If you are a quilter, you know you cannot live without your quilting rulers. But if you are new to quilting, you may be wondering if you need to invest in a couple. Quilt rulers are a speciality tool that makes quilting so much easier.
What are Quilting Rulers?
Quilt rulers are designed specifically for quilters. They are often used in combination with rotary cutters and self healing craft mats. Quilt rulers make measuring and cutting quicker and easier.
Most quilt rulers are made from clear acrylic. They are usually marked in 1/8th inch intervals. Rulers are available in an assortment of shapes and sizes. You can find general purpose rulers as well as specialty rulers for creating specific shapes.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Quilter’s Ruler
Quilt rulers provide a lot of benefits. These include:
- You can make perfectly straight lines
- There are rulers to create specific shapes
- Cut and measure at the same time
- You can see your fabric through the ruler
What are the Different Types of Quilt Rulers
Quilt rulers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Below are the most common types of quilting rulers. If you do a lot of quilting, you will definitely end up with a large collection of rulers. Each one has its own purpose.
- Rectangular Quilting Rulers
Rectangle quilt rulers are the most common type. You can find them in a variety of sizes. Rectangle rulers are ideal for cutting long fabric strips and large quilt blocks. They are also great for trimming up frayed edges.
- Flying Geese Quilting Rulers
Flying geese rulers are a great tool for making basic flying geese quilting blocks. Measuring and cutting the blocks by hand can be difficult, leading to uneven blocks. This ruler takes away the guess work.
- Half Square Triangle Quilting Rulers
Half square rulers are also referred to as HST rulers. They make it extremely easy to cut the perfect triangles. No more cutting out pattern pieces and pinning them on your fabric. Quickly move this ruler across your fabric and make your cuts.
- Square Up Quilting Rulers
Square up rulers come in handy when cutting quilt blocks. You can find rulers the same size as your blocks. With these rulers, you can cut countless blocks of the same size and shape without measuring.
- Dresden Plate Quilting Rulers
Flowers and sunbursts are a lot easier to make when you have a Dresden plate ruler. The ruler is used to make petals. You will find that many Dresden plate rulers also come with a circle template for making the middle of the flower.
- 60-Degree Triangle Quilting Rulers
60 degree triangle rulers make it effortless to create patterns that use diamonds and 30 degree angles. It is an very useful tool for making hexagons.
- Speciality Quilting Rulers
Not only are there standard quilt rulers for making the most common types of quilts. You will also come across speciality rulers designed for creating unique designs.
10 of the Best Quilting Rulers
1. Creative Grids Ruler
The Creative grids ruler measures 6-1/2 inch x 24-1/2 inch. It features easy-to-read markings which are printed in 1 inch, 1/8 inch, and 1/4 inch increments. The 1/4 inch dashed lines are ideal for trimming seam allowances.
The ruler also contains a 30° and 60° angle. There are white vertical and horizontal lines so you can quickly identify the centre. The ruler will slide across the fabric until you apply pressure. Once pressure is applied, the gripper will keep it in place.
2. Omnigrid Non-Slip Quilter’s Ruler
This Omnigrid Quilter’s Ruler measures 6 inches x 24 inches. It includes left-handed and right-handed edge markings for accurate measuring. It has 30°, 45° and 60° cuts.
Omnigrid rulers have a patented non-slip backing that will hold it in place while you are cutting. The ruler has smooth laser cut edges for ease of use. It also features double site lines that are visible on both light and dark fabrics.
3. ARTEZA Acrylic Quilter’s Ruler
The Arteza ruler is made from strong acrylic that is made to last. The kit includes 4 quilt rulers and 48 nonslip grip rings. Each ruler has a ½ inch seam allowance and vertical and horizontal measurements. It has 30°, 45° and 60° cuts.
You will be able to see the grid lines easily on light and dark fabrics thanks to the patented two-tone design. The angles are vertically mirrored for left-handed and right-handed quilters.
4. Creative Grids Quilt Ruler
This 7-1/2 inch square quilt ruler by Creative Grids features black and white markings. The markings are printed in 1 inch, 1/8 inch, and 1/4 inch increments. The 1/4 inch dashed lines are ideal for trimming seam allowances.
The ruler has a 45° cutting angle. The ruler is designed to slide easily across the fabric until you apply pressure. Once pressure is applied, the gripper holds it in place. There is a QR code printed on the ruler that will take you to a video tutorial.
5. Marti Michell Flying Geese Quilt Ruler
Included are 2 Marti Michell rulers. You get a large Flying Geese Ruler and a small Flying Geese Rule. Using both rulers there are 35 sizes of flying geese quilting units possible.
Instructions are included with the rulers. The ¼ inch seam allowance is already added. They are designed to make smart corners.
6. Fiskars Square Acrylic Ruler Set
Perfect for making 6 1/2-inch to 12 1/2-inch squares. The Fiskars ruler is made from durable 3 mm thick clear acrylic. It has a highlighted 1/2-inch seam allowance measurement and a clearly marked 45° bias line.
The set includes 12-1/2-inch and 6-1/2-inch quilt rulers. It is an essential quilt ruler. It has optional non-slip vinyl tabs that can be added or removed.
7. Omnigrip Neon Quilter’s Ruler
This Omnigrid Quilter’s Ruler measures 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches. It includes left-handed and right-handed edge markings for accurate measuring. It has mirrored 30°, 45°, and 60° cuts.
Omnigrid’s patented non-slip backing will hold it in place while you are cutting. The ruler has smooth, clean edges for easy cutting. The clear background and neon lines make it easy to line up your fabric.
8. Creative Grids 1.5″ x 12.5″ Rectangle Quilt Ruler
The Creative Grids Ruler measures 12.5 inches x 1.5 inches. It features easy-to-read black and white markings. The markings are printed in 1 inch, 1/8 inch, and 1/4 inch increments.
9. Creative Grids Half-Square 4-in-1 Triangle Quilt Ruler
With the Creative Grids Half-Square 4-in-1 quilt ruler, you can create half-square triangles in multiple sizes. The ruler slides effortlessly over the fabric until you apply pressure. The gripper design with hold the fabric in place.
Included are instructions that show four different ways to sew half square triangles. You can follow the illustrated step-by-step instructions or scan the QR Code. The total size is 5.5 inches x 10.5 inches.
10. EZ Quilting Easy Angle Acrylic Template
The EZ Quilting Angle Ruler allows you to cut half-square triangles and squares from 0.5 inches to 6 inches. It has a built-in 0.25 inch seam allowance. It measures 9.25 inches x 6.875 inches x 6.5 inches.
Quilting rulers are designed to help you quickly cut your fabric pieces, so you can get busy sewing.
If you are looking for more crafting tools, check out our review on the Best Fabric Scissors, Best Fabric Glues, Best Sewing Machine Tables and Stands, Best Quilting Irons. And head on to our Facebook Page for fun and colorful quilting patterns.
Quilting requires a lot of time-consuming measuring and cutting. And cutting the pieces the same size can be hard. If you are tired of wasting time and fabric, there are tools that will make the process easier. Instead of pinning, measuring, and making templates you are just going to throw away, invest in some quilting rulers.
