replace it occasionally as it picks up lint from the fabric, but it works fine. Too many of the new sewing notions are just "money suckers". I'd rather buy fabric, and find something around the house to make do. You can find sticky dots at the Dollar store, too.

Is this better than the handle that sticks to the ruler that is available at Joanns?

This is also something I like to use when cutting long strips:
http://www.harborfreight.com/bath-sa...dle-96086.html

I use sandpaper dots, they work!!

I put strips of sandpaper on the side of my ruler that goes next to the fabric. works great. Do not slide the ruler, lift and place where you want it. It won't slide at all, even if you want it to.

I recently ordered the omnigrip 8 x 24 inch ruler and it really doesn't slip at all. When I see them on sale, I will try to replace some of my other rulers--great product.

I have never used invisigrip so I can't help you with that. However, here is my solution and it works pretty good. I have a couple of 3# hand grip weights that I put on the ruler. They are heavy enough to hold the ruler pretty firm, however, I still put my little finger on the edge of the ruler and move my hand up the ruler as I cut.

The dots HELP but the secret is in holding the ruler with as much pressure as you can muster. Also, have your hand as close to the edge where you are cutting as possible.

I agree - I have tried a dozen different products and the sandpaper dots have worked the best IMHO. I usually put the dots at the corners of the rulers, but if needed they go on the edges too! My biggest problem while cutting fabric has been the slipping rulers, and the sandpaper dots have ended that problem - Now on to a different problem.....I have many!!!!

If you have Invisigrip on the fabric side of your ruler, the answer is probably in your cutting technique. Many people put way too much pressure on their ruler when cutting, causing slippage. Try for a completely vertical cutter that is aligned with the ruler, not tilted in either direction or canted toward or away from the ruler. The key is to exactly follow the ruler while putting almost no pressure on it with the cutter.

An ergonomic cutter, such as a Martelli may put your hand in a more comfortable position and allow more control over the cutter. I works for me.

I'd also recommend a book "Judy Martin's Ultimate Rotary Cutting Reference" as a good one to have around and learn from.

The rest is just practice, and a lot of it.

Good luck!