Ready to get a head start on holiday sewing? This Ready to get a head start on holiday sewing? This #holidaytrimmingsquilt is a fast and easy project. The pattern releases TODAY! Head over to Shereece's site @sewhookedontreasures to grab your copy.
It's time to get excited! The #holidaytrimmingsqui It's time to get excited! The #holidaytrimmingsquilt pattern release is coming June 9th. I was happy to test this lovely quilt and even more happy with the way it turned out. Thanks, @sewhookedontreasures. I can't wait to show the full reveal!!
Blocks complete. Now it's time to sew the top toge Blocks complete. Now it's time to sew the top together. Look for this fun new quilt pattern coming soon from @sewhookedontreasures!

#holidaytrimmingsquilt #quiltpatterntester #patchworksampler
Fun fabric pull to test the lovely #holidaytrimmin Fun fabric pull to test the lovely #holidaytrimmingsquilt by Shereece @sewhookedontreasures. 

Does the new Hustle and Bustle fabric by @official_basicgrey on a Grunge Hits the Spot background put you in the holiday spirit?
This is my most recent finish. I stitched the last This is my most recent finish. I stitched the last bit of binding just about a half hour ago! I love the fabrics in this quilt and they were just random fabrics from my stash. The pattern is #theellaquilt by @kitchentablequilting. I may have to hang this in my family room until it finds a new home.

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day14 #patchworksampler
Today's prompt is pressing matters. I love flat bl Today's prompt is pressing matters. I love flat blocks and these three items are my essentials for achieving that: white fluffy bath towel, cheap Black & Decker iron that steams like crazy, and a Jackson's Woodworks square clapper.

I have a wool pressing mat, but I like the bath towel better. It has enough nap to "grab" the fabrics for a super flat press and it can be tossed in the washer and dryer. 

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day12 #patchworksampler
One of my cherished quilts is one I didn't make. T One of my cherished quilts is one I didn't make. This album quilt was made by members of a club I ran for many years when I had a brick and mortar shop. Several members continued to meet in my home monthly until COVID hit. 

It is special to me because it is a reminder of what is important; the friendships, camaraderie, and encouragement that developed within the group. 

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day9 #patchworksampler
This super scrappy quilt is one of my favorites fo This super scrappy quilt is one of my favorites for a couple of reasons. First it is proof that any fabric works when you cut it small enough and second I pieced it on a little mini retreat with a couple of friends. The pattern is Rectangle Wrangle by Bonnie Hunter.

I love, love, love scrap quilts, the more fabrics the better, and that's how I justify buying all the fabric I do.

This particular quilt was chosen for today's prompt because tomorrow it will be on its way to Poland along with nine others from my "quilt room" (see day 3 prompt).

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day8 #patchworksampler #scrapquilt
Lesson learned. I could write a book on all the th Lesson learned. I could write a book on all the things I've learned through quilting, but one I can't seem to get through my head is that I don't like foundation piecing, paper piecing, or hand piecing.  Slow stitching is a concept I can't wrap my head around.

This String Spiderweb was started at a retreat so I jumped on the bandwagon without thinking it through. I have a bunch of these units made but no interest in continuing. As I was snapping the photo though, I had an idea. Stay tuned.

Are there quilting techniques or methods you don't enjoy?

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day7 #patchworksampler
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Patchwork Sampler

Make quilts. Use fabric. Have fun.

quilting · July 6, 2021

Ways to Prevent Your Ruler from Slipping

Probably every quilter has faced the problem of the ruler slipping or sliding when cutting. It is frustrating to carefully line up the ruler, start cutting, then have the ruler slide out of position. We all know accuracy is key and fabric is too precious to waste on bad cuts! Fortunately, there are several products and ways to prevent your ruler from slipping.

Back when I first started quilting we didn’t have products designed specifically to prevent rulers from slipping so people devised ways on their own. Some recommended placing hot glue in the corners. Others glued sandpaper to the back. Neither of these was ideal, but they helped.

I don’t usually have a problem with larger rulers, but since most of my cutting right now is for six-inch blocks I am using smaller rulers. Also, with the little pieces, cutting accuracy is even more important. This is a little 6.5-inch ruler  I’ve had for over 20 years. I am using it all the time since so many of my projects call for little cuts on little pieces of fabric. Haha! It works great for cutting small blocks, but there is nothing on it to prevent slipping.

Omnigrid 6.5 ruler

So…I had to decide what to use to prevent the sliding.

First, is sandpaper dots. These are simply little sandpaper circles with adhesive on the back to stick to your ruler.

sandpaper dots for acrylic rulers

Advantages are that they are very inexpensive and are simple to use. The major disadvantage is that once placed on the ruler, it can be hard to see the fabric underneath. It’s hard to know where to place these dots so it won’t impede visibility.

omnigrid ruler with sandpaper dot

Next came little clear dots. They eliminated the problem of not being able to see the fabric, but they were so thick, the ruler rocked when cutting. I used these for a while, but because of the height, I peeled them off all the rulers and pitched them, so I can’t even show an example. Now there are flat, clear dots that probably work better, but I haven’t tried them.

Then I tried Invisigrip. This product is similar to contact paper and you can cut it to fit over the entire back surface of the ruler. It does not have an adhesive on the back though, so you can easily peel it off.

invisigrip

Advantages to Invisigrip are that it is fairly inexpensive. It comes on a 12.5″ x 36″ roll for around $9.00 on Amazon. You can cover a few rulers with a roll. It also prevents slipping–maybe too well. It is hard to “nudge” the ruler over a little bit with this on the back. Because it is clear, there is no issue with seeing the fabric under the ruler.  One disadvantage is that this product does not retain its adhesive properties in the package. Once it’s opened, you need to use it right away or it won’t retain won’t stick to the ruler. Once it’s on the ruler, it stays for a long time though. Eventually, though, mine started peeling away on the edges (maybe overuse?), so I removed it and did not replace it.

Another product that works well is 3M Nexcare tape. This is a clear, flat tape that you can find at pretty much any pharmacy. You want to be sure to buy the clear tape and not the tan variety. It is easy to tear by hand.

nexcare tape

You can place as much or as little as you want on the back of the ruler. I have found that a few small squares work fine, although some people prefer long strips down the length of the ruler. It works well to keep the ruler in place and I haven’t found any real disadvantages to using this product. It is super cheap and easy to use and is almost invisible when placed on the ruler.

omnigrid 6 with nexcare tape

Recently, though, I was at a retreat and struggling to keep a ruler from slipping when cutting. My friend, Deb, had just tried Grippy Non-Slip Coating spray and had a can with her. She encouraged me to try it so I went outside, placed my ruler backside up on the ground, and lightly sprayed. It just took seconds to dry. I did not notice an odor like there is with basting spray.

grippy spray

The spray left a very slight haze on the ruler, but you can still see the fabric underneath. I don’t even notice it when it is on the fabric. You can feel it on the back, but it is not tacky. It works great to stop the ruler from slipping.

omnigrid 6 with grippy

Since trying it on that first ruler, I have since sprayed all my small rulers and really like how it is working. I don’t know how long it will last, but it has been several months and it is still working. You may be able to find Grippy at your local quilt shop or of course, it is available at Amazon.

As you can see, there are many products available that will prevent your ruler from slipping. You will probably find that you prefer one over all the others. Right now, I like the Grippy spray. It may just be me, but I always wonder if that little bit of height from adhesive products could throw the cutting off a thread or two. This is usually not a big problem, but with teeny-tiny cuts for little blocks, it might matter. Products that cover the entire ruler, like Invisigrip or Grippy eliminate that, but of the two, Grippy is much, much easier to use!

If you are having trouble, be sure to try some of these ways to prevent your rulers from slipping. You might have to experiment with a few of these products to see which works best for you. I receive no compensation from any of these and am just reporting the options and what my personal experience is with each.

Come back next week when I will write about rulers and cutting techniques that also reduce slipping and sliding.

 

T

 

 

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In: quilting · Tagged: prevent ruler slipping, rulers, tips and techniques

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