Accuracy in Patchwork Begins with Your Ruler
Posted: Sunday, August 22, 2010
by Pauline Rogers
Quilters World
Do you find yourself disappointed that you never seem to get your points accurate? As a teacher of patchwork it's distressing to see so many quilters struggle with their points. After unpicking many times and trying again, they finally give up in frustration.
Why is it that when they've put so much effort into making the block and they've followed all the instructions faithfully they still can't get it right? Have a good look at the rulers you are using and you may discover that it isn't even your fault that your points don't meet!
Are all the lines straight?
Poorly marked increments are a sure sign of an inaccurate ruler. A good quality quilt ruler can seem expensive, especially to a new quilter but using a cheap ruler is false economy.
Are the line markings thick? Are some of the lines thick and others thin?
Rulers that mark increments with thick lines are making it difficult to achieve accuracy. Compare the markings on your ruler to the thread that you sew with. If it takes three or four strands of thread to fill the line you will most likely end up with problems.
If you don't always use the same side of the thick line when determining where to cut, the inconsistencies accumulate making it difficult to match your points. If the increments for inches are marked with thick lines, while the half inch and quarter inch increments are thin the differences can easily cause you to be a thread or two off on each piece, which doesn't seem like much until you sew them together.
Are the measurements true? Do they measure the same?
Many quilters are surprised when they discover that rulers don't always measure the same. An inch is an inch, right? It certainly should be but in comparing different rulers it amazingly isn't.
The varying accuracy of rulers is one of the main reasons that groups end up with differing sized blocks when they make a community quilt. It is also the reason you shouldn't swap rulers in the middle of making a block or quilt. Don't presume that your rulers measure correctly even when you're using the same brand. To eliminate inaccuracy take some time to check your rulers to see that the measurements are the same.
My Favourite Rulers
I once heard a tutor say the "unpicker is a quilter's best friend". Well I feel most of us are too busy to want to be friendly with that particular tool. Yes it has its uses but I would have to say that my Creative Grid rulers make much better friends, for since I started using them every block I've made has turned out exactly the size they should.
Designed by quilters the Creative Grid rulers are tried and tested. They have much to recommend them including:
- All the lines are thin one thread thick.
- Both black and white line markings makes it easy to distinguish the measurements on any colour fabric light, dark and even prints.
- Non slip grips are built into the rulers so you don't get any slippage while cutting.
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