If you cut into an artery do you die instantly or die slowly?

The invention of the rotary cutter designed for quilters spawned an avalanche of rulers made for use with the cutter. These clear, acrylic rulers are made in a variety of size…s and shapes and are extremely helpful in cutting the many geometric shapes used in quilt-making. If you are just getting started in quilting, you will want to start a small collection of basic rulers, which will increase the speed and accuracy of cutting your fabric.

The most basic shape in quilting is the square. A 6 1/2 inch by 6 1/2 inch ruler is perfect for cutting squares and half-square triangles. Look for a ruler that measures in 1/8 inch increments, and has measurements duplicated on two adjoining sides.

These rulers usually have a diagonal line marked through the center of the ruler, which is helpful in measuring and cutting squares into triangles. Most quilters agree that a 3 inch by 18 inch, or a 6 inch by 24 inch strip piecing ruler is a must-have. These long rulers allow for quick cutting of long, straight strips of fabric and are very versatile.

These long strips of fabric can be sewn together horizontally, then the pieced strips can be cut lengthwise and rearranged, creating instant blocks. This style ruler is helpful for quickly removing the selvage edge of fabrics. Look for a ruler that has the 30, 45 and 60 degree angles marked on it.

Aligning these angles with the angles marked on your cutting mat will allow you to cut a wide variety of shapes, as well as assist in cutting mitered corners. Most unfinished quilt blocks are 12 1/2 inches square. A 12 1/2 inch by 12 1/2 inch square ruler is perfect for quickly squaring up your blocks, ensuring your seams will line up when placing the blocks together.

This ruler is also helpful for quick-cutting 12 1/2 inch square setting blocks. A 10 1/2" angle ruler (shaped like a triangle) is very helpful for cutting half-square triangles from 2 inches to 10 inches in finished size. You lay it over a strip of fabric to cut your first triangle, and then flip it over and line it up with the first cut to make the next triangle.

This makes cutting triangles quick, easy and accurate. Choose rulers that have narrowly marked lines, which makes it easier to see the edges of your fabric through the ruler. Make sure the markings on the ruler are easy to read.

The rotary cutter and rotary cutting rulers allow quilters to skip tracing around templates and cut fabric must faster. Rotary rulers help make accurate cuts. Precision is required to make quilt blocks fit together, and the use of rotary cutting tools greatly increases the accuracy of cutting your fabrics.