For most of the rulers, I am going to list a less expensive option and a more premium option. When I first started quilting, I bought the cheaper option but have been upgrading them over the past couple years. If you are a new quilter, buying supplies can be overwhelming! And expensive! The cheaper option here is perfectly adequate and functional; if you are looking for something a little nicer, the Creative Grids rulers are non-slip and really great quality.
General Use Rulers
1. 6" x 24" (or 6.5" x 24.5") - This is the ruler that I use about 90% of the time. Usually when I am cutting fabric, I fold it in half selvage to selvage. This ruler is long enough to cut strips and wide enough to cut most strips.Value option - Omnigrid 6" x 24"
Upgrade option - Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5"
2. 12.5" x 12.5" - I like this size ruler for cutting wider strips of fabric and for cutting bigger pieces. I know some people like the 15.5" square ruler, but it is just so big and heavy that I prefer the smaller one.
Value option - Omnigrid 12.5" Quilters Square Ruler
Upgrade option - Creative Grids 12.5" Square Ruler
3. A triangle ruler - If you want to make triangle quilts (or half hexagon quilts), it is nice to have a triangle ruler in your stash. Since I don't have room to store a lot of rulers, I decided to buy a 12.5" triangle version, but they come in multiple sizes.
Value option - Quilt in a Day 8.5" Triangle Ruler
Upgrade option - Creative Grids 12.5" Triangle Ruler
Specialty Rulers
4. Flying geese ruler - This ruler is 100% worth it because it makes no-waste flying geese without using the annoying no-waste flying geese method.Fons and Porter Flying Geese Ruler
5. Half Rectangle Triangle Ruler - HRTs are a lot of fun, but pretty annoying to make. This ruler is great for simplifying the process.
Bloc Loc Half Rectangle Triangle Ruler
6. A small ruler - I don't feel like I need every single small ruler for trimming HSTs, but it is nice to have something smaller than a 12.5" square.
Value option - Omnigrid 6" x 6" Ruler
Upgrade option - Creative Grids 6.5" x 6.5" Ruler
And that's it! I had collected a few others, but as I have Kon-Mari'd my sewing room lately, I have gotten rid fo them.
Do you have a favorite quilting ruler that I haven't listed here?
I prefer the Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmers for HSTs and Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Wing Clipper for Flying Geese.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never heard of either of these, I will have to check them out. Thanks!
DeleteI can't live without my Wing Clipper for Flying Geese from Deb Tucker's Studio 180. I have many of her other rulers but I use this one all the time. Perfect results.
DeleteI agree. You can spend a fortune on rulers. I keep just a couple of basics.
ReplyDeleteYes, costs can really add up!
DeleteI ought a Quilters Select ruler last year and it’s the best I have ever used. It’s kind of frosted looking but the lines are skinny so you can see easily. There are not millions of lines and it never slips. I also like Quilt in a Day scallop and wave ruler for fancy edges made so easy.
ReplyDeleteThinner lines definitely make a big difference! Since I have been using my rulers for about a decade and they are a bit dinged up, as I have upgraded them I have noticed that the having rulers be nonslip plus having thinner lines is my favorite part of the more expensive options. Thanks for the recommendations!
DeleteI have a 2.5" by 12.5" ruler that I really like for cutting small things. It's much less cumbersome than my 12x12.
ReplyDeleteAlso a drunkard's path ruler, I have a set that cuts a few different sizes. I've used it a lot!
Thanks for sharing your list! I'll have to check out the flying geese ruler.
I’ve only ever used a piece of template plastic for drunkard’s path, but if I was going to make another quilt of them, it would definitely be worth buying another ruler. Thanks for the suggestions!
DeleteYes! Sue Daley Quilt in a Day HST trimming ruler. You trim the hst's BEFORE you press them open. It's the only way I will make HST's!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I haven’t seen that! I will check it out!
DeleteI second that! It's so much easier to use. I never got the hang of the BlocLoc, but I love the Quilt In A Day ruler.
DeleteI'm also a new owner of Creative Grids Ultimate Flying Geese ruler and I love it. Makes trimming a breeze and I can make 4 at a time.
I have 2 sizes of the easy angle, that I use a lot. I would assume ruler use is specific to the types of blocks needed. Thanks for sharing your list.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great and practical list of rulers. I'm a fan of over-sizing units and trimming them down exactly. I love the rulers from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design. That's exactly what they do, and they're very easy to use.
ReplyDeleteI have a very small cutting area, so my 6" x 12" ruler is my go-to. I love my 6.5" and 8.5" squares, too, but those seem to be the sizes of block I generally make.
ReplyDeleteI like the June Tailer ruler shape cutter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information.
The Creative Grids Stripology ruler is awesome! It is great for cutting binding, borders, and 5" squares. I cut 180 2 1/2" squares in less than 15 minutes using this ruler.
ReplyDelete