Rulers for Lefties

[Lynn K.]

Is there a place that has rotary cutting rulers for left handed people.
Most of the time I will just flip the ruler but they do seem to slip more easily when I do this .

Ruth

[Paula D.]

The Martelli rotary cutters come in both right and left hand models. They are different than the usual rotary cutters - google it and you'll see why. Then, I would google "left handed rotary cutters" to see if you get any other suggestions.

[Paula D.]

I don't see how you can't use a ruler being left handed? The lines go right the way across to both sides.

Which rulers are you buying? I'm ambi so use both sides and never have any problems.

[Paula D.]

Amoret, I think PD Quilt is talking about the rotary cutter. It has a handle that goes off to the side. If you are left handed you would need one that has a handle that goes off to the left side. I have a right sided one and it works well but you have to buy their blades for it or it doesn't work well. I think the original question was about rulers and I don't understand either since I just turn mine around and it works for either hand.

[Paula D.]

I can use the ruler fine its just that when making cuts the numbers count down( 6, 5 4 instead of 4 5 6 ) instead of up on edge of ruler closest to me. Makes it easy to make mistakes. That's why I tend to flip the ruler over.

[Teri L.]

The Creative Grids and Olfa rulers have tackled this problem nicely having the numbers running in both directions.

Teri

[Annette R.]

Even if my numbers go the right way, my brain doesn't always. So after many mistakes when cutting. 5 1/2 instead of 6 1/2 etc. etc. I use a piece of blue painters tape on my ruler at the right line. and if I can reverse the ruler accidentally I mark an arrow on it showing the right direction. If I am squaring up blocks, I use two strips of painters tape to show the right corner. (my square cutting rulers have a half inch added to the measurement on two sides but not on the other two -- easy to get confused for me). Usually I am only cutting one project at a time so this works well for me. It is especially helpful when I get interrupted in the middle of a project and can't remember what I was doing when I come back. Distractions are my worst enemy in quilting so any trick I can find to help me remember where I was at is good. Ann

[Diane O.]

To keep your rulers from moving when rotary cutting, try some INVISIGRIP CLEAR NON SLIP BACKING FOR RULERS. It is manufactured by Omnigrid. I bought mine from JoAnns and it works great to keep your rulers from slipping. You could probably use some cling vinyl, which is what InvisiGrip basically is. It would be cheaper to get this product than to purchase new rulers.

Diane in Colorado Springs

[Diane O.]

Oh the numbers!! Well I never take much notice of them and always count twice anyway ops: Or use tape if I'm going en masse!

Could you put a sticky circle over the number and re write it or a bit of Tippex correction fluid?

[Eileen K.]

I'm missing something here. I'm left handed and I've never noticed anything about the numbers on the rulers. :?:

My biggest problem is that my cutting mats' numbers on the long edges only go in one direction. I tend to just throw the mat down, get my fabric all squared up and then notice that I'm at the wrong end. Duh, me!!! :lol:

eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

I don't know about the rulers, but I have a Fiskars rotary cutter, and with that cutter you can take it apart and put it back together "backwards" for lefties 8)

[Beth A.]

My problem is those rulers that are 6 1/2" or 12 1/2" long. I constantly confuse which side I'm cutting from and cut too big or too small. Too big isn't a problem (unless I don't notice it til I've sewn it into the block), but too small is a real pain.

I'm just going back to solid inch rulers and just dealing with the extra 1/2" in other ways!

BethMI

[Barbara C.]

Ruth...... One day I was wishing for a left handed ruler and then I watched TQS with Marti Michell as a guest. Needless to say I went and got all three of her My Favoirte Rulers and I love them!
http://www.frommarti.com/

Another ruler that is not bad is by Guidelines.
http://www.guidelines4quilting.com/

I like the Guideline ruler but must confess I removed all the doo hicky stuff and just use it as a ruler. ;-)

Barbara

[Barbara C.]

I am left-handed also. I don't have much trouble with rulers...but it is the cutting mats.

I am always looking for the perfect cutting mat. When placing my fabric on the mat...the measuring lines are covered by the fabric.
I am constanting checking and rechecking the cutting lines.
Why not have the cutting lines extend beyond the numbers?

I finally took a thin sharpy and extended the lines below so that I can see them. Yes...I know..I can use the lines above on the mat..but there are times I am 1/8 off because I don't line up on the bottom.

It makes sense to lay my fabric on the line...and to be able to see 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 etc. and cut without having to adjust my fabric each time.

As for my rulers slipping...I put a dot of hot glue on my rulers...or I have those sandpaper dots which grip the fabric.

FW

[Eileen K.]

FW,
What a great idea!! I never thought of extending the lines. I just whined a lot :lol:
I saw a video of Jodie Davis at market talking to the guy from Guidelines and he showed her a tool to put a 6x12 ruler end to end with a 6x24 ruler. That made a 6x36 ruler so we can turn the mat and cut without so many folds!

On a totally different subject, I took a chunk out of my right forefinger the other night because of bad lighting.
What side should the light be for a lefty to not have shadows on the work?
eileenkny