square up ruler what's the best size?
 

Hello All, Once again, I'm looking for your advice and feedback. I am in the market for a "square up" ruler. I do have a 3 inch and a 6 1/2 inch, but need to get a bigger size. What I'd like to know is what it the best size to get? What is your go to size?
all opinions welcome!!!

Buy the biggest square ruler you can afford. You won't regret it.

I really like my 12" square up ruler. I use it a lot. It will allow you to square up 8" 9" 10" and 12". Quite universal and useful.

I like my 12.5 and 16.5 inch rulers.

I use them both.

Joann's sells a package of 4 -
Brand: Omnigrid
Includes four pieces per package
Dimensions: 4.5 inches; 6.5 inches; 9.5 inches; 12.5 inches;
Each has extra 0.5 inches for seam allowances and diagonal angle line

It is currently on sale for $31.49. When I bought it I was able to use a coupon - many years ago. (You can always gift away the duplicate.)

I also bought the 15 in. because I wanted to cut square of fabric for embroidery. The one I use the most is the 12.5 inch square.

Depending on the size. I use all of them.

I would buy the 12.5" square. Later you can add more to your collection
based on your needs.

I love my Tucker Trimmer for smaller sections and Tucker Trimmer III for blocks. The latter goes up to 12 1/2" blocks, IIRC.

Michelle

The biggest size block you intend to make fairly regularly. My biggest one is 12.5 b/c I don't often make blocks bigger then that.

I agree with the biggest size you can afford. I use my 16.5" square ruler often to square up blocks and to cut super wide strips.

I got the 20.5" on sale. While it's great for squaring up tops and backings, it's too unwieldy for anything else. if you don't make anything larger than a 12" finished block, I would get the 12.5" ruler. While you can always use the larger ruler on smaller blocks, it is soooooo nice to have the exact size. I waited for sales and eventually got the 8.5 and 9.5.

Depends on what you want to square up. If it is a block, get one for the size of block you make most -- I have them from 3.5 - 12.5 because I also use them to fussy cut blocks. If you are squaring up your top/quilt after quilting, then I would go with the 20.5 if you can afford it. That said, I used the 6x24 ruler as my square up ruler for many, many years.

My vote is get a 12.5" then add the other sizes when you want to. I made a sampler quilt with 50 8" blocks. It was well worth it to me to buy the weird sized 8" square up for that one quilt. But I didn't get it until I needed it because it isn't a common size.

My vote is 12 1/2" as well. That should handle all but very large blocks. And my brand vote is Creative Grids. They are so well marked and do not slip...I have abandoned my other brand rulers for Creative Grids.

I've never used anything but the 12.5 square. I square up the corners then use the longer ruler for the sides if it is a bigger quilt.

I like the 15 1/2" square because i make a lot of totes and it is perfect size for cutting out and squaring up....I also have a 12 1/2" and 9 1/2 inch which I use a lot.

I have and use a 20" square ruler for squaring up a quilt. Any size will do for squaring up individual blocks.

I discovered this tutorial about rotary cutting that uses a big square ruler. I LOVE it! Even though I have a GO strip cutter, this is the method I prefer using my 15.5" ruler. Fast and accurate. It has turned my 12.5 and 15.5 rulers into essential tools for cutting as well as use in squaring up, etc. I have smaller square rulers but seldom use them anymore.
Here's the tute:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoBKOv3Azzw

I have a 12" but rarely use it. I love my 6" and 3" for the kind of patterns I like.

It makes sense to use the tools that make the job easier.

No point in getting a back-hoe for a job that a shovel would be more efficient.

I love my 12". It is easy to use for a 9 or 10 with a bit of tape to mark it off.

I have square rulers from 2 1/2", 3 1/2", 4 1/2", 5 1/2", 6 1/2", 8 1/2", 9 1/2", 12 1/2", and 20 1/2". I think I mostly make 12" blocks so use the 12 1/2" the most for squaring up.

It depends on what you will use the most. I use an 8.5" square much more than I use my 12" square and very seldom do I use my 15" square.

I also have several sizes, but use my 8.5 size the most. I have have to replace it a couple of times since I have managed to chip away at the edge I use most.

I have a 20" square ruler......while it is huge, I originally used it for squaring up T-shirts, it has come in quite handy and I'm not sorry I have it, however, I really don't need on that large....I also use my 12" and 10" more often......I also often use one that is 8.1/2" That seems go be a popular sized block and of course, any of these can be used for smaller blocks.

Thanks mhollifiel for that video....it is well worth watching...I sort of do this but tear off 16 or 17 inches then line up selvages and fold but cut the normal way. I think her way of doing it in reverse makes sense and is more accurate. i don't think I can cut 4 layers but I can certainly do 2. ....referring to site below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoBKOv3Azzw

Love this analogy! I have a 16.5" but frankly, rarely use it. Had to buy it for a class and have maybe used it a couple of times since then.

I square up my units as I make them so rarely have a need to use a larger ruler just to square up a block. But as others have mentioned, buy a) what you can afford and b) the next size up from the most common size block you make. To square any unit, I measure from the seam line in the middle of the unit/block to the outside edge and trim as necessary.

My other other suggestion is to make sure that you buy the same brand square up ruler as the rest of your rulers. They are not all created equal. If you use brand x to do your primary cutting/measuring and brand y to square up - they measurements may not be consistent. You would think an 'inch is an inch' but it isn't.

I have laid my different rulers on top of each other to see if the lines match up.

In most cases, they do.

The one ruler that I actively avoid now is the "Quilter's Rule" with the thick grid lines because of the width of the lines. They also seem to "wear out" more quickly than some of the other brands.

Got my square up ruler at Joann. It is 12" with markings at every 1/2" on down so I don't need multiple rulers for different size blocks.

Thank you to everyone who replied.... I really do appreciate the feedback, I wish I could buy all of the rulers, but like so many people these days, I have to watch my nickels (no more pennies in Canada). Lots of great advice, as always.

I do not have a Joann's where I live and until I read that post never even thought about checking for rulers at Michael's. Locally, my options are a small quilt shop, a national fabric store and a Michaels. I checked out the selection at Michaels and think I may wait for the 50% off coupon and get the 12 1/2 inch (or maybe get 2 coupons and buy a second smaller one too). I have not made blocks that large but looked thru my wish list of quilts to do and there are 2 that have larger blocks.
Thanks again

I use my Omnigrid 12.5" and 20.5" ones the most.