I was thinking the same thing.

No, it's not bad, it's just the way you sew. I know several times (not necessarily quilts) I haven't bothered measuring fabric, by that I mean with a ruler. I compare a piece I want to cut to one I already have cut and trim the second to match the first. Or I'll think "I want this to be about this long (and lay out the fabric and cut it) and I want to cut it into four pieces (so I fold it in half twice and cut along the folds).

I've thought about this sometimes and decided that I AM measuring it - but instead of using a ruler to measure and transferring the size to the fabric - I'm measuring it with fabric. I don't do it this way as a rule, but sometimes. It's like playing the piano by ear and you can't read music. Here you're cutting by eye and you don't need a pattern. Further, some people can hear a piece of music once and play it, others can't. Some people look at a quilt and can't figure out how to duplicate without a pattern, you can. Ditto cooking.

This isn't better or worse, just different.

Tate

You know what? There aren't an quilting police and the only person you have to answer to is yourself. If you are getting the results you want then don't change a thing. If it ain't broke - don't fix it. If you want to learn to measure in order to take on a more detailed pattern in the future, sign up for a beginners class. Its all about you - you do what you want. :)

I am not sure I could piece a top without a ruler but if it works for you, that's great.

Try it...get a simple pattern, you don't have to "buy".... Visit your library or go "on line", a ruler, rotary cutter, cuppa, and read and do.....you will surprise yourself and open a new horizon for yourself......change can't to did!

If you are HAPPY, then go for it. You will find that some on this board LIVE or DIE by the RULER, others LIVE or DIE by the WASH BEFORE YOU CUT moto. This is all just part of quilting, NO one way is the same for everyone.

My mom was a carpenter and couldn't measure. Yet she made really nice things! She would use a ruler but she would say, "It's 3ft - and 6 marks". If it wasn't a half and inch, it was so many marks. While I know the measurements she called marks, I still hear her in my head saying " It's so many marks". Thanks for making me think of Mom this morning.

I'm working on a quilt now that I only used the yard stick for cutting a straight edge. I have absolutely no idea how big it will be but I already love it. It's for my SIL -maybe-

I have been watching crafty free classes and even purchased a few to learn new
Things. They have a free class on sewing machine feet, I keptsaying (out loud)
WHO KNEW?? I'm learning how to use some feet I had no clue!! If you want to learn
There are lots of resources out there