Slipping Ruler
#54
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Guntersville, AL Live in Canton
Posts: 29
That is what I used to do when I first started quilting. At that time I didn't have to work so I put my card table in front of the TV with a cup of coffee and the most I would ever cut at a time was four layers. Those were the best quilts. Everything had to be perfect . . .do you know the feeling?
#55
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
In my last class, the gal showed us a clear quilting tape (has kind of a blue tint to it) that you can just use on the bottom of the ruler. You will feel the difference immediately because the tape causes a bit of friction. It is much easier to control the ruler with the tape but you still have to apply pressure.
Another thing that this teacher pointed out is to NOT plan to hold the ruler in the middle. She holds the ruler on the first third and cuts the first 1/3rd then moves her hand up to the middle cutting some more, then moving the hand up to the end and finishing the cut. It really helps to control JUST the part you are cutting.
Another thing that this teacher pointed out is to NOT plan to hold the ruler in the middle. She holds the ruler on the first third and cuts the first 1/3rd then moves her hand up to the middle cutting some more, then moving the hand up to the end and finishing the cut. It really helps to control JUST the part you are cutting.
#56
Besides the ruler slipping, it might be the way you are stabilizing it with your hand and fingers and how you are using your cutter.
Be sure to keep your little finger draped over the edge of the ruler to help keep it steady and press down on the rotary cutter not pushing it into the ruler at an angle making it slide too. Hope that makes sense.
warm quilt hugs, sue in CA
Be sure to keep your little finger draped over the edge of the ruler to help keep it steady and press down on the rotary cutter not pushing it into the ruler at an angle making it slide too. Hope that makes sense.
warm quilt hugs, sue in CA
#57
quote //p.s. I agree with QKO about getting some cheap fabric to practice on. It's also a good way to get rid of some worn out or out dated cotton clothing. Cut it up, throw it away, no money lost, experience gained. Just cut the seams out first and use flat pieces of fabric. //quote
If it's good cotton clothing, why throw it away after you cut it up? Save it for quilting!! That's what our ancestors did!
If it's good cotton clothing, why throw it away after you cut it up? Save it for quilting!! That's what our ancestors did!
#59
I am a real fan of clear plastic first aid tape. (I use NexCare brand)
When I used sandpaper dots they were always in the wrong place. With the tape you can see through it. It is flat so it doesn't raise the ruler up like the clear plastic gripper dots. It is also cheap and easy to use. <G>
Practice is the real key to getting comfortable with the cutter/mat/ruler combination. You might see if a more experienced quilter could watch as you cut to give suggestions.
Have fun, relax,
Pati, in Phx
When I used sandpaper dots they were always in the wrong place. With the tape you can see through it. It is flat so it doesn't raise the ruler up like the clear plastic gripper dots. It is also cheap and easy to use. <G>
Practice is the real key to getting comfortable with the cutter/mat/ruler combination. You might see if a more experienced quilter could watch as you cut to give suggestions.
Have fun, relax,
Pati, in Phx
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