I don't have a lot of rulers. I do find them tempting when I see a new, fancy one in stores, but I've never yet bought one until I have a real need for it. Like after doing some crazy finegaling with my regular rulers to try to cut out perfect 60 triangles for a stack and whack hexie, I decided to use a 50% off coupon for the appropriate ruler.

So -- what are your essential, oft used rulers?

I have 3 that get very regular use: a 3.5 inch by 24 inch oldie that I bought in 1986. I love it because it's long enough to cut across a folded length of yardage. The 3.5 inch width is enough to give me a lot of options for most of the strip widths I'd want to cut. I love it so much the numbers are getting a little faint in places, which makes me sad, since I don't see these rulers around anymore.

a 6 by 12 inch -- use it lots for all kinds of chores. It's nice to have something more compact than the above ruler when I'm doing quick cuts. And it's big enough for most of my needs when working with fqs or pre-cuts

a 6 inch square -- use that for squaring up blocks and trimming units to size when needed

RST

My top 3 that I'm always reaching for are:
1. 3" by 15" (oldest, edge is getting wavy. Should replace)

2. 6" by 24"

3. 6" square (numbers & lines are wearing off, bought a new one, and don't like it)

Being a tool fanatic, I buy everything. :roll: Most of my rulers and templates are still in the packages.

I actually use the 6x24 and the 3½, 4½, 6½ & 8½ square-ups.

Oh and the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese rulers - I use those quite a bit, especially the 2x4 that makes an 8" finished Ohio Star block.

I love my Mom's 12 1/2 inch square that I inherited. Love the
Easy Ruler Jr. 3 1/2 X 9 1/2. The 9 degree wedge ruler was a great investment... I make a lot of wedge things now that I have it. I have three long rulers but the one I like best and might be a good one to replace your fading one, is my O'LIPFA Lip edge ruler 5" X 24" Love the lip!

I use my Shape Cut every time. Also the 6 x 24 is in constant use. less offten is the 6 x 12 and I keep a smaller squar, a 3 1/2" square at my sewing desk for trimming up small things while sewing.

I have a pretty good supply and while there are some that I don't use often they're invaluable when I do need them. The long one I use for cutting strips, the 16 1/2" square, 12 1/2" sq, 6 1/2" sq, 6x12, and some of the smaller ones are the ones I use most often.

In order -

6 X 24
12 1/2 square
6 1/2 square

Like thepollyparot,I have many still in the plastic; wasted my money - should have bought fabric :)

I forgot about my 12 1/2 I use it and the 6 x 24 to square up and trim my quilts before binding.

Oops, I forgot about the Shape Cut - I do use that one a lot, too.

All my rulers are Creative Grids with the exception of some of the speciality ones. I use my 6.5x 24", 3.5x 24", 4.5"x18" the most. I like using my 8.5" to make strip tube quilts, thanks to the board, didn't need the fancy triangle ruler to make those. But I do have a lot of rulers that are still in plastic, but they will get used, if not, the board is a great place to treasure hunt.

I love my 8 1/2 by 24 1/2. Also use the 12 1/2 square and a 6 x 12 a lot.

One thing to remember is to be consistent with your ruler manufacturer on a project because the measurement markings can vary between manufacturers. Other than that use the rulers that fit with the style of quilts you make. I think I personally have about a dozen various sizes hanging on my wall.

I prefer a 6 1/2" to the 6" square I used to have. Also use my 6 x 12 lots, and 12 1/2" square for squaring up larger blocks.

I use a lot of strips for my quilts so my most used rulers are a 5'X24" Olipfa (love that edge), a 8 1/2" and a 12 1/2" square, and a 8 1/2" X 24" Omnigrid. I also use my 3 1/2", 4 1/2", 5 1/2", 6 1/2"and 9 1/2" squares frequently. Having the right rulers handy makes cutting and trimming much easier. I know I could probably do what I do with less rulers but I like to grab and cut without doing a bunch of figuring.

6 1/2" x 24"
3 1/2" x 9 1/2"
Shape-Cut Ruler with 1/2" increments
6 1/2" Square

In order of preference,

4 X 14
6.5 x 24
3 x 24

I love the 4 x 14 and have used it so much the markings and numbers wore off on the first one!

For me it's my:
6.5x12.5
6 1/2 inch square
12 1/2 inch square

And for my Dear Jane, my triangle ruler.

These are my staple rulers. I do have a few others though.

These are the ones that never seem to get put back in the ruler rack. 6.5 X 12.5, 8.5 X 24.5, and 9.5 square. Have many others "just in case".

Used with most quilty projects is a 6 1/2 x24",6 1/2 x 12 1/2" & 6 1/2" sq.Have several triangle rulers,a new 6 1/2" sq I hate :(,the flying geese set from QIAD....not opened & a 12 !/2" sq seldom used, as I'm not making many 12 1/2" blocks anymore.
There are others ,either never used or seldom used.But ,hey...I'm prepared for that next block :)

With all the patterns for Jelly Roll Quilts out there, I find I've fallen in love with strip quilting. I used to use a Square Up ruler and mark my line with masking tape. However, now that I am on my 6th strip quilt, I've treated myself to the Strip Tube ruler and I find I can cut strip pieces really fast and accurately with this ruler (You can probably use any triangle ruler, but I didn't have one of those). I love it!

I have several for various reasons ( mostly because I had my own QS once a upon a time), but my favorites are 81/2 x 24 and the 3x9. Evertything else collects dust unless I have misplaced my favorites.

You name it, I have it....SOMEPLACE in my room...........

My main ruler is my 6-1/2 x 24".

For specific projects, though, I generally make my own rulers - I create the grid I want on the computer, and then print it off on a transparency. I then tape it to a piece of plexiglass (I bought a bunch of different pieces on e-bay for a couple of dollars.)

That way I always have exactly the ruler I want for the project... and I only need to save the transparencies, so they take up less space.

Some of my rulers:
http://www.3dquilt.me.uk/homepagefiles/rulers.htm

I have four rulers I use. I don't purchase 'specialty' rulers.
6X6
6X12
12 1/2 X 12 1/2
5X23

How about a pic of things made with wedge ruler. I don't have that one :)

The ones I use most are a 6 1/2 X 24, 12 1/2 square and a 5 inch square. The long one is for big cuts - stips WOF,etc. The 12 1/2 I use to square up my blocks. And the small one is for trimming.

If I had to choose my 3 favorite they would be
6 1/2 by 24

12 1/2 sq.

6 1/2 sq.

I am a newbie ,but I just wondered if painting the numbers with clear nailpolish would decrease wear for a little while?

6 1/2 x 24

6 1/2 x 24" and my 12" square use most. I have rulers still in the package - x-block, wedge,triangles (of all sizes) in other words way to many. But when I see a pattern that I like - I feel I have to get the tool. Never know when I'll be making that quilt and have to be prepared.

faves are: 6" x 24"
8 1/2" x 24
Fons and Porter half and quarter triangle

I use my 5 X 24 w/lip most of the time. I love that lip! As for numbers wearing off, could you cover the top with clear contact paper? Or even paint over the numbers with clear fingernail polish. I would be really frustrated if I couldn't see the numbers clearly.

just started paper piecing and finally have a use for my 1/4inch. Sure saves alot of time

Three I use the most are an 8 1/2 by 24. I use this one to wrap my fabric around and fold once to store on my shelves. Also a 5 or6 x 12 and a 6 1/2 in square.

I'm a gadget person so I have almost everyone that I've seen! I use my 6.5 X 24" ALOT, I use my 1 X 6 alot, I've switched to Creative Grids, I love them! So much clearer to see thru & don't slip while cutting. I have a 15 X 15 Square, a 12 X 12 square, a 9.5 X 9.5 square,I have a 4 X 4 square, a 2.5 X 2.5 square, a 6 X 6 square, I just bought a 25" 9* wedge ruler, I have a new log cabin ruler which I haven't used, my flying geese ruler & my easy angle. Those are my favorites. I do have some others but the names aren't coming to my hear right now because I don't use them much. I've been quilting since 1992 & have all but wore 2 Omnigrid rulers out! They get scuffed up & cloudy looking so I had to start replacing them. LOVE MY RULERS

Speaking of rulers...I saw somewhere, sometime on here about a bias ruler. It folded in the middle for easy storage and was long enough to cut bias binding strips. I'd love to have one but forgot who sells them. Do any of you know?? Thanks.

I most often use 4 and half in x 14 Quilters Rule always my fave , then 6x24 and 12 in square, of course have few others haha.

My faded one is a 6.5"x24" Salem rule. It never moves and doesn't have anti slip stuff underneath. All of the others have had to be adjusted to stop slipping.

I would say my 6x24 is my fave ~ I can cut/measure anything within my "normal realm" with that... Have two, cannot live without it. Also love love love my 36" I finally invested in, as I cut a lot of fleece, and its 60"W so the 24" had to be moved and drove me nuts. Get lots of use from my square set (6.5 & 4.5 mostly) ~ for trimming blocks after embroidering them

I have a 15 inch square that rotates, I love it when cuting blocks or fussy cutting a square.