Rulers....do I really need all of them?
 

I consider myself fairly new to quilting (2 1/2 years). I love looking at patterns and deciding what to make (usually I start to make it don't finish it but that's another story). I have purchased several rulers lately to do certain patterns with but I have noticed that a lot of patterns now have a specific ruler that is needed. Do I really need these rulers or is it possible to use what I have? I have several rulers with different angles, in different sizes.

But my main question is, are all of these rulers really necessary? Also, what is really good ruler that I can get the most use of?

Kim

For the longest time I only had a long, 8''x24'' ish ruler. Long enough to do straight rotary cuts across a yardage of fabric. If it has angle markings on it, you don't really need any of the other rulers. But, getting more gadgets is always fun, and can help a lot. I bought a square ruler to help with squaring up my HST's and blocks, and found that things went so much more smoothly. I think basic rulers are always a good idea, and the specialty ones saved for if you have money to splurge. :)

My opinion is no, that said, does the "latest and greatest" really make a difference?

I use my 6x24 the most - I hear you about all these special rulers and find myself staying away from the patterns that require them unless I really fall in love with the pattern. I think the ease of use is one reason some buy every ruler- but if you have the angles and sizes covered by another ruler just use it :)
Like making a 5 inch square - that could be made by using the 6x24 ruler but would be a lot easier if you had a 5 inch ruler. So if you can make do with what you have go for it :)

It depends. I have my favorites even for straight cuts, and I have a few that sounded good the day I bought them - never to be used. The most recent purchase though was a Circle A Round ruler that I use to cut insetting circles. It works so well and I love it. That's why I think it depends. You need to know yourself well enough to know what you will use or if it just sounds fun.

I don't tend to use patterns that require a specific ruler. That said, I do have a number of the "basic" rulers.

8.5 x 24.5 - my usual go to ruler for cutting fabric
6.5 x 12.5 - great for when I need to work in tight spaces, measuring lots of stuff such as strip sets, etc.
6.5 x 6.5 - great for sizing units made from strips
9.5 x 9.5 - square up ruler
15 x 15 - square up ruler
1 x 6 - very old and great for trimming folded corner units
1 x 12 - same as above but irritatingly long when doing the trimming at my sewing table
Deb Tucker Wing Clipper - for my flying geese blocks (this was my Christmas wish list item)

Gee, that's a lot of rulers but I don't have a tremendous amount of space so find that the smaller rulers get a lot of use. And I'm done buying rulers. These more than suit my needs.

No, absolutely NOT. I love Creative Grid! And you don't have to avoid patterns because the publisher says you need a special ruler! For instance the Dear Jane triangle ruler?? Cut one out of template plastic! Hexagons? Make one!

The only ruler I wish for is the Creative Grid 6 x 12" that has 1/8" markings!!! I love the 24" and it has all the markings, so I'm going to buy another one and have it cut in half just for doing the small stuff.

I only buy a specific ruler if I'm doing a pattern and what I have already won't work or if it will only work with a great deal of frustration. I don't mind buying new rulers if they will make my life a ton easier. The patterns I'm staying away from are all the new "modern" patterns that require you to use a template(s). Ick!

I don't need every ruler suggested to use with a certain pattern but I found the suggested ruler makes it easier then making do with a standard ruler I already have. I don't like making do when I don't have to. I like learning new techniques and having options. If I couldn't buy the new ruler then of course I would use what I had. Rulers aren't that expensive and the cost spread out over the lifetime of the ruler makes it a great value.

I have two Olipfa rulers - a 24" and a 36" (found the 36" on Amazon.com), both of which I use often. Then there are my "squaring up" rulers, which are very handy. Then I have a few . . . oh, can't think of what they're called - they're the ones with parallel slots, for cutting strips! June Tailor something-or-others? Then there's a set of hexagons and triangles . . . and several smaller rulers, for measuring seams. Then there's a big, square ruler thing, with rulers and angles. Do I need them all? Probably not . . . but I do use them all!

You probably won't know exactly what you need, until you need it. I do lots of crafts, so that figures into my need for multiple rulers. That's my story, anyway. :thumbup: