Selecting the Right Quilting Ruler for the Job

By National Quilters Circle Editors

Selecting the Right Quilting Ruler for the Job
Precisely pieced historic quilts make it hard to believe that quilters from times past could achieve such accuracy with only cardboard templates and scissors. Since the invention of the rotary cutter in 1979, modern quilters have come to rely on special quilting rulers in their quest for piecing perfection. Rulers are available for every imaginable quilting need, so new quilters may wonder which rulers to buy first. There are specialty rulers for particular quilt designs, but every quilter needs standard rulers for two basic purposes:
  • Cutting quilt pieces to the correct size and on the straight grain of the fabric
  • Trimming blocks to the correct size before final assembly into a completed quilt top
This overview will help you with selecting the right quilting ruler.
Selecting the Right Quilting Ruler

Rulers for Cutting Out Quilt Pieces

Most quilters buy fabric in yardage cut from the full width of a bolt (typically 45″ wide) or as fat quarters. A fat quarter contains the same number of square inches as a quarter yard cut along the full width of the bolt (9″ x approximately 45″). The fat quarter is cut from half the width of the bolt and measures 18″ x 22.5.” When cutting squares or rectangles to make up a quilt block, you need to cut strips first, so you need a ruler that is at least 22.5″ long. This allows you to cut a single layer strip from a fat quarter, or a folded full width strip from a bolt. The best ruler for this is a 6″ or 6.5″ by 24″ ruler. If you find this large ruler unwieldy, and you buy mostly fat quarters, consider investing in a second rectangular ruler that is 4″ by 14″ in size. Related Video: Rotary Cutter Safety

Rulers for Trimming Quilt Blocks

It’s always wise to check the dimensions of your blocks before you assemble them into rows for your quilt top. Some quilters check each seamed component of the block before final block assembly as well. Small errors add up across the width of a quilt, so it’s best to catch and address them as early as possible. The blocks will be straight and flat and the points will match up if you check and trim your blocks carefully at every step. To check your blocks and trim away any excess, square rulers are best. If you make quilts with large blocks, invest first in a 12.5″ or 15.5″ square ruler. You can use a large ruler to square up and trim your smaller blocks, but some quilters like to keep an 8.5″ or 6.5″ square ruler on hand as well. Related Video: Using an Add-Enough Ruler

Ruler Accessories

The key to accurate cutting with a ruler and rotary cutter is keeping the ruler from moving during the cut. There are several ruler accessories available that can prevent your ruler from slipping while you cut. Rotary cutting and rulers are helpful, but arthritis makes it hard for some quilters. Consider an ergonomic rotary cutter or a gripper handle to minimize joint pain. It’s important to protect the edges and corners of your rulers from cracks and chips. You can purchase tabletop or wall-mounted ruler racks, store them safely in a plastic bin, or make a hanging ruler rack from fabric. Put your rulers away at the end of every work session, and they will last you a lifetime. Related Video: Accessories for Quilting Rulers

Beyond the Basics: Specialty Rulers

Specialty rulers can help you create amazing new designs. When you are ready to move beyond the basics, consider adding some of these rulers to your collection:

  • Wedge-shaped rulers are useful for Dresden plate or tumbler designs

  • If you love paper piecing, the Add-Enough ruler will help you precut pieces accurately without fabric waste

  • The Easy Angle Ruler gives you a fast method for cutting half square triangles from precut strips of fabric with no waste

  • When you are ready to set your quilt blocks on point, the Companion Angle ruler will take the math out of cutting your setting triangles

  • The Lil’ Twister Tool is the magic trick that lets you turn pieced squares into striking pinwheel designs

Our quilting grandmothers would be jealous of the many rulers we have available today, but they are surely proud that quilting endures as a creative art.
If you’re interested in learning more about quilting rulers and piecing methods, make sure to check out our in-depth series on Precision Quilt Piecing:
Precision Quilt Piecing Part 1: Squares
Precision Quilt Piecing Part 2: Half-Square Triangles
Precision Quilt Piecing Part 3: Quarter & Triple Triangle Squares
Precision Quilt Piecing Part 4: Flying Geese
Precision Quilt Piecing Part 5: Square in a Square
Precision Quilt Piecing Part 6: Triangle in a Square
Precision Quilt Piecing Part 7: Fancy Half-Square Triangle
Precision Quilt Piecing Part 8: Blocks and Borders

Have something to add? Leave a comment or email editor@nationalquilterscircle.com.

Reply to Scott Adams
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20 Responses to “Selecting the Right Quilting Ruler for the Job”

  1. Joan Baron

    I wouldn’t dream of cutting big pieces of fabric without a safety guard on my ruler. I’ve seen some bad injures. Those rotary cutters are sharp.

    Reply
  2. Michele

    I enjoyed watching your videos but I still don’t quite understand how to place & use my 4.5 x4.5 acrylic ruler to cut the fabric squares.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Margaret,

      Thank you for contacting us.

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      Joan
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  6. Tua

    Why are these called quilting rulers when they are rotary cutting rulers to have accuracy in piecing? Quilting and piecing are not the same. It’s time to give these rulers a proper name, and allow the “quilting rulers” to be the ones used to help free-motion quilters on domestic machines, and those using a frame to quilt the sandwich.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Tua,

      I understand that it can be confusing given the fact that they are both called rulers. However, rulers- like the ones featured in this article, generally have measurement notations on the (ex. 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″ 1″, etc). Whereas the templates or shapes used when quilting don’t always have this.

      Cheers,

      Ashley

      We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first-year membership.
      https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/C14865

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Carole,

      I am not sure that I know what ruler you are talking about? The one I think you may be referring to is generally used for paper crafting or trimming photos, and I do not believe that cutter would cut through fabric.

      Cheers,

      Ashley
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first year membership.
      https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/C12855

      Reply
      • Jane

        I believe Carole is thinking of the June Taylor ruler Quiltworks that has slits every 1/2″ to put the cutter in and cut fabric.

        Reply
  8. Anna

    What’s the easiest way to cut squares and triangles when the instructions call for 3-5/8″? Large rules are clearly notched for 1/2 inches and using smaller rulers, the squares and triangles come out to big or too small!

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Anna,

      I find the easiest way to do this, especially if you are cutting out multiple squares, would be to first cut a strip that is 3 5/8″ and then cut that strip down into squares.

      Cheers,

      Ashley
      National Quilters Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  9. Sandra phippard

    I’m one that likes all the rulers,espescially deb tucker rulers and block Loc rulers,thereboth great rulers to have.

    Reply
  11. Scott Adams

    Wow, I never thought about how you also use rulers for trimming fabric, after you’ve made a first cut. I have been looking for rulers, because my wife is getting in to quilting and she needs a new one. I didn’t realize that they were utilized so many different ways.

    Reply
  12. Eunice Wekesa

    Your Comment here…the work is all impressive but we need a way of subscribing from African countries eg Uganda in East Africa. thank you.

    Reply