Rotating mat and squaring up of blocks ???
 

I have about 50 1.5 inch HST's to square up. So I thought I'd make the task easier and buy a rotating mat(good excuse, right?) 40 percent coupon at least.
I don't have many specialty rulers. So I bought a 2.5 and a 9.5 square.
But now I'm not sure that the rotating mat is of any use in this application.
If I use either of those size rulers I still have to reposition. I was thinking I could just spin the whole thing around.
Also the 2.5 ruler "rocks" on the HST.
I've always just used my 6x12 ruler and moved it ALOT.

So my ???'s are do you need a square up ruler the finished size of the block to make the rotating mat worthwhile? That would be a lot of rulers.

I'm questioning my rather expensive purchase of the mat.
SVAL

There are blocks that you make multiple cuts across like cutting 2 diagonals across a square and the rotating mat is great for them. Not so useful for squaring up.
The rocking thing bugs me too. Maybe someone has a good solution for that.

I do find when I have that many HST's to square up the rotating mat does help. I just use my normal 24" ruler though. I don't have many specialty rulers. I have found that using the same ruler - or at least same brand ruler - throughout the quilt makes a difference. I place the 45 degree line on the seam line of my HST and trim from there. Still have some flipping of the ruler but spinning the blocks on the mat does make it easier for me.

The rotating mat made it a lot easier to square up HST's. I got a small one and use a ~6" square ruler. I thought the small square ruler was easier to use.

As long as you are working on HST's, let me enable you a bit more. Check www.blocloc.com & watch the video. No rocking! You can get a ruler that is bigger than the block size you will finish, so get one that is able to be used for your most often made blocks. As you will see in the video, you're going to slide it along the seam line to sliver trim, so a bigger one will work for different sizes. That said, I'd suggest one that isn't too much bigger than what you need - an inch or two is fine, but having a giant one for small blocks is more cumbersome. LOVE them.

this is a pretty nifty ruler! thanks for sharing

I agree with Cam's Gram. When I first bought the rotating mat, I didn't use it much. But when squaring up a lot of HST, I pulled it out and after using it a bit, I really like it. For me there was a learning curve to remember to turn the mat, not the block, when I was squaring!! Duh! And I really like a square ruler to square up (imaginge that!) especially one that is bigger than the block, so I can see how it measures and if it really is "square". For me, sometimes it is hard to see the edges when the ruler and block are the same size. I like a 6 1/2", e.g. for blocks less than that so I can see where exactly the block edges are. Just something to think about.:)

I don't have a rotating mat because they are SO OVERPRICED! You can do it easily with a smaller mat.

I know that others can cut perfect HSTs with their regular ruler, but not me! I really agree with the bloc loc ruler solution. They are pricey, but worth every penny. The channel makes it easy to position, it doesn't slip and as you mentioned, keeps it from rocking. While you can get away with the 6.5 inch size, and cut that size & anything smaller, I've been buying the other sizes as needed for specific projects. If I have to cut 100 HST for a project it's worth it to me to have the right size Bloc Loc ruler and my rotating mat. The job goes quickly and the accuracy is wonderful. I think the only place that sells all the sizes is the manufacturer, so no 40% off!

I have the 12.5 square rotating mat and use it a lot! Half price coupon made it affordable for me.