Help..need new quilting rulers and templates....
 

Hi..I'm 25 years old and new to quilting and I love it.. I have been taking classes at my local high school and have learned so much.. But what I haven't learned is how to make and or have someone make me some different acrylic rulers or template.. I've been to Joann and Walmart and I've also checked out so many quilt shop online and one thing they have in common is how expensive those rulers are.. If anyone has some ideas I would love some feed backs... Thanks so much Maria :o

Welcome to quilting, you will enjoy it. One way to save on rulers is to use coupons for them or look for them on sale. Hobby Lobby, Joanns and Hancocks have sales all the time. Also check online for sales, Missouri Star Quilt Co. has a daily deal that has fantastic prices and specials. You do need a few basic rulers such as 12x12, 4x24 or 6x24. Good luck.

I agree that they are expensive. But, you really only need 2 or 3 good rulers to start. my favorites are 12x12 and 6x24. I also have (among a whole bunch of others) a 6x6 square up ruler that I use all the time. Like Texas Sunshine said there are good deals online - or maybe you could get one with a 50% off coupon at JoAnns. You sure don't need to get a ton of rulers all at once to start out with. I suppose you could have someone at a hardware store or hobby shop cut you some pieces of acrylic in the correct dimensions, but I'm not sure how you would get all the markings on there accurately. And if the quarter-inch and eighth-inch lines aren't right, you'll have a huge problem when cutting your fabric.

I think you're better off starting out with just 2 or 3 good quality rulers, all the same brand. I'm thinking of investing in the Creative Grids rulers. If I had to, I could get by with just a 6x24 and a 3.5x12 -- the ones I am always picking up to use. I would also invest in a June Tailor Shape Cut mat for cutting strips (makes the process easier and faster). I also used to like the EZ angle for cutting half-square triangles, but haven't done them that way in quite awhile.

I would say to go and buy you a sheet of acrylic and have Lows cut you the sizes out of it that you need
if you buy the sheet of acrylic from them they will cut them for free. Hope this helps and welcome to the board.

I have just bought a ruler at Joann's with 40% off cupon. If you have an iPhone you can download Joann's app and the store will scan it for discount. I am bad, I take my hubby with his phone so I can by two things at a time. I do not feel guilty because I know how high mark up they have On those things.

Go to http://www.hobbylobby.com/weekly/weekly.cfm and print out a 40% off coupon. If you have a smartphone, you can also just show the coupon, on that. The online coupon updates, on Sunday, so wait and print one out, for next week. You can use one coupon, per day. I hardly ever pay full price, from sewing supplies.

Connecting threads has rulers on sale for great prices throughout the year

Thanks so much for the great advise.. i do get really great coupons from joann on my iphone i just usually use it for fabric lol Yeah I'm not sure how I would get the markings on them either lol so I will def take everyone suggestions and just wait until I have a coupon then get some rulers...:thumbup:

Sometimes I find good deals on eBay and Craigslist......

Sign up at joann.com and they will send you flyers and coupons thru email and snail mail. You can sign up at hancockfabrics.com also and they will do the same. Hancock's will accept competitor coupons; Hobby Lobby will not. I don't know about Joann's, never tried it!

I use the Joann coupons . Just keep looking there's deals everywhere.

I have to say I use my 6x24 ruler the most. I like the Omnigrid, but whatever brand you choose, try to stick with that as you add to your collection. Welcome to quilting--it is a life long hobby!

Sign up for coupons on Joann's website and you will receive them via of your email.

You can check fabricdepot.com. They have some great prices on rulers.

I agree with the others that they are expensive, but you only need to buy them once in a long, long time. So, for that reason, they are a great deal---much longer lasting, for example, than going out to a restaurant.

Amazing isn't it, how "expensive" ruler seems that will last you for years but people will spend $5 for a cup of coffee or $20 for a meal (or more) at a restaurant that only lasts for a few hours without complaining or blinking an eye.

You don't have to pick between fabric OR ruler with those iphone app coupons!

As long as they have different numbers on the coupon (scan numbers) you can use more than one at a time - one coupon per item, though, as far as I know.

Also, the app coupons can be used over and over as long as they're still valid. I've used the one that's good all of October 4 times this month. So, if you use a coupon for a cut of fabric today, and it's the only one you have, go back tomorrow and use it again on the ruler you want, if it hasn't expired.

i have 6 1/2 x 6 1/2-------and-----6 1/2 x 24 1/2---these are the actual measuements of the rulers i do call them my 6x6 etc----just to be clear!!

My most commonly used rulers are 6.5x6.5, 5x24 and 3x18. I got along with only those three for several years.

great advice given so far... welcome to the board and happy quilting

Since you are new to quilting and have a limited budget, I'll share my secret with you. Don't tell anyone but I still use a yard stick to measure and cut. (available at any hardware store)(some give them away for advertisement) and I make my templates out of poster board. Just be sure to add the 1/4 inch seam allowance if the pattern hasn't already done it for you. Poor people have poor ways is what my mama always told me. I would say that I'm being frugal. heheheh!

I read a post some time ago about using clear (I guess) placemats from the Dollar Store or out of the craft section at cloth stores. I think they are technically used to decorate but they make sturdy templates. I intend to find some if I can keep my CRS from kicking in when I am in the store. But as everyone said you don't need a lot of rulers. Decide on which rulers you think are the most important for you and buy them gradually as your money permits. Don't forget coupons, sales, thrift stores and asking for them for presents (or gift cards to your favorite store).

I use my 6" x 12" ruler the most. It is easy to manuever and works for so many applications. I have almost worn mine out! Get some little dots (either sandpaper or grippy rubber) to keep your ruler from slipping. A couple swipes of a glue stick on the underside of your ruler will keep it from slipping also.

6x12 and 6x24 are the basics. A 12 in square up ruler is a great ruler as most of the squares I make are 12 in. It is also a good ruler for squareing up quilt corners then use the 6 x 24 on the sides.
I make alot of half square triangles so Quilt In A Days triangle square up ruler is a must for me.

I would allso add the June Taylor "Shape Cut Pro" for cutting 2 1/2" strips.

Creative Grids!!! They are the best to me as they have a gripper surface that WORKS to hold your ruler in place while cutting. Especially good for the long cuts. They are more expensive and cannot be found at Walmart and Joanns. BUT...a ruler is not something you replace unless it breaks some how. (not likely) 6x24 is a great all purpose ruler. Depending on what type quilts you like to make, you may want a 6x6 or 12x12 square up ruler or a speciality triangle ruler DO stay with one brand if you can as each brand will vary slighty from each other. I did start out if OminGrid rulers as they can be purchased at a wide variety of store that offer 50% off coupons. They are good rulers no doubt but after using a 3x6 Creative Grid ruler I am changing ALL mine to that. Good luck in what ever you decide.

There are several places online that have things pretty cheap.

http://www.createforless.com/
http://www.quilting-warehouse.com/index.html
http://jhittlesewing.com/visitor/index_jhs.html

Here's three to start you off.

I mainly use a 6 x 24 and a 15 x 15 square. You could ask for them as a gift for a special occassion. You could also join [email protected] is a group that people use to sell sewing items. Maybe someone has used rulers that they no longer want and would sell them to you at a reduced price.

Before buying check out different brands to see which are the easiest to read for you. I find the yellow rulers very difficult to read, as well as the clear with black writing. I find Kay Englands's Nifty Notions rulers in teal and pink easiest to read. Look at the True Cut rulers as well. Their custom rotary cutter rides on a raised edge on the ruler. The colors are similar to Kay's and the edge eliminates inaccuracy from tipping the cutter when cutting. They also sell little round stickers to put on which reduces ruler slippage. I have found only one shop that carried them. I wanted to try it before purchasing and loved them and highly recommend them for accuracy.

I suggest starting with the 6x24 size. If you fold your fabric in half, selvage to fold, it will cut your strips accurately. Take some time to look around. It is good to have your basics all the same brand. Rulers are an investment and will last for a long time. Choose what works best for you, don't just settle for the cheapest

I tell my kids all the time "I was green before it was cool, we just called it poor". I too still use my ruler and a yardstick more than anything. I still use scissors and newspaper patterns, I don't have a rotary cutter or mat. I am thinking of going to Harbor Freight and getting a carpet cutter for $5, if the replacement blades fit a rotary cutter, what's the difference. I do have a June Taylor square I use for rag quilts but otherwise I just use what I have. I plan on picking things up a little at a time, as I find them.

I like the Olfa brand rulers.....one major issue to keep in mind is DO NOT CLEAN them with acetone, it removes the markings....ask me how I know !!!! Got spray basting all over mine favorate 12 x 12".....:(.....another nice thing to have for your new rulers is a handle to help pick it up and the little dobers (looks like a 1/2" circle of hot glue) you can put on the underside to keep them from sliding on the fabric, very helpfull.....

I love CG rulers, too. But I like to use smaller rulers for a lot of things and find that their ? 6 x 9 does not have 1/8th inch markings!!
I agree that a few simple rulers are best and you can make your own templates!

I had some plexiglass cut for a home project and ended up with a piece left over so had the shop cut it into a 3 x12" and 9.5 x 24". They work OK but the commercial rulers are so much better.

duplicate post - sorry

You can buy acrylic at Home Depot and a scoring knife and make your own templates, would recommend you make sure your sand your edges to make them smooth for both your hands and the fabric !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I, too, use those coupons mailed to me, AND the one I use from my smartphone. Joann's does have a huge markup...My floor OttLite quit a couple of weeks ago. I called OttLite for the name of an authorized repair person here in Michigan..she instead told me of the 3 things it could be, and she could send me the parts...my talents do NOT lie in taking lamps apart, so she said she would recommend buying a new one. She could sell me a new one for $50...wow, and at Joann's they are $199...soooooo I bought from her! As far as rulers, I use the 6x24 and 12x24 Creative Grid. Love those white dots to hold the fabic in place. So, use up those coupons, and a big huggy welcome to quilting! It is my passion, and I always have something in my hands.

I have just the OLIPFA 5x24 inch ruler to which I added an inexpensive suction cup handle to. It works great. I usually also use it to square up my blocks. I have had my DH cut plexi on his table saw, but the cuts need to be pretty exact. These I use just for squaring up. Happy Quilting!

If you think that the rulers are expensive, just wait. You haven't seen nothing yet. I'm just glad I got all of my quilting tools and fabric stash before I retired. Of course I didn't stock up on batting.

If you have a Tuesday Morning near you, check them out. The last time I was there I purchased several rulers and saw a lot more. My favorite ruler from there is my 2x18. I use it alot more that I thought I would. And it was $2. I also picked up a 3 pack of 6" sq for $6. I also got a new cutting mat with a handle and a 6x12 ruler with it for $10. They also have fat paks too. Pretty nice fabrics too.

In my area JoAnns & Hancocks will take each others stores coupons. Might try that. I;ve noticed there is a new ruler out that has a 'frosted' look that is easy on the eyes.