I am a new quilter. I am still having problems with the ruler moving and then my cut is way off. I tried the "clear fabric grabbers" which are just supposed to stick on the back of the ruler. Still moved.

Can someone please tell me how to cut my fabric without the ruler moving? I am finishing a quilt I started when I took a class in 2003. I threw up my hands then, and don't want to give in to that again. HELP! I may be in the wrong area.

Hello Ida,
I use this on all my rulers and it works great.

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...lay.asp?i=1883

Please go to the MAIN part of the board. That's where all questions are answered where all the knowledge is!

Thanks. I just copied over to the Main forum. Thank you.

I had a lot of trouble with that when I started cutting, as well. The basic problem, at least for me, was technique. I had to practice a lot with keeping the cutter blade totally vertical, and lined up perfectly with the ruler. The problem I (and I suspect most people) had with moving the ruler was canting the cutter in against the ruler, like this /| while the blade should be straight with the ruler, like this || as well as being perfectly vertical. When I switched to a Martelli Ergo cutter it helped a lot too, as it eliminated the "flop" in the cutter.

Of course, I had an advantage in that my wife is a "certified rotary cutting instructor" and she taught me how to do it correctly.
:mrgreen:

It takes some practice. Get some old cheap Wally fabric and practice a lot, cutting strips. The non-slip stuff you got works well too!

Bela Boo, I just ordered one. Maybe my frustration will abate by the time it gets here! Thanks for the link.

well how high or low is your cutting table to your height? that can make a difference. you have to have some leverage and be able to place some weight on your ruler hand. and if possible try to keep your pinky finger on the cutting table. although i rarely do this but some designers swear by it.

I have heard of the little round sand paper on the back of a ruler ?

I am using a table that is dinner height. I stand up, and seem to be able to get leverage. I think it is probably my technique according to an answer I got when I posted to Links and Resources section.

You could try sticking a few, narrow strips of fine sandpaper to the back of your ruler. I did this right at the very beginning, but was soon able to take them off after I had got the hang of the cutting.

Yes, I will try that while waiting for my order from Quilt in a Day. Thanks.

Yes, I am going to try that. Thank you.

Yes, I am going to practice. Several of the ladies have sent me scraps so I can use them. My wally's doesn't carry fabric. Thank you for your help. The "slashes" help me understand.

it's also very important to use sharp blades. when your blade gets dull, you automatically press harder as you run the cutter up the side of the ruler. that extra pressure can cause your ruler to slip.

also, and ironically, the harder you press down on the ruler with your "ruler hand", the more likely it is that the ruler will slip.

when you're cutting through more than one layer of fabric, even if the ruler seems to stay in place, the top layer of fabric can slip off-kilter relative to the under layers.

not trying to scare you.

despite the "scaries", the key is to relax. the less tense you are, the better you'll get.

you will get the hang of it before you know it. ;-)

Wow I never realized this. I wonder if that is why my ruler stays better when I hold it with just my finger tips kind of tented on the ruler, as opposed to flat palmed?

Yes, I do press hard. Maybe that is some of it! I started using a smaller ruler and that helped some. I might be pushing too hard on the ruler. I haven't cut more than one layer of fabric so far (I'm a chicken!)

Thanks everyone for your help. I know it will come together, just can't give up!

Ida

When you position your ruler place your hand toward the bottom of the ruler. As you cut and pass your hand stop, walk your fingers slowly up and reposition them then continue to cut. It also helps if you leave your pinky finger off of the ruler and on the fabric. It stabilizes the ruler. Hope it helps. When started quilting I could only cut one layer at a time. With practice come confidence. You'll get there.

what is the difference in asking that question in Main or here? It seems there are questions here all the time! I'm not that versed on all the rules about posting, but Chit Chat seems to be for everything.

There could be several reasons that it's going wonky on you.

1. Press down, not away. Usually this requires standing.
2. If you have a dull blade it can push rather than cut the fabric
3. If you have too many layers the fabric will move
4. You just need more practice. Relax, it will get easier
5. you might be using the wrong size ruler. Big fabric--big ruler, small fabric small ruler. Your ruler should always be at least a few inches bigger than what you're cutting but not a foot bigger, it just gets clumsy if it's too big.
If you are using a bigger ruler and bigger fabric try going to your local Menards, Lowes or Home depot. Go to the bathroom department and get a suction type handle. It looks and acts just like The Gripper in quilt stores but it's about 1/4 - 1/2 the price.

p.s. I agree with QKO about getting some cheap fabric to practice on. It's also a good way to get rid of some worn out or out dated cotton clothing. Cut it up, throw it away, no money lost, experience gained. Just cut the seams out first and use flat pieces of fabric.

p.s.s. I never look at the thread it's posted on only the title to the message so . . . . . . . .

Just found something that works really well for me. They are the little round felt circles that are made to put on the bottom of items to prevent damage to your furniture surfaces. They come on sheets of paper just like stamps and don't make the ruler sit unevenly. I started out just using them on my larger rulers but liked them so much I also use them on all my small shapes.

The Main section is for topics related to quilting. Chit Chat is for things not related to quilting. A quilting question could be easily passed over if it's listed in Chit Chat. a lot of people never go into that section.

there are descriptions, content policies, and directions at the top of each section. makes for pretty interesting reading. ;-)

This is the way I do mine but also if the blade is titled the ruler will move. The blade should be straight up and down.

We're supposed to READ that stuff? And learn terms and things about how this board works? Do people actually do that?

Seriously, folks, it is worth taking the time to read the info available at the top of each section.

I use the invisigrip and am happy with it. My rulers never slip.

I have a Gypsy Gripper that I put on the ruler...here is the web site.

www.thegypsyquilter.com

www.thegypsyquilter.com/thegypsygripper.htm

I also found that if my cutting area is to tall the ruler slips, you should be right over what you are cutting and that helps me.

Thanks for the info on posting everyone. I guess I should read the rules,I usually just go to unread topics and start reading. LOL

Try holding a few fingers off the ruler, opposite of the cutting edge, helping to hold the ruler . I also have little circle of sandpaper on the backs of all my rulers.

For me I've found that it's how my hand is placed on the ruler. I am left handed (not that it's makes any difference) but I keep my thumb and first finger on the board and the rest of my hand on the fabric. This give me a good grip and prevents a lot of that slipping from the ruler. Additionally any new rulers I buy will be Creative Grid because they seem to hold onto the fabric better. My older rulers have either the Invisi-grip or small sandpaper dots. Hope this helps a bit.

I love the little sandpaper discs that stick to the back. I know they have them at Joann's.

A workshop teacher once gave us little 2"x2" squares of rubber shelf liner that you can buy at Walmart, etc. You just put it under your ruler and it really helps a lot. I got careless and now have 2 triangles, but all is well.

Have you tried the small sandpaper dots on the back of your ruler. I have a ruler with a lip and sandpaper dots.

Me to so got this: "InvisiGrip" By Omnigrid its clear works great!

My quilt teacher taught me to use my ruler eeons ago. I use the little round sandpaper thingies you can get at JA's or Wal-Mart did carry them in the notion section. FOr my 5" x 24" i put one in each corner and then spaced two more per side. Been using this way for going on 4 -5 years without a problem.

But, more importantly is the way you place your hand or I should say, your fingertips. Spread your fingers apart and using your fingertips only, place on ruler, bring your blade in from just outside the ruler at an angle straightening as you cut a few inches, stop cutting, walk your fingertips up the ruler, continue cutting, doing so all the way up the ruler. When you are used to this method, then you can start walking your fingertips up the ruler at the same time you are cutting. Also, make sure your ruler botom and ruler top are on the same cutting line before you start cutting.

Too much pressure is placed on the ruler when you lay your hand flat and press down making a pushing motion when you least expect it.

yes invisa grip is great

It does get better with time but I did learn some new things as well.

Since you are a new quilter, here is a link with tips and tricks (Mark Lipinski) that might help you out. Some of the more experienced quilters might get something from the site as well. Hope this helps.

http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/quiltin...cks/index.html

I bought plastic stuff a JAs...thick stuff used for table coverings. Bought 4 inches...it's really wide. Cut strips and they cling to the back of the ruler. Cheap fix for a frustrating problem!

I use the sand paper disks on some of my rulers and InvisGrip which is a clear heavier contact paper type material.
It works very well. It comes in the roll and completely covers the back side of the ruler (with about 1/4" less all around)
I find the clear plastic dots a bit high on the back.

The InvisiGrip cam be taken off. It clings rather than sticks to the back.

I would suggest the Martelli Ergo cutter. It helps keep the blade lined up on the ruler. Less chance of running the blade at an angle.