1/4" Rulers for long arms

[Annis C.]

Hi Everyone,

I finally took the plunge. Even after much conversation on another thread advising me to go with a long arm on a frame, I ended up buying the Babylock Tiara sit down machine. My dealer was great and got a really good deal. I just don't have the space for a frame. It was not in the cards. But that's not what this is about.

Can anyone help me? I know we aren't supposed to mention names and sites, but I am having a terrible time finding rulers and templates in the 1/4" material. I find a couple sites but they only seem to have just a scant few for choices. Am I doing my search wrong? Any direction would be greatly appreciated. I am so looking forward to being able to finally use structured tools to create even and pretty designs on my tops. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Sharon

[Kathryn S.]

Sharon, congrats on your new Tiara! I have the sweet sixteen sit down which is the same machine with a different label . There is a yahoo group for the sweet sixteen sit down that talks a LOT about rulers. Handiquilter sells some rulers, and there are lots of other vendors too. Check out Jamie Wallen's site for rulers and also you tube videos that are helpful. Using rulers on a sit down machine is not that easy. You have to figure out how to hold the ruler down while moving the fabric! I would suggest getting one ruler and trying that for a while. There's a ruler called the Line Tamer that has a slot in the center to hold the foot securely while quilting a straight line, that's a good one to look into for your first ruler. It's available lots of places, even at Nancy's notions. Be sure to get the correct center opening, there is also one for a different size hopping foot.

Having some sticky stuff on the bottom of the ruler helps to hold it down without too much effort. I've used double sided tape, also there are commercially available gripper things. Handiquilter has something, I think.

If you have the stitch regulator (I don't) it is much easier to maintain an even stitch length while using the rulers.

Kathy

[Susan B.]

Once your start looking, just hold on to your credit card. There are so many to choose from. Like Kathy, I've purchased from several different vendors and like the Handiquilter templates and Jamie Wallen's at http://www.quiltersapothecary.com the best. The ones that are most useful have quarter inch, 45 degree and 60 degree markings etched on them. These sources have videos on how to use the templates.

http://www.handiquilter.com/shop/pro...ndi-versatool/ is a great place to start for not only ditch quilting, but for all kinds of designs.

I do not find the Line Tamer easy to use.

I have one arc from a company that has little holder posts coming off the template on the perpendicular. They break off. Jamie's are easy to hold and his latest ones add more angles.

Elmer's Dots (sold by Handiquilter but probably available elsewhere) are great because they help the ruler grip the fabric without overly doing so, and unlike the sandpaper dots which I find ridiculously expensive, there are a lot of dots in the applicator.

Kimmy Brunner has a Craftsy course on Precision Quilting using Templates which may be on 50% sale right now. If not, just wait, it will be. Don't be afraid to watch long-arm videos on using templates. All of the information is applicable, just some of it is a little different.

The more I use rulers, the more I like them.

Did you get the overlay for your table? This is a huge help keeping the templates level.

Congratulations on your new machine. I'm sure you will be in love, if you are not already.

[Sharon E.]

I have a sit down Tin Lizzie. I had a heart attack when I saw the prices of rulers for long arms. So I went to our local glass company and had them cut, with the template on paper I provided, a 1/4" ruler from acrylic. I gave them a 3" x 12" and also made a curve that was 3" wide. I then went to lowes and purchased door handles. My DH drilled the holes for the handles. and now have 2 great rulers that I can use until I can afford the others. These two rulers were about $10.00 each and i love them. I actually got 3/8" thickness. If you go to Amy's Freemotion blog, she only quilts on a domestic and has talked about rulers there. I also love my sit down machine. Sharon in colorado

[Susan B.]

Sharon, what an awesome idea. Did you purchase the acrylic from the glass company or take your own? I wonder if the glass cutters could do any precision etching. Did you have to sand the edges at all?

[Sharon E.]

Sue, no they supplied the acrylic and I just took the paper template of the size I needed. I asked them to soften the edges and it wasn't extra. When my DH drilled the holes for the handles, he set in the screws sew they wouldn't drag on the quilt. I haven't asked for more detailed rulers from them, but thinking about it. I am sure they can do increment measurements if you ask. By the end it might be cheaper to buy the ruler, but you will find out from your glass company.
Let us know, Sharon

[Barbara C.]

Go to lequilters.com. Click on Quilting Supplies, then quilting templates and tools. You will find 3 different size rulers with markings on them. I have a Gammill and like the Gam Guide Jr. for cross hatching and straight lines I have marked on my quilt using Miracle Chalk.

Barbara