warning about those triangle template rulers
 

Yesterday at my quilt guild I taught a class on tumbling blocks without "Y" seams. The first cut is 60 degrees. Everyone who used a 60 degree template ruler was off!!!!

Those who used their straight ruler following the 60 degree line were OK.

We measured every template ruler and they were ALL off a little bit. It didn't seem to matter what the brand was.

I was shocked!! I don't use templates -- I guess I'm old fashioned and don't want to spend money needlessly.

The initial 60 degree cut was critical to having the blocks go together in a row.

I'm doing the Dear Jane quilt and will make my own template for the triangle edges.
Mim

Thanks for the tip :thumbup:

I just measured mine. The Clearview Super 60 and Marti Michell's Equilateral Triangle Ruler both measured exactly right (when compared to each other and to my Omnigrid ruler). However, the EZ 60 degree diamond ruler from Darlene Zimmerman, an orange ruler which has two 60 degree ends (and is sold at JoAnn's), was off on one end. I've never actually used that ruler (lucky for me) but I have used the other two quite a bit, and never had a problem with them.

Please don't start spreading panic. Not ALL triangle templates are out of whack. My 8" 60º triangle ruler is a perfect 60º at each angle (I just measured them) and I've never had any trouble matching seams or blocks and having everything lay flat. Take a protractor when you go to buy any angled ruler and you'll be sure.

Did you think to consider the edges may be shaved off by rotary blades? That would definitely skew the angles.

ETA: My ruler is made by Creative Grids (made in the USA, btw) and is non-slip.

Sorry to hear you were so frustrated with the inaccurate 60 degree triangle rulers. I have used the Clearview brand EXCLUSIVELY and EXTENSIVELY in the last 20 years and never encountered a problem with them. On the other hand, I have a little tool I sell and sometimes the screen isn't aligned correctly when it is printed. I have to reject those from the manufacturer. They should each be checked and rejected if it is not printed within their tolerance for error. Some companies have a bigger tolerance.

I have one of the orange

Isn't that the truth!!! We certainly have it easy today!

Thanks for the heads up, I would have assumed the problem was with me.... and it likely would have been.

Marci Baker has a ruler for her 3D designs with no Y seams and there is no problem. Perhaps you may want to try hers. I loved taking her class.

Fortunately, it was only a class -- but I did feel badly for the ladies who had problems. Frankly, I like doing Y seams. There is a bit of a challenge to getting them right.

Good thing we all have scrap fabrics that we have no use for except for testing.

Mim

I'm so GLAD to be at QB, when I hear others have a little trouble with something, I no longer feel "it's just me, and I'm stupid" THANKS for your information.

Thanks so much. That as you said is critical.:))

Maybe the scissor cutting time was better our society is just on a fast track and we might all be better if we slowed down and enjoyed life to its fullest in all aspects not just quilting

Shamrock twister
 

Hey Jen I just bought your shamrock twister pattern. I am in the process of making it. Thanks so much for designing it.

That's why you should use the same ruler for your quilts. I mean rulers made by the same manufacturer. I heard that one time in a class I took.

Oh, forgot to say. It also makes a difference if you put the desired line "on" the edge of the fabric or "right over" the edge of the fabric. People place their rulers in different places and sometimes we don't think it matters much but that is why sometimes when you do blocks swaps that the blocks are just a teeny bit off.

Good Point! I'm never sure where to line up my fabric.

thank you so much for giving us a heads up, you never know about these things and nobodies perfect

I believe this also, when they started coming out with all these gadgets, it seemed to get harder to cut triangles, or just straight, but i still use my scissors alot and not the rotary, sometimes i will use the rotary if i am making strips, then i go back to the scissors. People are in such a hurry to get things done and they want to do it the fastest they can and that is not always the best.

Thanks for the heads up! This is a great reminder for us to check the accuracy of our rulers before beginning a quilt. You were thoughtful to post this so we can take a moment to do that before making a possible time-consuming and costly cutting error. Sure, not all rulers are "off", but they could be and should be checked for accuracy. :)

I'm never quite sure about this either. I try to put the ruler "on the edge".....but I do sometimes, come up a bit short.....so should it be "right over the edge" or "on the edge"?

she's just saying to check your rulers. thanks.

That's good news. They better get it right!

will have to check mine

[QUOTE=mim;5004773]Yesterday at my quilt guild I taught a class on tumbling blocks without "Y" seams. The first cut is 60 degrees. Everyone who used a 60 degree template ruler was off!!!!

Any chance you'd consider posting a tutorial here on making tumbling blocks without "Y" seams? I'll bet a lot of us would love it!

sure -- there is one also on Utube but I had a hard timem visualising what to do so I made my own pix and text. I have to scan them into my PC so I can post. I'll do it later in the day.
Mim

Thanks. Can't wait to see your tutorial.

Thanks I'd like to see the pictures too. I have dial-up yet, and the Utube videos take so long to download.

To Gayle Bong I have tried ordering your tool on line since you are doing a workshop for our guile in April but keep getting a message the site is unavailable due to bandwidth limit. Looking forward to the workshop but wanted to try it in advance

here is page one of the tumbling block that I taught the group

I will have to keep working on this -- the pages are too big.

PM me with your email and I can email them to you

Mim

Oh WOW!! page 2 loaded -- so I will try again with page 1
Mim

Thanks Mim for showing us the pattern of making the tumbling blocks without the Y seams. It doesn't look as hard to do with your drawings. I appreciate it.

you're welcome. I did it wrong a couple times -- just make sure the first end cuts look different --

I'm glad you like it. If you have any problems while making it, let me know. I'd love to see a picture when you finish.