Need a custom ruler?
 

I've been working on 3 Dear Janes in the Block of the Month http://www.quiltingboard.com/blocks-...n-t175669.html
Today, I went to Ace Hardware to have my custom tri ruler made. My tri's are 8.75" instead of 8". I took the original ruler and one of my printed blocks with the 1/4" seam allowance drawn on it. I also asked him to cut off the tips. It took him about 5 minutes and cost $4. After taking the picture, I decided that lines on the ruler would be nice. I've had a tool in my desk drawer for about 20 years that I've never really used. It's for scratching your name into your expensive metal/plastic electronics in case of theft. It has a very sharp point. A couple lines went crooked and I rescratched, but it turned out great. I did the seam allowances and the center line, which are the ones I've seemed to be using so far.

So if you need a custom ruler, they really are not that expensive!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]315150[/ATTACH]

What did your handy Ace man cut the ruler out of?

he called it plexiglass

Interesting ... I never knew they would cut something like that. Thanks!

Suzy

For those that are wondering ... plexiglass is the same material as the acrylic/plastic quilting rulers that we purchase.
Just the difference of brand names .... like kleenex and tissues!

I've had many templates done at my local glass shop ... same results as QuiltNNan ... low cost!
Even odd shapes, like the Apple Core.
I just take them the pattern of what I want and they do it for me ... and have always been accurate!
They need to be if they're cutting glass!! :)

wow, QuiltE, i would never think to take them something like an apple core. thanks

How thick is the plexiglass?

That was the first one that I had done ... and they said no problem!
I just couldn't fathom trying to cut them out using the thin template plastic ... I knew they would not be cut even and I'd probably cut my fingers as well!!!! ...... I then layered my fabrics several thicknesses, and zipped around that template in no time with a small rotary cutter. Smooth as can be!

Another hint ... you can have them drill holes into the pieces for you, for hanging on nails, or in my case, a set of ten pieces for a house pattern, then I was able to tie them all together as I knew it was risky to lose one piece, and not so likely the whole bunch would disappear if all together!


SueSew ... Plexiglass comes in different thicknesses. I just use the same as the rulers that we purchase.

Just thinks ladies... now we can bring some quilting business to the local Ace Hardware store in our community!!!!

I've been having shapes cut by my local glass guy for years. I get somewhere between an 1/8"-1/4" thickness of plexiglass. He's done a great job on all straight line shapes; tried but couldn't do curves accurately.

Too bad ... I just took a photocopy of the applecore and he had no problems. I'm lucky!!! :)

What a great idea!

Good to know . Thank you

I wanted a special size too and didn't want to use the thin plastic. Our local hardware store doesn't offer cutting service, but said we could score the plexiglass with a utility knife and it would break clean. So I bought a small sheet of plexiglass to try it. Well, the scoring/breaking didn't work very well. Then we tried a jigsaw and it worked great. I got the boys in the house involved - they love any excuse to get out the power tools.
Donna

LOL Donna!

Another GREAT hint!!! I should have thought of that. Although, I do have drills here that I use... I'm just afraid of breaking the ruler :)

I hadn't thought about it, but he saw one of mine with the hole and asked if I wanted it in the ones he was cutting. hhmmmmm great idea! :)

I'm like you, that I'd be apt to make them crack or shatter .... or would get the edge unevenly cut or worse still with a sharp edge that'd late cut me! This way he does the accuracy, and if it goes wrong, he re-cuts without me knowing. All the edges are polished smooth, just as they are with our "official" rulers!

Now if we could only come up with a way for the ruler/line markings to be included in all directions, just as the others have. I did ask if there was a way he could scratch/mark it in, but no. Yes, I know that we could put it on with a Sharpie or the like ... but the accuracy just wouldn't be so perfect plus I'd be worried the permanent ink might not be so permanent and no doubt would come off onto a white fabric! :)

I had them cut a template for me also. Worked great.

not knowing much about the dear jane stuff......why was the template from EZ not right, it was made for the Dear Jane project? Why did you have to have another, larger one made.....just curious.....am contemplating diving into the dear jane phemon and that is reason for this question....

Wow I didn't know that. Wonder if Lowes will do it too?

Wow - what a great thrifty idea!!! I have been thinking about getting a 3.5 square up ruler and I am going to Ace to have one made. If it is good, the next time I need a special template I am going to ask them first!!!

the EZ template is perfect if you are doing your DJ in the original size, which probably fits a full-sized bed. i wanted mine for a queen, so increased the sashing to 1/2" and the height of the tri's to 8.75.