A friend of mine back home in VA went to the little hometown hardware and had some cut for (12x12) for
a project we were working on. It might be something to check on if you live in an area with little hometown stores. Teresa

I had a bunch of sqs cut at my local hardware store, from 3" to 20" and it only cost me for the sheet. Pretty darn cheap and all cut to spec.

We are almost 2 hours from the nearest Lowe's so I just go to our local glass shop. They are very reasonable and I have only had one that was just a slight off but still usable. Not bad since they have done about every size I can think of for me .

I probably wouldn't try to mark one of these off like a commercial ruler, but if you have a plain plastic one that was cut for you, just lightly score one side for the markings you want - it is easy to do on plastic, just put a straight edge down and run your box cutter down several times - lightly - to make an indentation. Then you can take a permanent marker - fine point - and run it down the scoring. Make sure to give it plenty of time to dry and then you will have a marked ruler. Use a scrap piece to practice first.

And Home Depot would probably cut these for you as well as Lowe's.

I've also had odd shaped templates cut .... the first was an apple core!
(and yes, I explain the importance of precision, and it's no problem)

I've always gone to a local glass shop. The price has been minimal!

The Lowes here will cut squares or rectangles for me. Only some of the Home Depots will. Neither one will cut odd shapes. My brother cuts them for me on his band saw. Saves a lot of money. There is a template I wanted that was $35 my brother cut it out of a $3.98 piece of plexiglass. It is a template that would only be good for one particular quilt. I haven't tried the local glass shop for odd shapes.

Great news - thank you!

Great idea! Have both a Lowe's and Home Depot near me and will remember this tip. Also, if you need to mark off the 1/4" from the edge, have you tried using the removable 1/4" tape? Some folks use this to mark the 1/4" on their sewing machine plates so they can see it easily. Maybe worth a try? Thanks again for this tip.

When I want a specific 'ruler' cut, I make a paper template and take it with me to make sure the finished cut is right. First time the True-Value hardware guy did not compare the template with his finished cut--he was off on one side by 1/2". It was re-cut at no charge.
I draw lines on the top of the new 'ruler' then score with a utility knife, I then fill in the scratch with a fine point permanent marker. Lines are visible and work for me. That is how I made all my Twister rulers and also made a 10" ruler for layer cake cuts. Put cabinet door cushions on them so they do not slide around and you are in business.
Jan

Ladies have you ever thought to go to a glass company and ask for plexi glass templates. Some will cut them out of their scraps for nothing. I am lucky my brother owns a glass co and I work with a co that has a sheet metal shop and I have lots of templates in sheet metal and aluminun