Have you ever seen a stunning motif that seems just too difficult to create? This can be quite a predicament indeed. But worry not! These days there are a variety of tools that can help you complete such quilting projects seamlessly.
One of them is a machine quilting ruler. And here, I will teach you how to use one and give you a list of the best ones out there. So sit back and prepare to have all your questions answered.
What’s the difference between a machine quilting ruler and a regular quilting ruler?
Regular quilting rulers are usually available in a few standard shapes and are used to guide fabric cutting. On the other hand, machine quilting rulers come in a variety of shapes and are designed to guide your sewing machine during quilting.
While originally only used with long arm machines, you can now use them with your home sewing machine. All you need is a ruler foot and you’re good to go.
How to use a machine quilting ruler
When quilting using a machine quilting ruler, all you have to do is to press the ruler on the quilt and push it against your sewing machine, allowing it to guide the movement of your needle.
After quilting along the length of the whole ruler, you just have to move the ruler and fabric simultaneously, placing the foot at the edge of the ruler and starting again.
Repeat this over and over again to create your desired patterns.
Ultimately, using machine quilting rulers allows you to create rich embroidered designs easily and accurately.
How to choose machine quilting rulers
If I have finally convinced you to start using machine quilting rulers, then you must be wondering how to choose one. Well, I have a couple of tips for you:
- Always check on the grip
No matter how cute a machine quilting ruler is, it isn’t much help without a substantial grip. As such, always ensure that it has enough grip to stick on your quilt and not slip off in the middle of quilting. This way, you never have to be worried about messing up your symmetry or proportions.
- Go for versatility
While it can be attractive to buy a single shape ruler on a whim, you will probably regret this later, especially if it’s expensive. It is always advisable to go for rulers that can produce several shapes quickly and efficiently.
My Top Picks
Now that you know how to choose a machine quilting ruler, here is a quick review of the best ones on the market today:
This set has seven rulers called Chevy, Slim, Shorty, Archie, Squiggy, Elvira, and Taj.
While it is quite expensive, its rulers are very high quality. Made of ¼ inch thick acrylic and with reference lines in two different colors, they are compatible with all kinds of machines.
Moreover, no matter your level of quilting expertise, using these rulers is a breeze. To cap it all off, they have strong grips to avoid slip and needle stop notches to keep quilting continuous. Undoubtedly, Creative Grids are some of the best machine quilting rulers in the market today.
If you’re looking for something extremely durable, you should get this ruler set from Tizzoda. Made of very strong ¼ inch acrylic and manufactured to the highest standards, these rulers can endure regular and tough use without damage.
Since they are super clear and easy to grip, using them is easy, making them popular among beginners and professionals alike. Highly creative quilters will also appreciate that these rulers come in a variety of shapes, including stars, flowers, and even crescents.
So if you’re looking for something to help you out with your latest girly quilt, this is your best bet!
This set has 6 rulers; Circle Template, Spinning Wheel Template, Clamshell Template, Spiral Template, and Spin-E-Fex Template. These rulers allow you to create a variety of shapes and patterns accurately and beautifully.
With this 3mm thick ruler set, you can easily create intricate patterns with your home sewing machine. I also love that each of these rulers comes with an adjustment guide that alters its height to fit your machine and quilt sandwich perfectly.
The rulers in this set are made of 3mm thick acrylic and are clear; features that make them suitable for a variety of quilting projects. Since they come in a variety of shapes, they also give you a ton of creative freedom. What’s more? They’re pretty affordable too.
Made by a professional quilter, this ruler is ¼ inches thick and measures 8 ⅝” by 6 ¼”. It is easy to use and features a grip tape that prevents s. While this machine quilting ruler is very effective, it is quite pricy for a single ruler.
Be wise….
At the end of the day, only you know what your quilting needs are. As such, you should always choose a ruler that you’re sure will serve those needs. And no matter what you do, don’t go on an unplanned shopping spree, especially if you’re a beginner!