Hello everyone,

I need to know when you are using your ruler to cut your fabric (WOF) instead of your cutting mat and the piece to be cut is wider than your ruler, how do you cut it. Are there wider rulers you can purchase? I'm usually pretty good at figuring things on my own, but I must be having a some-timer moment because I can't get it. Any tips from you wonderful quilting folks will be greatly appreciated. Thanks "sew" much!!

Kathi in PA

You could fold the fabric in half.

I use an 8 1/2" x 24" ruler and usually do not have problems. If I need it wider, I lay two rulers side by side and then cut.

Ditto

You could also mark the fabric and rule a line to cut on.

OK. Let me see if I can explain this so that you understand. I just learned this technique this week in a class. I had a 8 1/2 ruler with me and the pattern called for a 9 " square. She had me square my edge and use one ruler for 1/2", then place my 8 1/2" ruler beside it. I had to be very careful of slippage, but it worked like a charm! Did this make sense? I now have my eye on a wider ruler, though!

I'm fairly new at this, so some of the experts may do it another way. But, here's how I do it: I use my 24"x6" ruler and my cutting mat. I line up the edge of my folded fabric on the 1" line on the mat (with the 1" line to my right. If I'm going to cut a 9" strip, I line up my ruler with the 10" line at the top and bottom of the mat. Then I cut. Voila, I have a strip 9" by WOF.
I sure hope this makes sense. I'll stand by to see what the experts say.

I fold my fabric in half again WOF and cut it. Never have had a problem doing that.

I was taught many years ago not to use the lines on the mat, because being made out of the flexible material-- they are not accurate. I know there are people that use the measurements on the mat, but I never do. I am also picky about which rulers I use, because some are also not accurate. I use two long rulers side by side to measure the required amount. If necessary, I also have large square rulers and will fold the fabric in half one more time and use the large squares.

In only 7 short years I had forgotten this. That is how I was taught in the first place. Thank you for the reminder, merrylouw.

If you are going to use your mat to cut (and I do), just be sure the measurements on your mat are the same as your ruler. In other words, check your mat for accuracy. I have one mat I never use for measurements because the squares are not accurate. And never switch mats or rulers in the middle of a quilt.

I was shown by a teacher earlier this year to check your ruler as well. Some of the newer rulers are not true or straight. Also get a ruler with the thinner lines because you get a more accurate cut each time. Some rulers including a few of mine have wide lines and can throw your pattern blocks out by up to 1/8th inch. So check them before you buy them by taking a good tape measure with you when buying that important ruler.

My widest ruler is 8 1/2" but I have squares of 8 1/2', 10 1/2". and 12 1/2", 15" and my newest is a 20" square. These take care of most of my measurements. I needed to square a 16" block is why I had to get a new square, it makes it so much easier.

I knew I could count on my quilting friends. I'm going to try all your suggestions and see which works best and I'll keep you posted on my results. I have seen the 20" square and thought about getting it, but I want to try and find the Creative Grid brand rulers and see what types they have, too.

Kathi in PA