Quilts are an essential piece of winter accessories. They’re a type of warm bed covering, made of padding enclosed between fabric layers and kept in places by stitching. Quiltmakers usually apply the stitching decoratively.
Sewing a quilt can be a fun activity for many people, as they can freely express their creativity in an artistic manner. Quilting is done by cutting shapes into cloth using a quilting ruler.
However, these tools can be confusing to buy, so we have compiled a neat little guide of the best quilting ruler to buy. Hopefully, our guide can aid you in choosing one that will adeptly meet your needs.
8 Best Quilting Ruler
For your convenience, we’ve selected some of the best quilting rulers that you can check out right now. You can check our guide and be sure to find one that will fit your needs in the long term.
1. Omnigrid Non-Slip Quilting Ruler
Quilting rulers are made with all kinds of materials, be it clear Acrylic or plastic. However, the most common material is clear Acrylic because it is transparent and lets you clearly see what you’re working on.
So, if you are beginning to quilt, we suggest picking the ones by Omnigrid. Their options are made of Acrylic with edge markings that provide pinpoint accuracy, ideal for accurately measuring the lengths.
This has a dimension of 6 inches by 24 inches, which is ideal for beginners and advanced quilters alike. It also has an additional 1/2 inch seam allowance as a margin error correction method.
You don’t have to worry about the ruler slipping while you’re working, as it has non-slip backing that holds it in place.
There are multiple degree angle lines that you can use to pivot around 30, 45, and 60 degrees, respectively.
To measure distances, the company has incorporated the left and right-hand numbering system in their quilting tool so that you can accurately measure the length of the squares.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly size
- Edge markings
- Laser-cut edges
- 30,45 and 60-degree pivotal angle cuts
- Left/Right-hand numbering system
Cons
- Does not have a lip on the edge
- Not slip-resistant
2. Arteza Acrylic Quilter Ruler
Quilting can be a tough job without carefully measuring the fabric out. This reason is why you need best quilting ruler that is both transparent to see through and easy to work with. Convenient markings can help you accurately measure the design out.
You can check out Arteza’s quilt measurements as they have neatly marked quilting scales that can help you quilt very quickly. They are made with high-quality Acrylic that is both sturdy and made to last over a long period of time.
As their key feature, the brand has something called the two-tone quilting grid. It is a grid that contains black and bright green contrasting grid lines. Using these, you can easily and precisely cut out your quilting designs without messing up at all.
The rulers come in 4 different sizes: a 4 inch, 6 inches, 9 inches, and a 12 inches variant. Every one of them has a seam allowance of 1/2 inches. This aspect is to give you leeway to cut more accurately.
Pros
- High-quality strong acrylic design
- Two-tone quilting grid system
- Black and bright green contrasting grid lines
- Four size variants
- ½ inch seam allowance to allow accurate measurement
Cons
- Relatively heavy in weight
- Can slip while working
3. Olfa Frosted Advantage Ruler
Plexiglass is a type of clear Acrylic that is used to make all kinds of tools and appliances. The material is made with various UV and other coatings that make it sturdy enough to be used in light casings or eyewear lenses.
If you want to use a plexiglass option, look no further than the one by Olfa. It is made of plexiglass, but it is frosted as well. Meaning, you can easily read the imprinted numbers without light or dark materials impeding you.
Its surface is also glare-free, meaning you won’t get blinded by the sunlight reflecting off of it going off every time it hits the ruler. The frosting on the back allows for slip resistance as it holds it in place while working.
Conveniently, Olfa designed a compass into the quilter. It has pivot point angles for 15,30,45,60 and 90-degree cuts.
This aspect means you can effortlessly make angular cuts on the fabric without using an external angle tool like a protractor.
Pros
- Frosted plexiglass material
- Visible markings and numbers
- No glare when sunlight hits the body
- Slip resistance for convenience
- 5 Pivot point angles for angular cuts
Cons
- No lip on the edge of the tool
- Measurements on a single unit
4. Fiskars Acrylic Ruler
When working on a fabric piece, you need to make sure the tools you’re using are as light as possible. This caveat prevents your hands from getting strained from the load of the tools. That’s why you should get a tool that isn’t too heavy.
Luckily, Fiskars’ ruler is an excellent solution for your quilting. It is a lightweight quilter, weighing only 0.32 ounces.
Meaning, you don’t have to worry about accidentally breaking it or hand pain as the tool has no chance of straining your hand.
Made of 3mm-thick Acrylic, it is ideal for cutting strips and squares directly from the bolt. With three multi-degree line indicators, you can effortlessly cut the fabric at perfect angles.
One of the more lucrative features of this is that it comes with non-slip feet that you can attach to it. By doing this, you can increase its slip resistance and work without worrying about any slipping.
Pros
- Highlighted Seam Allowance up to 6 inches
- Extremely lightweight acrylic build
- 3-mm in thickness
- 30,40 and 60-degree line indicators for perfect angles
- Included non-stop slip vinyl feet
Cons
- Not suited for quilting on a large fabric material
- Colored numbers may degrade over time
5. Creative Grids Rectangle Quilting Ruler
When it comes to any kind of product, some brands reign above the others, they provide service and quality like no other brand can. This superiority is why they’re hailed by many as the best of the best.
In the case of these products, it’s the one by Creative Grids. They make some of the best quilting tools you can find on the market. These scales are made with uber-strong acrylic material that can withstand any fabric you put it to.
As it is customary for quilting measurements, it has a seam allowance of 1/2 inches to ensure marginal error correction.
There are also half-square triangles in half inches and whole-inch increments that you can use to measure your fabric accurately.
A neat feature any beginner can appreciate is the imprinted QR code on the back of the ruler. You can scan this QR code to view tutorials and features, extremely helpful when you fail to understand how to work the scale.
Pros
- Ultra-strong acrylic build that ensures durability
- An allowance of seam at ½ inches
- Imprinted QR code to help beginners
- Half square triangles
- Whole inch increments at 1/8 and ¼ inches
Cons
- Difficult for left-handed users to use
- No angular adjustments or line indicators
6. Magicfly Acrylic Quilting Ruler
When you are working with any fabric material, you have to make sure you do everything carefully. Any slight misstep can make your design turn out bad. So, using accurate measurements is crucial for a good design.
Fortunately, the quilting scales by Magicfly are famously known for the number of measurements and variants they offer. The sizes range from 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches and up to 12.5 inches by 12.5 inches.
The measurements are symmetrically designed on all sides to ensure tiptop accuracy. Each of the four sides of the square has the same measuring numbers so that you can evaluate the quilt accurately.
The package includes 20 transparent sewing clips that you can use to hold the fabric together while you work on it.
It also boasts 48 non-slip rings that are cohesive enough not to slip while working. All of this is packaged in a cardboard box that makes it easier to carry with you.
Pros
- Comes in many sizes and variants
- Symmetrical measurements on all four sides
- Includes 20 transparent sewing clips
- Small holes that can be used to hang on hooks
- 48 non-slip rings to hold it in place
Cons
- Relatively heavy in comparison to other options
- Not suited for bigger projects
7. UOOU Quilting Ruler
Surprising as it might be to quiltmakers, working on fabric can be difficult. You have to consider several factors while working with a piece of cloth like accurate measurements, the right choice of materials, proper carefulness, etc.
If you need a reliable and best quilting ruler, you can check out UOOU’s offering as a second pick. It has many features that are evident from the moment you lay your eyes on it.
Firstly, you can get the ruler in 4 size variants depending on the project you are working on. These sizes range from 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches, all the way up to 12.5 inches by 12.5 inches. Meaning, you can get the size your project desires effortlessly.
It also has hanging holes in four corners so that you can hang it anywhere you want. The imprinted right and left-hand numbering systems are there as a staple, but there are also pivot angle indicators, convenient for angular cuts.
Pros
- Manufactured in 4 different proportions
- Hanging holes in four corners
- Embossed markings for accurate measurement
- Included non-slip rings to increase slip resistance
- Ambidextrous design with both hand angle system
Cons
- Extremely bulky in size
- Color can bleed from markings
8. DAFA Acrylic Quilting Ruler
As a beginner quiltmaker, it can be hard to get started on the hobby. People fall into all sorts of problems when they start a new hobby. The best way to recuperate is to start with proper and easy tools that are beginner-friendly.
So, if you are a beginner, then DAFA’s rulers are the best choice for you. They’re small in size and have bright orange markings that signify the measurements. There are also other features that make it a perfect choice for a beginner.
Firstly, it has a clear background that is transparent from both sides. The high visibility orange markings, which are in inches, make it perfect for quilting or sewing, or crafting projects.
There are 30, 45, and 60 degree cut line indicators on both sides so that you can accurately measure out the fabric. The ruler is among the lightest we have ever seen.
It is 5.6 ounces, which is ideal for any small projects like t-shirt designs or animal clothing.
Pros
- Perfect for beginner quiltmakers
- Clear and transparent background without frosting
- High visibility orange markings in inches
- Three separate angle cuts for line indicators
- Extremely lightweight construction
Cons
- Not suited for sizeable fabric material
- Fragile build
What to Look for While Buying Best Quilting Ruler
Quilting can be a demotivating job as it is hard for some people while unimaginative to others. Having a nice set of tools can help boost your confidence, so you must know how to buy a good quilting ruler.
- Ruler Size
Sizes are a wonderful place to start as the project you have in your mind will tell you what size of ruler you need. There are many sizes like 6 by 12 or 24 by 48 inches.
You should ask yourself what kind of project you want to work on and then decide what size you want. Smaller projects like T-shirts will need 6×12 variants, while bigger projects may need up to 64×64.
- Visibility
Some rulers will have a build with Acrylic or plexiglass or some type of plastic. There are also many finishes to the tool’s body.
A rule of thumb would be to buy anything that isn’t frosted, as frosted ones can make it hard for some people to see.
Try getting one that is 100% transparent. You can see better while also making accurate judgments if you can get a near-transparent one.
- Accurate Measurements
One of the more critical things to take note of is the measurements. It is of utmost importance, as any wrong measures can cause your project to go waste.
So, check for accurate measurements. Carefully inspect whether the markings are embossed or not, and make sure it has the unit of measure that you desire.
It could be inches or centimeters but don’t get anything other than what you wanted as it might confuse you at different times.
- Angle Line Indicators
One of the more optional aspects of a ruler is angle indicators. If you want to make designs circular or round in nature, you should definitely check for angles. Usually, the ruler will have at least 3 line indicators for different angles.
Moreover, the angles could be 30,45 or 60 degrees — whatever the angle is; you should check if they are on the tool. The lines should be dotted as they make it easier to see through themselves.
- Slip Resistance
If you are using a quilting ruler, chances are, it is slipping in and out of places. This phenomenon happens because most of them do not come with slip-resistant rubber pads. These pads can help in reducing any kind of slippage.
Some scales have non-slip pads already equipped, while some come with extra non-slip pads. Whatever the variant is, just make sure the tool does not slip while working on a project.
How to Use a Quilting Ruler?
We all know there are many types of quilting rulers out there. They come in many shapes and sizes. So, we will discuss two types and how to use them.
- Square Rulers
These are the most common kinds out there. Here is how to use them-
- Put the scale against the fabric
- Measure out what parts of the fabric you want to cut out
- Take an NT cutter and cut the fabric out according to your needs
- The square boxes can help you determine what parts you need to cut
- Rectangle Rulers
These rulers are the second choice for most beginners. Here’s how to use them-
- Rectangular ones have long longitudinal measurements, while latitudinal measurements are short
- Put the scale against the fabric
- Use the cutting tool of your choice to cut the fabric in small box size measurements
- Triangle Rulers
Rulers with triangles are unique because they provide an original aesthetic. Here is how to use them:
- Triangle ones have half square and quarter square triangles, which ensures a fast way to cut angles
- Put the scale against the fabric
- Use a knife or cutter to cut the fabric in angular motion
Final Words
Regardless of the tools you use, you should enjoy what you are quilting. So, it is crucial that you get the best quilting ruler that you can appreciate wholeheartedly.
Hopefully, our buying guide will help you choose a worthy quilting companion for your magnificent quilt works.