I've done it both with and without. I like the ruler in the fact that it has the lip that catches on the paper and you don't have to guess. And you can instantly see if you have enough seam allowance. Sometimes the paper and seams get in the way and you "think" you can make it until it comes of out of the wash with a frayed seam showing. But its like anything else..you can do it without it.

You arent the only one !! (SHHHHHHH)

me too. :)

I am not an expert but you can use any ruler and measure 1/4" but at the same time if you have the add a 1/4" ruler it does make it easier. I have done both ways.

I do a lot of paper piecing and I think the Add-a-quarter ruler is invaluable. Can you do it without? Sure. You don't need a quarter inch foot, several rotary cutter rulers, or even a seam ripper. But all those tools make the job easier, and you'll find that the cost of the ruler ( which is not that much ) is not where to draw the "I don't need this tool" line!

I have the 1/4" and the 1/8" ones and also the 1/4"-12" long one...love them all and wouldn't be without them.l

Thanks!I will watch these

I agree with thimblebee...I love to paper piece but just use scissors to cut off the extra material. Also, am making one now that I'm using a thin cheap muslin (or anything really). Draw my patterns on that and after making the piece just leave the fabric in place - NO ripping off paper. Am trying to find something that will help speed up getting the pattern on the material (have been hand drawing on light board) - won't go thru copier like paper. Have fun!

I don't use a special ruler and my paper piecing comes out alright.
Mariah.

I use my 18 x 3 ruler and it works just fine. I usually cut 1/2" and trim it off after the blocks are sewn. You are using the guide line on your paper for a seam line anyway. I fine the 1/2" easier to handle, and trim each seam as soon as I get it sewn. Works for me and I love the control the paper piecing gives me over points.

Paper piecing is my favorite and I always use the add-a-quarter ruler. I think it saves time and the seam is always accurate.

Thimblebug6000 and I do the same thing. Grab the scissors and slice off 1/4 inch. I also use a rotary cutter and one of my cutting rulers. Many of the gadgets are very helpful and usually save time, but are not really "necessary", just more convenient, and likely faster and more accurate.

For me quilting is the enjoyment of the process. I do become somewhat possessed with sewing blocks together and have to remind myself it is the process that I enjoy, not the number of projects I complete.

amh

I like my add a quarter ruler. But I could do it without it also.
hevemi told us about freezer paper piecing. You can use ordinary paper, also. You can make up to 20 blocks with the same piece of paper, and never have to rip off any paper. It's called Paperless Paper Piecing, and is very simple. When you fold the paper back on the stitching line, just keep it there and sew on that line against the edge of the paper. Then you can cut off your seam allowance with the ruler or not, and go ahead and fold the next seam back, put on the new fabric and sew against the edge of the paper. We had a demo of this at our September quilt club meeting, and I was quite fascinated by it.

I did a paper pieced bed runner. The add-a-quarter ruler was for me a necessity. It took the guesswork out of having to remember whether I did an extra quarter on this one or that one. It fit perfectly. When you tuck the
pattern back to cut, put a business card behind it and then fold it. The add-a-quarter rulers abuts right up again the business card and makes the cutting so much easier.

I believe Carol Doaks has the best instructions for paper piecing. I watched several different videos and tut's and came up with messes. I absolutely love the way Carol Doaks presents her tutorial. And as for the add a 1/4", not really necessary, but I wouldn't be without it. When I can't find it I panic. I only have a little one, didn't cost much at all. And now paper piecing is what I enjoy and do the most. So as for me and my add a 1/4", I wouldn't be without it. Just makes it so much easier, and I don't slip at all. JMO

I've been paper piecing for at least 8 years and I still don't have the add a quarter ruler. I'm not going to get it either.

These blocks came out beautiful and perfect without a special ruler. The whole point of paper piecing is perfect points without worrying about the seam allowance.



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Hi Scrappy, I paper piece all the time and though the add a quarter inch rulers aren't essential, they make it so much easier and neater

I received Carol Doak's paper piecing DVD from my mentor here on the board and bought the 1/4" ruler. It makes paper piecing so much easier. She also uses a postcard that she tapes to her 1/4" ruler. It makes paper piecing go so fast. You might find her on YouTube demonstrating her method. It's awesome!!! I tried paper piecing without the ruler and was discouraged. After watching the DVD, I can paper piece pretty easily. Thanks mentor for the DVD!! You are awesome!!!!!!

I am new to quilting and I would think that little ruler would be quite helpful. I think I am going to buy one when I find it.

Happy quilting! Annie:o

You can use a regular ruler but the Add-A-Quarter Ruler makes it so much easier and faster to trim off and make your new seam allowance. I used a regular ruler for many years and then got the Add-A-Quarter Ruler for Christmas last year. Wow, it sure makes a difference for me.

I have been paper piecing for about a year and a half. I don't use any ruler! I just eyeball it and fold the paper, cut off the excess of the prior fabric piece and keep going. I've done hundreds of paper pieced squares. The scrappy quilt that is my avatar is paper pieced. I even made a full size bed quilt that had more than 20 pieces per block.

I do a lot of paper piecing. While the add a quarter ruler isn't necessary it is sure nice to have. It makes trimming up the blocks so much easier and faster. I would hate to paper piece without it.

If you plan to do a lot of paper piecing, splurge on the add-a-quarter ruler. You can use any rulerr but the add-a-quarter makes things easier and it's not expensive.

I just completed my first paper pieced block yesterday and used my regular quilting rulers. My block came out great!

I use my regular Quilting ruler as it has a 1/4 inch marking on it.
Carol in Delaware

I bought both sizes. I thought it was a good investment. I do use them all the time for other things as well.

I have practiced with paper piecing too and I never had a 1/4 ruler. Just be careful. No big deal.

I am on my first PP'ing project right now. I did not purchase anything extra. Printed the pattern from the internet, grab my fabrics and thread. Watched a few videos too.

the pattern I am using has the 1/4 lines right there to guide me.

I llike paper piecing and have always used a regular ruler for trimming with no problems.

Haven't read all posts yet but when I did paper piecing they didn't have add-a-quarter rulers. I did the same thing.Works fine.

Not necessary, but nice to have. I've done lots of paper piecing with regular rulers.

I use my 6" square that is marked with 1/4 inches, and never have a problem. I feel like the "add on" rulers are not necessary. All of our quilting rulers have the 1/4 inch marks and can be easily used in paper piecing.

One of the things that always impresses me about quilters is their ability to do a lot with a little. Most of the tools that are around are great and make quilting easier, but we can do without most of them. I would decide if I'm going to do a lot of pp before I spend my money on the special ruler. That is, unless, you can get it for Christmas:)