What's the best way to "square up" my blocks before assembling the quilt top if I don't own a square template? All I have is a 6" x 24" quilting rular.

Thanks very much for your help!
Jan

Line it up with the grid on your cutting mat and use your ruler to follow the lines on the mat while cutting.

Maria

Aha! I forgot that my cutting mat has a grid, because I usually have it grid-side down so that the grid doesn't distract me when I'm measuring fabric :-)

Thanks so much!
Jan

ARRRRGH!

I'm in Canada, so the grid on my cutting mat is Metric! It's a generic crafting cutting mat that I already had before I started quilting, you see.

So much for that plan! Anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jan

I'm just full of no advice today. Like you, I've just always used my ruler or make the perfect size square of taped together papers (for printer). I guess that's sort of a temporary homemade template.

Would your husband/significant other happen to have a carpenter's square? He/she might let you borrow it for a few minutes. Just be sure to wipe it off, before using it.

Can't you still use the lines to line up your block and then use your ruler to cut and measure???

I have my own carpenter's square for the same reason. If you're going to make your own grid, use freezer paper, but if you can get your hands on a carpenter's square in inches, you're in fine shape.

you can make a square using cardboard and use it to square them up!

I just use my ruler and my cutting board. Just make sure each corner is 90 degrees and you'll be ok.

If you have a windshield glass shop nearby have them cut a pexi glass square the unfinished size of your block. The shop here cut me a 18 1/2" square for $9.

That is exactly what I use! I think it works just fine.

Doesn't matter - You can still use it to square up - measure with your ruller and use Post Its to mark the lines on the mat. I suspect there will be some that are pretty dang close to how you want to square.

sew in metric

I'd take tape or a marker and mark out the desired size on your gridded side. You can still use the existing lines to help keep edges straight.

Here is an easy way to square up blocks using freezer paper. http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltin...wap_blocks.htm

a local hardware store or home depot store should be able to supply you with plexiglas or other clear plastic. this can be cut into squares of different inch increments. with a fine-line permanent marker, draw diagonal lines and cross lines at the center of each side. that will give you the center of each block. mark each one permanently with the size unfinished: 5-1/2. 8-1/2, etc. that will provide the seam allowance. you can square up any size block very frugally.