Congratulations, you made the choice to start quilting. That’s awesome. Now you’re confused about what you need to get started. Besides a sewing machine, there isn’t much you truly need. When it comes to cutting rulers, you only need two. Let’s review them.
Two Rulers you Need to Start Quilting
6” x 24” Long Ruler
The first ruler I’m going to recommend, and you will use it a lot, is a 6” x 24” long ruler. Long quilting rulers are used mostly when cutting fabric purchased off of a fabric bolt (yardage). Using your long ruler with yardage allows you to cut a large piece of fabric into more manageable strips which are often sub cut into smaller pieces.
I highly recommend the Creative Grids ruler line. Their long ruler is sized at 6 ½” x 24 ½”. I’m not sure why their rulers are half an inch bigger, but that often comes in handy.
6” Square Ruler
The second ruler I am recommending is a 6” square or in Creative Grids, a 6 ½” square.
A 6” square ruler will allow you to square up blocks you have constructed, cut long fabric strips down to smaller squares or rectangles and more. You will find yourself reaching for this ruler a lot, even when you have other rulers in your collection.
Building your Collection
As mentioned above, these are the two rulers I highly recommend you start with. In the future, as your skills increase or you find a cool tool, you can add it to your collection. Personally, I try to stay away from rulers that I will only use for one project.
I do own more Creative Grids rulers than the two I recommend you begin with. In addition to the 6 ½” square, I also have the 2 ½” square, 3 ½” square, 4 ½” square, 7 ½” square and 8 ½” square. I use all of them frequently. I do not use the 8 ½” square much, so I could have left that one at the shop, but you get the idea.
My Final Thoughts
To get started in quilting, get set up with a 6” x 24” ruler and a 6” square. You cannot go wrong with these fundamental rulers and you can always increase your collection in the future.
Get your Freebie
Who wants to learn about rotary cutting? I am running a free 3 day workshop called Rotary Cutting Fundamentals starting November 19. Each day you will receive a short recorded video with my top tips on all things rotary cutting.
I have written a quick, one page free guide called The Top 5 Tools Every Beginner Quilter Needs. I know it is daunting when you get started in quilting because there are so many tools and notions out there.
Click here to get your free guide and join my workshop. Let me help you not end up with a drawer full of tools you will only use once or even worse, never.
I hope you have found this helpful. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me here.
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