The 6 Quilting Rulers You Need to Make Just About Everything

I-Spy Olivia Quilt - Kitchen Table Quilting
There are about a million different quilting rulers out there. I am a bit of a minimalist when it comes to supplies, so I thought I would share a list of what I consider to be the essentials.

The 6 Quilting Rulers You Need to Make Just About Everything

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?
The 6 Quilting Rulers You Need to Make Just About Everything

18 comments

  1. I prefer the Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmers for HSTs and Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Wing Clipper for Flying Geese.

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    1. I’ve never heard of either of these, I will have to check them out. Thanks!

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    2. I 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.

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  2. I agree. You can spend a fortune on rulers. I keep just a couple of basics.

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  3. I 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.

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    1. Thinner 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!

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  4. I have a 2.5" by 12.5" ruler that I really like for cutting small things. It's much less cumbersome than my 12x12.
    Also 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.

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    1. 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!

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  5. Yes! 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!

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    1. Interesting, I haven’t seen that! I will check it out!

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    2. I 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.
      I'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.

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  6. 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.

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  7. This 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.

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  8. I 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.

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  9. I like the June Tailer ruler shape cutter.

    Thanks for the information.

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  10. 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.

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  11. You've pretty much listed my ruler collection! Another I have and really like is the Quilt in a Day Scallops, Vines and Waves ruler/template. Sometimes a scalloped edge just really makes a quilt and this makes it a cinch!

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