Quilting Rulers
 

I enjoyed the thread on extravagant tools, and decided to look into some of the more popular rulers. I am thinking of purchasing the Bloc Loc HST Ruler and Strip Set Ruler. The HST ruler comes in many sizes. Maybe I am a little clueless, but why wouldn't you buy the larger size, 6 1/2 or larger as you can use it to cut all sizes up to 6 1/2? (other than the cost).
The question is actually about most of the specialty rulers. Why wouldn't you buy the largest size you think you would use? Again, other than the cost.
Also considering the Deb Tucker Corner Pop Ruler and the Creative Grids Stripology ruler.

Personally, I would just buy the larger size of the Bloc Loc. I don't see a need for all of the smaller sizes, especially in terms of storage. I like to reach for just a single custom ruler, not rummage through a pile. The one advantage I see to purchasing the smaller rulers is that I would not have to be quite as careful to find the correct cutting line on the ruler. As I get older, I notice I prefer to have things as visually simple as possible. However, what I would do if I were going to be cutting lots of the same size smaller HSTs with a Bloc Loc ruler is use a small strip of blue painter's tape to mark the squaring-up lines I want to use.

Be aware that there are two versions of the Stripology ruler. The one I have is their first one, which is the larger rectangular version. In my opinion, it has a design fault. The cutting slots are too short, so that I often cannot cut all the way through the selvedge edges when using it. With their newer mat, the Stripology Squared, they corrected this and made the slots nice and long. However, it is a smaller mat so you get less cutting slots. Personally, I think the Squared is a much better purchase.

Just depends what size of HST's you make. For me, if I'm making
a lot of small HST's I prefer to use the small Bloc Loc ruler.
It's a lot less cumbersome. But that's just me. We all have
different ways of doing things.

You are correct that you can size down with rulers. I find the smaller ones fidley. (is that a quilter's word?) I also like having more fabric under the ruler for cutting or squaring-up blocks.

Of course don't tell my rulers that I have a favorite. LOL!

Don't buy June Taylor Shape Cut rulers. They are flimsy and break easily. We just had a thread about my troubles with and latest one... And, I promise, my last one.

I have the 6 1/2 inch bloc loc which I use a lot. I bought the June Taylor Shape cut years ago and it still works great. I almost bought the stripology ruler but decided I didn’t want to spend the money. Glad I didn’t. We are down sizing and I am getting rid of stuff even a couple of brand new speciality rulers which I’ve never used but though they looked useful and fun at the time.

I love my June Tailor shape cut ruler and would gladly buy another one.

Yes. I loved them too. I bought many of them over the years and never complained about them getting more flimsy every year, but this last one was ridiculous. I had it a little over a year, not chipped at all by the rotary cutter. I jujt picked it up and the 12" slot broke off. On the thread I started about it, I found that many others had similar problems. Enough for me... That was the last one I buy. Unless yours is one of the older ones, I wish you luck.

SillySusan, mine must be one of the older ones, probably 8-10 years old.

Personally, I am Not a fan of the Bloc Loc rulers........not at all..........I am, however, I BIG fan of Deb Tucker's tools...........and have most, if not all of them, and use them all. I am also a fan of the Quilters Select straight (6 X 24, etc) rulers as those Do Not Slip at all............Personal choices, but being a leftie, Type A piecer and cutter, I need all the help I can get, and I have found it with these........all of my other rulers have been donated to my guild.