but I didn't until yesterday. I took my 1st quilting class, and I was using one brand of 18" ruler (to cut strips out of my fabrics), and another brand to square it up with. My square was about 1/8" small all around. My seams were right on 1/4", but then the instructor noticed the brands were different. When we tried the same brand square-up ruler as the 18" one, my square was right on the size! Amazing! :roll: :-D

Thank you for that info. I frequently use more than one ruler. Hopefully this tip will help.

Yes, I've heard you should always buy the same brand of rulers that you have because there may be slight variations between brands. You'd think they'd all be the same size wouldn't you :?

The instructor said that it may be because of the width of the lines in the different rulers. One of my rulers had wider lines, so I tend to think that may be one reason for the different size.

My first block exchange was a simple 9 patch. I used the strip method of sewing the main color, next color, and main color again for the first set and they were fine but when I cut the cross pieces and sewed those together not the correct size. Realized after talking to another quilter in the swap that I should use the same brand rulers. Very frustrating for a newbie back then. It does make a difference.

mltquilt

I didn't know that but it surely makes sense. Thanks for the info

That's one of the first things that I was told to do: Use the SAME ruler for your project! It's saved me many times!

Yes, it does make a difference - I had to learn the hard way by using different brands. I have also learned to place the line on the ruler on top of my fabric, not butt the fabric up to the line. That way I cut a tiny bit large then sew a scant 1/4 inch seam. My blocks measure out much more accurate.

I didn't know that. Thanks, I will be more careful from now on

That is why I use Omnigrip for all of my measuring.