I know we aren't supposed to tear fabric, altho I have seen some in fabric depts and even quilt shops who tear it. I have overcome this same problem by tearing, if the fabric is such that will tear. It has saved me a lot of time and my strips came out straight, most of the time. I did a lot of tearing when getting strips ready for my most recent Log Cabin Quilt.
Marta

I got a roll of Omnigrid InvisaGRIP at Hancock Fabrics. It's clear plastic which you cut slightly smaller than ruler and smooth on back of Omnigrid rulers. Works great and I assume would cling to other brands (although the scraps wouldn't cling to our remotes to keep them from sliding off the lamp table).

It's $12.95 some places but here's a cheap spot:

http://www.createforless.com/Omnigri...utm_medium=cse

Be sure your fabric is straight on grain, iron with starch and it will be easier. The key seems to be preparation of fabric.

Try starching and ironing your fabric. Cut better for me.

I put my cutting mat on my ironing board so that I can adjust the height. I always stand to cut as I like to be kind of over the cutting mat to create an even pressure on the ruler.

The no skid drawer liners are cheap and can be glued to the back of a ruler. they are no skid and won't mar fabric like sandpaper might.

Try the light weight clear vinyl sold at Hobby Lobby or Hancock's in the drapery dept. Comes on a roll, 54 inches wide, and 1/4 yard will cover the bottom of a lot of rulers. It's $2.99 a yard and 30% off at Hobby Lobby. I've got it on all my rulers to help them grip and not slide on my fabric.

Heavily starch your fabric before cutting - I use a June Taylor Creative Cut Ruler - It is slit every 1/2" - helps me make straighter cuts.

I just want to thank all of you for your tips. Penny

I got the ruller with the slits in it and my cutting improved tremendously. I just cut all of the strips for a queen quilt for DD and they came out great and it was much faster because you cut multiple strips before you have to move it.