"They" say to always use the same ruler when making a project -
 

Due to the differences in how thick the lines are on some rulers and ruler placements when cutting -

I was wondering if anyone actually measured their piece sizes when using different rulers? (I am talking about measuring to at least the nearest 1/16th inch - if not smaller increments.)

Mary Ellen Hopkins has mentioned PPM - Personal Private Measurements - and i was also wondering if this concept could apply to cutting techniques and equipment.

I am so easy to mess things up I always use ame ruler or cutting items on a project first step to finished project.

Some rulers have wider lines then others. Line up the inch lines on different rulers to compare. It can really mess up your cutting to swap different brands of rulers.

I have a bunch of different brands and use them all. An inch is an inch is an inch. The only issue, I think, is that some people find certain rulers easier to read, and those are the ones they should use.

Exactly. But if you need to lay blame., rulers won't talk back. :p

I am slowly switching over to just a few Creative Grids rulers because I like the less slipperiness of them so I tend to use the same anyway. I find that between slowing down while I cut, shifting my holding hand up carefully and using them greatly increases my cutting accuracy. All those people in the past I watched swoop their rotary cutters up so quickly really weren't being good role models - at least for me. It's a wonder more people don't cut themselves.

Absolutely. Makes a difference. Used two different rulers on a project and had a mess. Never again. Actually, I find that I have to decide on whether to use the RULER marks or the MAT marks. Yes, I use my mat marks often. Lay a ruler on the mat and look how they line up. You'll see what I mean.

The flip side of this -

If I had three people using the same brand and size/model of ruler - and asked them to cut 4 inch squares - do you think they would be "exactly" the same size?

Of course they would not.

HaHaHa!! Absolutely NEVER!! We all hold our rotary cutters at just a slightly different angle and that changes the actual measurement of a cut piece.

Now here is another one for YOU!! If three people, using the exact same machine and foot, piece a block, would they all end up being the same size? Or, alternately, if one person pieces a block on three different machines, will they all be the same size?

I have a top that I pieced on my sister's machine. It is 90% done. But I am afraid to finish it on a different machine because I know I will have size problems.

Haha.... "I " can't even cut the exact same size each time! When I've been trimming around my Peacock project.... I would have liked to have someone else to blame! :D

I always figure that stuff does not line up because I am not that good at sewing. I am not that good at cutting either. But I do love it. I have three rulers in different sizes, all Omnigrid.

- Or, alternately, if one person pieces a block on three different machines, will they all be the same size? - (quote)

My sister has a machine at home and one at work (her hubby's garage). She has told me many times that they do not sew the same.

I have the same name brand rulers but I use my 6X24 for cutting all my pieces including strips and squares. I have not had any issues with measurements or piecing unless my 1/4 inch seam is quirky.

I used to use a ruler that had really wide lines. I found that depending on whether I was tired, or didn't cut it all in one go, I would go to the left side of the line one time & the right side another. Then I would have different sizes & nothing went together as planned. Altho I just picked up Mary Ellen's books as my sister went to a lot of her classes & used her PPM method & won 2 award for her quilts. They looked beautiful!!!!

I use several different rulers, mostly because I use one that matches the size I'm cutting. Not going to haul out the 8x24 ruler when cutting a 2.5x2.5 square. I have rulers from 4-5 different companies.

And to this day, it's never given me any grief.

Perfectly true. As long as you never do any guild block eschanges, or tackle much beyond 4 patch quilts.

As long as I do not use a Quilter's Rule ruler with the thick grid lines - I usually end up with a block very close to the size I intended it to be.

I placed my thin-lined rulers on top of each other - and all the inch lines lined up.

(I do have to say that I once did have a ruler that the measurements were "different" from most of my other rulers. I gave it to an acquaintance with the caveat that it was not accurate and should only be used as a straight-edge - but I don't think she heard that part and was using it for measuring. I will NOT give bad tools to anyone again.)

I prefer Omnigrid/grip rulers, all of the other brands tend to confuse me. So I use what works for me. I've been quilting since 1988.
Sharon in Texas

I had a ruler that was aupposed to be 6" wide. Everything I cut with it was too small. I finally put it up to several other rulers and it was on 5 and 7/8". It went in the trash.

I now use the same ruler when cutting out a quilt and when I start sewing, I use the same machine till the end of the piecing. One of the machines I piece on is more difficult to get that scant 1/4" seam, I know it's me, but I still have a problem doing it.

Honestly I've never had a problem using multiple rulers OR multiple machines on a project, and I do both frequently. Not sure if I'm lucky, extra careful, or just so inexact in everything that I just don't notice, but it's never been a problem for me. I don't understand why it would be, as long as your rulers aren't made wrong (and haven't been shaved down from wear) and you take the time to check your seam allowance before you get going.

I suppose if you have a really worn out machine your settings might somehow "wander", but that's a separate issue. My travel machine is always kept set up for a quarter-inch seam, but I check it periodically anyway - I think that's just a good habit to be in.

I've checked my rulers in the past and they all agree on what an inch is, and so do the lines on my big mat. Maybe some mats expand and shrink with temperature changes? I think I'd be inclined to return my mat if the markings weren't accurate. I haven't checked my smaller travel mat, but I almost never use the lines on that one so it kinda doesn't matter. I'm curious now, though.

The lines on one of my June Tailor pressing things - that has the cutting mat on the back - aren't "right."
So I ignore them for measurements but do use them for "squaring' when I am pressing on it.

I'm not particular about which ruler I grab. So far, no issues mixing brands. My problem is making quilts in a group. In our church quilt group, only two of us are willing to sew. We do not have the same 1/4". I use a screw on metal dam set where i want it, the other uses her presser foot which to me is wider than 1/4". It makes it hard to work on the same quilt. I know I am the one who could change most easily, but when I draft a pattern and do the cutting, I use 1/4" seam. That would be much harder to change.

Machines? I have three set up in my family room, two are used interchangeably for piecing and I have no problems. The same with the one I left at the church. All three have the little metal screw on guide. The Elna isn't allowed to quilt, but she does everything else.

I definitely know what you mean - I worked on a group project once - and that was enough to "cure" me.