fatquarters

so, I'm curious, this is something I need for a straight line, are there other shapes that help with FMQ. I am new to FMQ and am just trying to learn, so any tricks are great. I know I need one of these!

mighty

Awesome hubby!! I use them on my longarm and they are great.

DebraK

That would be called a straight edge, not a ruler, since there are no markings.

Geri B

A glass shop....I hear some of the box stores do to. This works on L/A too!

Tartan

[QUOTE=fatquarters;5925444]so, I'm curious, this is something I need for a straight line, are there other shapes that help with FMQ. I am new to FMQ and am just trying to learn, so any tricks are great. I know I need one of these![/QUOTEI find doing straight lines when doing FMQ very difficult. I can do most everything else fine but sometimes I want to outline a shape or block with a line of quilting and I wanted something I could see through and stitch along with the FMQ foot. You can buy thick rulers for ruler work on long arm machines but I wanted something for my regular sewing machine. They sell all kinds of shapes for long arm machines. I called it a ruler even though it has no numbers because the long armers call their straight edge work "ruler work".

ArtsyOne

I don't understand the process - do you guide the fabric with your right hand while holding the ruler (or straight edge) down with your left? Do you clamp it to the fabric? Do you clamp it to the machine somehow?

Teeler

Same question as Artsy...

nannyrick

I have had some squares cut at Lowes.They did a great job.

Tartan

The reason I wanted it just 1-1/2 inches wide and 10 inches long was so it would fit nicely on the acrylic bed of my machine. Hopefully this picture will show you how it works. I put on my Machingers gloves for good grip and traction and because the ruler is narrow, I can have most of my hand on the quilt while still being able to hold the ruler. I just FMQ along it until I reach my thumb and then reposition my hands and ruler.

Teeler

LOL- I get it now...the first pic (I know you SAID it was only 1.5")...made it look larger-than-life, so I couldn't imagine that that "big" thing was so easy to maneuver. Thanks for the second pic