quiltingshorttimer

I love using rulers on my LA and have (too) many. Like Tartan and others I suggest you get a nice straight edge(some have a more curved edge on the opposite side) and a curve to start. While I have a ton of rulers I find that some get much more use: my Linda Taylor "Electric Quilts" rectangle--it's about 5" wide and 8" long and fits into my hand easily. And my DeLoa Jones boomerang curves and a similar set from Julia Quiltoff. Then I have a little Dusty Farrell that is straight on one side and a perfect 3" curve on opposite--perfect for continuous curves.
I find the ones that snap together to form the shape (I have circles, ovals, hexie) are awkward and require much taking apart unless you are doing a line of connected shapes. Another kind that I rarely use are those that are about 18-24" long--they tend to tip off the ruler base and I've hit several (knock machine timing off). I do have one Quilter's Apothecary (Jamie Wallen) but find that the handle bothers me--maybe too many years in my youth on the drafting table. You absolutely do need a ruler base to use rulers. Before you buy a ruler (they are a bit pricey) check out the creator's video on how to use--pretty informative.

I'd add that unlike many I don't like the "gripper" dots on my rulers as I often flip them or slide them along as I'm quilting. And remember that you aren't trying to push that ruler down hard, you are trying to hold it snug against the hopping foot.

quiltlady#3

Thanks for all the advice an ideas!my sil told me to get the westalee that they were the easiest to use but are expensive. My machine can be in a frame of sitdown.
so using rulers ya use a sticky tape to hold them in place ? I watched a few videos an in them it seemed they were moving them alot. I want to learn to do more then meander. Gets kind of boring. I have a pounce an stencils but seems I'm a bit to shake to make nice fluid lines. I've learned a lot on the board here in the years I've been a member. Thanks so much for all the great posts! They are a lot of help!

quiltedsunshine

The Westalee 6-piece beginner set is my go-to set. The price is actually really good when you buy sets. I also have a few Amanda Murphy sets. Every Circle, Every Oval, Every Wave, Every Ribbon Candy and Lollies. I use all kinds of circles and ovals, so the sets are versatile. I also use the waves a lot. If you can join a Handi Quilter ruler of the month group, the rulers are a good price. I've done a couple of these. The club that just started is all for borders. Looks like a good one.

My favorite gripper for the back is Handi Grip. It's clear and holds better than all the other things I've tried.

sewingpup

On the ruler I have with the sticky backing, it is easy to "adjust" the amount of stick it has. You can also clean off the sticky part if it loses it's stick. When I don't want it so sticky, I just push it up and down into some batting. Oh, and I also can just flip my ruler over to the non-sticky side if I really want to glide it along. It is not hard to move though but the little bit of stickiness helps me hold the ruler in position without having to work too hard.

mkc

Just wanted to emphasize this - you shouldn't try to use rulers on a longarm (stand-up where you move the machine) without a ruler base. Too easy to have the ruler slip or tilt and end up in the wrong place, causing damage.

quiltlady#3

I had wondered about how to use a ruler with the stand up longarm. I switch my machine from sit down to standup as I need. I don't want to ruin my machine. they are too expensive. so using rulers with the sit down long arm would be best?
I looked on amazon and they have a westalee kit for $100 is that a good price?
Yo guys are all so helpful! Thank You For all your help!

quiltedsunshine

Depends on what set it is. The 6-piece starter set is only $65. Some sets include carry bags and mini rulers.

sewingpup

you also need to know if the machine you are going to use for ruler work is a high shank or a low shank. The high shanks use the the same thicker rulers that long arm quilters use (I think they are 1/4 inch thick) The low shank machines would require rulers made for those machines as the foot and ankle get in the way of the regular 1/4 inch thick rulers and you can't place the ruler on all sides of a low shank foot. I think the low shank rulers are about 3/8 of an inch thick. But you don't want to use the low shank rulers on a regular long arm or high shank foot as they would be easier to get under the foot and cause damage.

quiltlady#3

ok I have figured out my machine is a high shank. One step down lol. Now for the ruler base and some rulers. I am not having much luck finding the base for my LA. Juki says find my dealer which equals $$$$. I have the Miyabi j350qvp. Thanks for all your help!!

Dolphyngyrl

I have handiquilter, Bethanne Nemesh, Lisa calle, patsy thompson, Amanda murphy, Angela walters, westalee, Gina perkes, bold notion quilting, top anchor, and judi madsen. Most have youtube videos on their rulers. Angela walters has panels and quilt alongside with hers. Amanda murphy also has panels a guides. If you are a beginner I would start with those 2 quilters. Handiquilter also has videos but only carries longarm size so you can't get low shank versions of theirs like the other 2 but those are the top 3 I recommend followed by bethanne nemesh