Strip Tube Ruler...love it!
 

I bought the strip tube ruler several years ago and never had used it. Today I wanted to make a pieced border of some sort using jelly roll strips. I used four strips for each tube and got 9 5.5" square units from each tube. The units are made of four strips on the diagonal..so cute! They are precise and so fast to make! I think I'm gonna use this ruler for all my HST's in the future. I love this thing!

Sounds interesting - where did you get it?

I got it at my LQS but I 've seen it on Amazon.

I just watched one of Jenny Doan's (from MSQC) tutorial yesterday where she did the same technique with a ruler that had a 45 degree marking on it. It's the Summer in the Park -Revamped tutorial. It did the same thing and was quick & easy and made such a "darling" quilt. You might want to watch that before spending any $ on another specialty ruler, you may or may not need.

Are you talking about making continuous bias strips? I did that yesterday and while it was easy it did take a bit of time. Could you (or someone) please link to this snazzy ruler you're talking about.

~ Carla ~

I use the Strip tube ruler a lot. I know I can use other rulers but this ruler easier and faster. You won't know the difference until you use one. I bought mine here with the book of patterns: https://www.cozyquilt.com/Aspx/Produ...?productID=517

Thank you for the link because I was waaaaay off base. Now I see what the OP wants. (Yes, I'm a newbie; how did you guess?)

~ Carla ~

I just bought one on eBay. I have been looking for free patterns and came across this one called Margarita Sunrise.....

http://www.stitch-n-frame.net/images...itasunrise.pdf

I have one and LOVE it!!! Yes it is another ruler but Cozy Quilts (who created the ruler) has several books and many patterns using this, plus once you get into it you can use it to make most (if you want several of the same color combo) your half square triangles. As much use as I have gotten out of this I no longer consider it a specialty ruler. If you use a lot of triangle patterns you could pay for this.

Ha. I purchased this at a quilt show one year ago, sounds like I need to find it and really give it a try.

I love this was to make hst but I always forget to use this technique. Thanks for the reminder.

Yes, it is a good way as long as one remembers that the sides of the HST are now bias, not straight edged..which is no prob for some, but could be for thers......

Thank you Carla. That link was extremely helpful. Also thank you to the person who mentioned Jenny Doana tutorial.

I am laughing! I inherited a massive amount of fabric and tools about 10 years ago. This tool was in the mix and I never knew what it was for. I have been so busy creating quilts I never investigated what that tool was for. Just a triangle with lines. Well, now I know and I have a whole new world of patterns to try! Thanks for informing me about this "new" tool. It takes a village!

Hello everyone, I just learned to make half square triangles by sewing the 2 squares together and then cutting them in half? why would I want to cut 2 triangles and then sew those together? Just seems easier to use the squares??? I am newbie and just trying to understand this ruler. I am trying to understand a lot of new stuff. LOLLOL

Exactly!! And as much as I love Jenny, I do not love her HST for that very reason. Yes, you can be careful, yes, you can starch BUT it is still bias. Why re-invent the wheel??

I bought the ruler and the book at the Shipshewana Quilt Show and I love it. It saves so much time and it is a lot of fun to use.

You wouldn't cut two triangles, you would sew two long strips together and cut out multiple HSTs from the strip. Once you cut, they are already HSTs But it's true you will have bias edges. I didn't find this to be a problem, but it is something to be aware of.

Can't recall who started the strip method but I tried cutting bias strips, then sewn on both sides and cut to create firm edges. That was so very long ago but if one really wanted to, try the strips on the bias and see how it goes. As for me, I have the WonderCut ruler and it does the same as the new triangle tool, bias edges not a problem for me.

I watched the video, MSQC and can do the same thing with my 12" that has the varying degrees of 30-45-60 for strip piecing. also realize at some point in time that I purchased the strip ruler. So I guess I'm good.

Thank you ManicQuilter 2--I love that pattern.

I have one that a friend gave me but have not used it yet. I have the Margarita Sunrise pattern too...I'll have to move it up on my Quilts "to do" list.