I use the sandpaper dots on the back of all my rulers. This prevents them from slipping.
Probably cutting on the floor puts you at an odd angle which doesn't help.
Try cutting on a table so you can get a better angle at holding the ruler in place.
Hold the ruler with your hand, then hang your pinky off the edge of the ruler to keep it from sliding.

I use these, too, although I don't cut them up. I have tried the film but don't think it works as well as the dots.

When I use a long ruler such as the 4 by 36 " size, I use those large clamps (made out of plastic and with release lever on the inside handle). This ruler has a lip so it goes on the side closest to me and the clamp goes on the opposite side of the ruler. Works great. The clamps work well with some of my other rulers. They hold down the ruler and the cutting mat to the cutting table well. Depending on the size and shape of the ruler, I use one or two. The clamps are found in hardware stores, chain stores such as Lowes or Home Depot. A bit unorthodox, but it works for me.

Invisigrip the length and width of the ruler, "walk" your fingers up as you cut, and use one of the shower grip thingies as a handle. All those things help...but I still get it wrong! Good lighting also helps!!

I bought every gadget I could find to keep the ruler from slipping. I went to a class and the instructor led off with "don't let your ruler slip by running your rotary up above where your hand is anchoring" it. Dah. I am sure we all know that but I was always "zipping" my rotary up to the end of the ruler thinking I had enough pressure to keep from slipping. Now when I cut I go a little slower and adjust my hand on the ruler, what a difference.

I use the sandpaper dots. I also bought one of the suction handles they sell in Walgreens (the kind used to help you get out of the shower, etc) http://www.activeforever.com/p-26042...FQ84nAod-SAAPg

This is what I do. I also put the pinky finger of my left hand on the fabric to the left of the ruler to help stabilize it. And I use TrueGrips on my rulers. This seems to work for me.

Keeping your fingers spread and staying on your fingertips,and fingers slightly bent,close to edge of ruler and as you cut, move your fingers down, sort of like a spider walking,the ruler so they are parallel to your rotary cutter----I also keep my little finger off the ruler, but right up against it to insure that it won't move and get off the floor!

Love these!!!!!!!

The tip about keeping 2 fingers on the fabric is true. You will have to "walk" your fingers along the ruler as you cut; do not hold it in one place and cut way beyond where you are trying to cut. Try to cut shorter distances and walk your fingers along the ruler.

I invested in Invisigrip and put is on all my rulers. After a short time it became frosy appearing and then began falling off the rulers and not sticking. I pulled it off and threw it away. I do no like the sand paper dots nor the clear dots because then the ruler is not sitting right on the fabric and I don't feel accuracy in cutting is achieved. the spray baste idea seems messy and sticky to me, although I may give it a try. I read this post with interest, hoping there was something I have not tried. I liked the invisigrip when it was new, but it gets old pretty quickly. Has anyone else had this problem?

When I first set out to buy supplies for quilting, "in error" I bought a ruler with a "edge" or a "lip" on one end. It is just slight enough to hold on to the cutting mat. I can not cut without now. I have since bought many other rulers to try and I always go back to my "lip" ruler.

I just bought the sand paper dots to place on rulers so they don't slip. Work great. I have the same problem as you. It is frustrating especially when I am cutting a long piece. Try these. Don't remember what I paid, I think it was 5$ but worth it.

I was just at Road to California & saw this demonstrated & brought one. It works great without all the pressure of a knee & one arm. I just cut 43 fat quarters into strips without one slip. WWW.quilterssslidelock.com

Me too. Got an accuquilt Go for Christmas & loveit but still there are some things you have too cut. Have also done Jan,s trick & used my whole arm. I've lose so much strength in my hands from carpel tunnel :(

A few dots from a hot glue gun works also.

I also bought one and cut some lovely strips with it. I bought the green (lighted) one. It's doesn't have batteries, but the acrylic is green and sort of glows.

It is not a stupid question, as there is no such thing, only a stupid person who doesn't ask! It is also a query with all quilters as you will see from all the replies.

I am lucky 'cos here in the UK the original non slip rulers were invented: http://www.creativegrids.com/ I don't know if you can get them over the pond or what price they would be but to me they are impressive and do work. The built in non slip points on the under side really work and for me I love their clear Black/White markings.

I have a cutting mat on a table and use my long ruler - anchored at one end with a spring hand clamp from Walmart. It holds it really well - and if I need a really long cut, I will use another spring hand clamp (so there is one on each end of the ruler holding the material and ruler tight to the cutting mat - and then cut. Works great for me.

Marysewfun

I just looked at this and it looks like a pretty neat invention, :-)

Marysewfun

I have their new log cabin ruler and I love it. I wish all my ruler were like it. I'm not about to replace all my rulers so I use the sandpaper dots. If I need any new ones I will more than likely get the Creative Grids rulers.

I have Invisi Grip on the back of my rulers and have been very happy with it.

I use that grip stuff (not sure what it's called) that you use in drawers to keep them from slipping. You can attach it with a drop of glue on the ruler.

I have also used those window grippy things that you get a Harbor Freight and put them onto the ruler.

Just saying ............

Blessings. Ellie

I love my creative grids rulers and have a variety of them. Certainly worth the money.

I've already commented, but one more thing, I don't cut vertical away from me, but horizontal away from me, its easier on my hip, and I have a steady control, also have used the suction cups on larger rulers sometimes.

I tried all the different things to hold my ruler but finally gave up. Now I stand over my ruler tall enough to hold it down firmly and walk my hand up the ruler as I cut. This works better than any thing Ive tried. Do have to use a small stool to stand on.

I like ube quilting's idea, it seems that little flip of fabric would give the ruler something to hang onto. When I made my tree skirt with a wedge type ruler it stated right in the pattern to apply packing tape (thin clear tape) in several spots on the back of the ruler. Apparently the stickiness at the edge of the tape is enough to grip. It worked, and I peeled it off afterward so I wouldn't store a messy template.

I have Invisi-Grip on some of my rulers and also have the sandpaper dots (cut in half) on others. Another thing when you are cutting a strip longer than 12", make sure to only cut when you have your other hand holding the ruler right next to where you are cutting. As you push past where your hand is holding the ruler, stop cutting, walk your fingers away from yourself to the next portion, continue cutting, stop cutting, move your fingers again, until you get all the way across.

The problem I have with the sandpaper or other solutions that keep the ruler from moving is that I need to be able to slide the ruler along the fabric to get it where it should go - for those tiny little movements, moving over just a smidge, the sandpaper doesn't allow for these small adjustments.

Any ideas as to how to solve this?

I have Invisigrip on mine but it doesn't work as well as I need it to ( severe carpal tunnel in both hands- surgery on 1 next week).
so after following this thread I applied hot glue dots to the ruler I use most often (after I took the Invisigrip off).
It works great! I only need it when I can't use my Go, but will have to apply to my other rulers too
thanks for the tip :)

I find that it helps if I lean forward slightly so that my arm is straight up and down. That way my weight is pressing down vertically rather than at an angle.

Another trick is to go Harbor Freight and get the gizmo used for pulling dents out of a car. They are about 2.99 and come in two sizes. It acts as a suction cup on your ruler and you can hold the ruler down with one hand while cutting.

I tried this and didn't think it worked well.

Me, too, and for the same reason. Also spray baste the back of the ruler so that it grips the fabric.

Baste spray is only messy when you spray the ruler. It is sticky, so I take a scrap of cloth and rub it over the ruler back, test it, rub again, test it until it is just right.

I have just purchased a pack of Grip Strips from Guidelines4quilting.com. They let your ruler slide over the fabric but when you push down on the ruler to cut they grip really well. I love them.

Just wondering how tall your cutting table is and where the actual top of the table hits your body so that your arm can be in a straight up/down position, Thanks

I have clear plastic dots that I got at Joann's. I put one in each corner of all my rulers. they work great!