The Omnigrid 6 x 24 and 15" square are my two workhorses that I couldn't be without. I think I have 2, 4 and 6" squares that hardly ever see the light of day. Years ago, I bought a set of plexiglass rules without any markings. They are 1-1/2, 2, 2-1/2, 3 and 3-1/2" wide and about 21" long. I used to use them a lot before I got the long Omnigrid one.

When I first started quilting, I bought the Omnigrid pack of rulers in 4 1/2, 6 1/2, 9 1/2 and 12 1/2 sizes. I use them all often and the corners are starting to wear pretty bad so I need to replace them soon. I also have the Olipfa rulers in 3 X 18 and 4 X 36 size. Those are both great for cutting strips. I broke the O"lip"fa off the 4 X 36 the first time I used it :(. That size is great for cutting borders and binding! It fits perfectly on my large cutting mat.

Rebecca

Omnigrid: squares: 2.5, 4.5, 6.5, 9.5, and 12.5 (I use the 6.5
and 12.5 the most.
others: 3" x 18" and 6" x 24" (Use both of these a
lot.)

Then I have a couple of triangles put out by Zimmerman and Hoffman, which I haven't had occasion to use so far. One is a right triangle labeled REC TOOL, and the other, which is the shape you'd get if you placed two REC TOOL triangles back to back, is called TRI TOOL.

Somewhere in the house there is a great long ruler maybe a yard in length and 4" wide, with a metal edge where you cut, which I used to use in leather tooling. I had it hanging in a closet, but one day when the string snapped, I laid it down flat in a safe place so it wouldn't get warped, and we all know what happens to things we put "in a safe place." I haven't seen it since. This was before I really got into quilting, and I can imagine how useful it would be in cutting borders. Groan!

I like both Omnigrid and Fiskars rulers. I have 6x24, 8.5x24, 12.5 square and 6.5 square. I have a triangle ruler I have never used. I also have 2 wedge rulers for cutting Dresden plate or fan wedges. They came as a set, and have only been used for one quilt.

I use all of the long and square rulers! 6" and 8.5" for cutting strips, and the squares for squaring up block units or blocks. The specialty rulers have been used for one project at most, and I decided to quit buying them.

Hmmm, I think I need to point the DH to a 15" square ruler. Christmas is coming!

I probably have at least 10 different rulers but use the 6x12 95% of the time. Pat

biwako, I've got a metal ruler like that & never thought of it for borders, but I will now. Thanks!

I'll have to look at my rulers when I go back in the house. I know I have one that I never use.

I use my 6x24 Olipfa ALL the time. I have a safety guard attached to it.

I also use my 9.5" square often to square up stuff, but wish I had a true 6.5" because that seems to be the size squares I like to deal with & it's a pain to keep moving the square around.

My oldest ruler (4x?) is angled at one end, but I ONLY use that one when I'm desperate & can't find the other 2.

I have a ton of rulers that are used periodically, but I have 2 that I love and are in use constantly. They are both by Sharon Hultgren. One is the 6½ X 13 Easy Rule and the other is the 3½ X 9½ Easy Rule Jr. There are 45º and 60º markings on both of them....I use the 45º to "square" up HSTs while still in triangle form and as I square up componants on my way up to a larger block, I really feel I don't need anything larger or longer (but I do have them). I have a 12½ square ruler, but don't know where it is.

I'm short with small hands so maybe that has something to do with it......not being able to stretch and reach very far plus picking the rulers up and handling them.

SharonG/FL

Several sizes of squares, a Quarter Cut strip cutter, a circle ruler (fold fabric in quarters). Need to look into angle rulers.

I have too many to list but the ones I like best are Quilters rule 14x4 1/2, mini sq. 6 1/2x6 1/2, & 12 1/2x12 1/2. I also use my omigrid 12x6 (I think) and 6x6. I have the 15x15 that comes in handy. The others are used when I need to do special things like triangle and diamonds and I am working on mini sqs. I have the Olipfa liped 23x5 that is good for long cuts. The others like to slip too much. Jayne

Jayne: Have you seen the little sandpaper dots you can stick on the underside of rulers? They work pretty well.

Sandpaper dots work great!!! Someone posted the suggestion on this site, I used a hole puncher and made a few dots and applied it with removable adhesive and it works like a charm and the dots are small enough as to not hinder the marking lines. I have the clear plastic sheeting on my rulers but I still had slipping ~ the dots are definitely the way to go and much cheaper.

Marty

I also have several but the ones I use the most are QIAD 6 inch (on my second one now), 6 X 24 Salem, and 12 1/2 inch The Square up. I don't like the ones with the yellow markings. I find them "too busy" and hard to read.

I had heard of the little sandpaper dots but had never used them. I may have to give them a try now. What kind of tips do you ladies have for a slipping foot pedal. I find myself constantly pulling the foot back while trying to sew. Thinking about sandpaper for that too! I have a carpeted floor. ~Abbigail~

http://www.pedal-sta.com/pedal-sta.html

I have one of these.

For years the only ruler I used was my 6" x 24" one. I do tend to break a corner off about every 5 years, so when I put a new one on my christmas list a few years ago, my dear, dear, observant husband gave me a new ruler - a Fiskars Craft & Quilting Cutter. I was a little unsure about it because it wasn't what I used, but he said he had noticed that a good part of my cutting is the long strips and he saw this in the store and thought it might work better for that. He was right! I've been using it for several years now and it is so nice. I was just using it last night as I cut out pieces for a horse quilt. Not only is it good for the initial cut of a strip, I also love it for making the smaller cuts and I was down to 1" x 1" pieces last night! It does not slip at all, you push down to engage the cutter so your fingers are never exposed, the only problem is that the little ends tend to pop off the track for the cutter so I have to keep putting them back in place, but I've really enjoyed it. He found it at Walmart.

I have some sandpaper on a couple of my omigrid rulers. It does help to keep them from slipping but the tabs always seem to be in the wrong place. I like the ridges on the Quilters Rule as they butt to the edge of the fabric nicely but my longest is only 14" long. The Olipfa lipped ruler is nice because it hooks over the edge of the mat and never slides. I have 2 other long rulers I will have to try the dots on them. Jayne

I also have too many to list,but always end up using the same ones over and over,and they are the the 6x24,the 4 1/2x 14,this gets the most use.The 4-6-and 12" squares.The rest hang in the closet,and get used every now and again.
Kathi

Over the last couple of yrs. I've had to buy rulers for classes: the 8 x 24, then 12.5 square, then 3.5 square then 4.5 square (I'm not doing angles yet).

Despite all that, I revert back to the same rulers I used as a teenager (I'm 51): 2 x 18, clear lucite, marked in 1/8" (comes marked or red or turquoise). My latest pair of the last few yrs. once I started rotary cutting, I got one w/ a metal edge. I'm just sooooo used to the 1/8 mark & the almost automatic 1/4 that's so easily marked w/ these.

Just last night I opened my first pack of sandpaper dots (had for couple of yrs.) after a small slip cutting around the 4.5" square. Turns out they're great! They're 3/8" in diameter w/ some adhesive backing, makes a BIG difference. From the LQS, comes 36 in a pack, called Fabric Grips (for $2.40). Try 'em!

But now that you all have reminded me I own a 6 X 24, that's what I've needed for the last 3 wks doing homework for a color class, working all in 4.5" squares.

Have to make 4 separate quilts, each 6 x 8 repeats finished at 4" square. I;ve cut individually around the square, yikes! Yes, NOW I remember the larger rule. Can you hear me smacking myself in head (you know, like the V-8 commercial)?