Squaring a block to size
 

What is the best practice for squaring a block to specified measurements? What is the best ruler to use?

I will be watching for this answer; I too have issues with squaring blocks especially the larger ones that I don't have a square ruler to fit.

The best practice when squaring up your blocks is not to trim off your points. It is easy to finagle a block. Once your point is gone, it is gone.

If you've sewn staight and true, you won't have to worry about squaring up, or trimming points. Your block will be the right size and then any ruler as big or bigger then your block will work.

Deb Tucker's trimmer- the ruler comes in 6 and 12 She has some how to use on her web site. Here's the link

http://www.studio180design.net/videos/

I'm not connected in anyway to studio 180. It's just one of my favorite rulers that I use all the time.

I have a 12 1/2 in. sq. ruler that is a favorite. And I have an 8 in. bias square ruler that is worth it's weight in gold to me. I use the 12 1/2 in. sq. ruler for over all size squaring. And the 8 in. bias square to square 1/2 square triangles as I go along.

No matter how hard I try, I always have to square up. I'm not fussed over having to trim. It just makes my life easier if I do.

I will also follow this thread to see what others use to make it easier for them.

A rotating mat works the best. Makes it much easier to sq up. I have all sizes of sq rulers so no problem there.
For Half Square triangles I highly recomment Quilt In A Days triangle sq up ruler. Saves time and effort and just one cut to sq up.

Depending on the block you are working with, you need to watch your points. If there are no points to deal with, make sure you know the center of your block and measure out in all directions from there.

I use a 9 12 in square up ruler. I do have the humongus 20 inch ruler for bigger blocks too.

When I needed an odd size square ruler for squaring up my blocks, I had a piece of plexy glass cut to the size I needed then I marked the centers and diagonals. Works great.

having a large enough ruler with a 45 degree line you can place from corner to corner will insure you trim it evenly.