One of my favorite rulers for trimming scraps is my 4 x 8 inch omnigrid ruler.

I'm sure I could cook with one spoon and one measuring cup, but I love having varieties of both on hand for different circumstances. I rather resent the specialty ones mentioned, but that said I'm taking a class in the X block next week and know I will buy one when I get there even though I'm not that crazy about the look of the sample. I'm taking it because I want to take one of my guild's classes and looking forward to time with my new QB there - it's about an hour away from me, so we don't get together much. So, the question is: NEED or WANT? That's the big question in quilting as in life.:o

I have bought rulers on a whim and have never used them, like the x box ruler.
Three rulers I use all the time are my 6x12 6x24 and QIAD triangle square up ruler.
Also use my 16 in square ruler for squaring up my quilts before putting on the binding.

When you stop and think about the quilts that our GrandMother's made without them..then I would have to say no. I don't know why we all think that we have to quilt at the speed of light but we do have cool tools to make it happen. I love gadgets and rulers especially...but I am guilty of not using them like I should and they are NOT cheap. I am trying to make my way through them and either keep them or pass them on..BUT its not as easy a task as it sounds. Each one of them will make you a master quilter and there is a technique..it takes time to get involved with them..I know that the process will be worth it when I find the time to get around to it. =)

I'm the odd ball.. im gonna say YES....

only because im the type that likes the latest and greatest (not to say they are all used equally- i do have my favorites and not so favorites) But there are a few that i realized i didn't need after i used them, but im glad I DID get to use them and make that choice for my self.... and then there are some that I just love, and some i hate... then there are some that are just convenient when working something specific.. I like all different ones, not one BRAND is my favorite.. Creative Grids with the dots confuse me but holds the fabric great without the ruler slipping- BIG PLUS.. O'lipfa makes great straight cuts, the lip keeps my ruler straight along the edge- BIG PLUS... Rulers with the Yellow lines, or green lines, or grey lines can be hard to see thru specific fabrics so depending on what im working on will determine the color of the lines on my rulers... I have all the square rulers for squaring up any size i need, Pairs up well with the rotating cutting mat..And then there's the over sized square up block ruler- great for bigger blocks 12-20inchblocks.. then I have Ruler handles for the 'bigger' ruler to help hold them.. Circles, HST's, sqs, Specialty rulers- Ive got what ever tickles my fancy...


.... and yes, i do have quite a few that are still in its original packaging.. Its there just in case i need it.. I use alot of 50% off coupons so its not to expensive.. So IMHO Why do without?

I think the 24" x 6" is the most essential ruler, which seems to be the general view. I have a couple of basic square rulers, but my specialist rulers have come as birthday or Christmas gifts which I have put on my wish list.

This post made me chuckle, I have been going thru all my fabric and gadgets,, My girlfriend and I always have to have the same things, well we are both guilty of buying rulers that we end up not using... I came across two of the same ruler that had not even been taken out of the wrapping. She said you must of really needed that one..... if you bought two.. LOL In answer to your question, no you don't need all those rulers.. I use my 8.5 x 24, 6x 12 and my two square up rulers.

The Creative Grids Quick Trim ruler is 12.5" x 3.5" and all quilters should have one. It does a LOT! Not only is it a ruler, it's also a compass, you can use it for flying geese and attic windows. You can also use it for perfect mitered bindings you can machine stitch (on say placemats) made by bringing your fabric from the back to the front. Also, you can trim your border or binding strips on the 45 before sewing them together and so many other things.

I love tools of all kinds - sewing, quilting, woodworking, kitchen. It doesn't matter, I love them all. But I don't buy them all. I buy what I believe I will use enough to get my money's worth from. If I make a lot of cutting errors trying to "make-do" with a general purpose ruler, I then buy the specialty ruler. Fabric is too expensive for bad cuts. Specialty rulers are cheap if you will use them repeatedly or enough to pay for them.

I don't have many rulers, but I cannot get along without my steel square ruler. It is about 18"one way and 24"the other. I use it to square up the corners of my quilt when I am finished quilting and am ready to bind it.