Square rulers
 

I've been using the same set of Fiskars square rulers for years, 12 1/2, 9 1/2, 4 1/2 etc. They all have the 1/4" seam allowance on 4 sides of the ruler. Looking at the newer ones, various brands, they all have a 1/2" seam allowance on 2 sides and no allowance on the other 2. Why? It seems it would be difficult to use these to square up blocks since one would have to offset the center point and any angles or seam lines by 1/4 inch in order to trim.
Maybe it's just me.....but I don't understand the purpose of the 1/2" on 2 sides or how you would use these. Enlighten me, please.............

It's what you are used to. I've always had rulers with the extra 1/2".
In fact I like to use a bigger ruler for squaring. If I need to square
a 10.5" square block I use the 12.5" square, etc.

I would like to know the reasoning behind the design too. I have one of these rulers too. I purchased it as a set, (mat ruler and cutter) from Michael's with a coupon thinking of the savings. It wasn't really a bargain as I ended up buying another ruler

Dee

Does your ruler have a 1/4 inch mark and then the inches mark and at the other end, another 1/4 inch mark?

Rulers are like tire sizes. They may look the same but are often not the same size or markings. :rolleyes: :hunf:

I love the 1/2" on the side of the Omnigrid rulers. Here's why: when you are measuring an even increment of inches, it is ever so much easier to line up along the 1/2" mark than at the 1". There are fewer lines and it's easier to see if you're exactly on the mark. For 1.5", I use the "even inch" side, thereby landing again in the middle of the marks and not on the even inch. I spin the ruler around often, but it's easily done,

charlotte, hoping this makes sense

When I first started using the Omnigrid rulers, it was hard to get used to the "extra" half inch. I still think about it now and then, but I am used to it now -- mostly.

I always thought that they make them that way because full inches and half inches are the most common measurements. For squaring up a block, there's 1/4" seam allowance on both sides - if your finished block is 8", then your unfinished block will be squared up to 8 1/2". I guess it depends if you're measuring from the middle of the block or the whole block. Some blocks don't have a middle seam to measure from.

I think many of the newer rulers are less likely to slip. I hadn't really noticed or thought about the 1/2" on the 2 sides...

Quilter's Select square rulers do not have the 1/2" added.

I think the extra 1/2" is the seam allowance for 2 1/4" seam allowance.

I learned a long time ago whichever ruler you start with you should use throughout the whole process. I have noticed markings on one brand are often off by a "line" or hair. I also often forget about it.

When I want to square up a block, sometimes it is very important to put the 1 in. and 1 in. corner on the corner of the block. Especially if there is a diagonal seam which also needs to be squared up. I couldn't work with a ruler with the seam allowance on all sides. It would drive me nuts.

I have a couple smaller rulers that have the 1/2" on 2 sides and I can not tell you how many times I have cut my fabric wrong (I do a lot of my sewing late at night and often when I should be in bed!). I finally took the worst culprit (a 6 x 6 1/2) and put it with my crafting items so I use it with wood and foamcore not with fabric! For squaring up, I usually go to a larger square so I have a better overview of the block I am cutting (a 12" ruler for a 10 1/2" block).

All I've ever used is the 1/2 inch one (and as far as I can recall all my rulers are 1/2 inch extra on one side). Can't say I've ever seen a 1/4 inch on both sides ones.

I like the 1/2 inch on them and can't imagine using one that has 1/4 inch on both sides honestly. But I do think it is whatever you are used to using and/or comfortable with.

Thanks for the heads up to watch how rulers are marked if you are buying a new one!