Is it possible to have different rulers that measure differently?
I have an Altos quiltcut and today I was using it with another ruler, instead of the lines on the mat, to measure some strips...
It seemed a bit off, maybe a 1/32nd or so, nothing big but this could add up in a large quilt and many blocks...
Is this really possible?
Any help would be appreciated!
K

It is very possible!!!! I have been lucky with all the different rulers I have, only one of them measures different.

I was always told to never use the lines on your mat. I have used them when I am cutting things bigger than my rulers allow for.

Always use the same name rulers because yes, they are different.

Once you know your rulers you will just have to compensate.

Kirsten, I remember reading in the documentation I got with mine that it is calibrated to work with Olfa rulers - I use my Olipfa rulers with it and don't have a problem. I know on my older rulers the measurement is off slightly, but that's from wear (which reminds me, I need to replace my big square, and Joann's has them on sale starting tomorrow :-) )

I have read that whatever ruler you start a block with, that's the ruler you should use throughout that particular quilt. I have never actually checked mine out against another.

I was also told not to use the lines on mat and to check out the rulers against each other before using more than one ruler on the project.

After saying that, I do use the lines on the mat for one thing. When I am cutting a wide, big strip, I first measure how much I want with my ruler, straighten up my material on the mat so that it is squared up right and then use the lines on the mat to help orient my ruler so that I will cut straight up and down instead of a little bit diagonal.

On the subject of rulers:

Fons and Porter had a hint on their show to keep instructions for specialty rulers in a notebook so they would not get lost. (Imagine that in our NEATLY organized sewing rooms!!! :-)

This would also be a good place to make a note about the ruler that measures a bit differently from the others.

(No, I'm not that organized, but am working on it. Have a note book on charts and techniques that is almost organized.)