Hey Everyone, welcome back to Technique Tuesday.

There are times when the ruler just isn’t wide or long enough. It doesn’t matter whether it is the 8 ½″ or 6 ½″ x 24″ that you have there are always times when the ruler just isn’t the right size.

What can be done about this little problem without going out and buying a new ruler? Now if one ruler is all that you own then a ruler purchase may be necessary.

Making Width Of Fabric Strips Which Are Wider Than Your Ruler

Suppose we want to create an eleven inch square fabric and the only rulers available are an 8 ½″ x 24″ and a 6 ½″ x 24″.  No problem as these two rulers together will do the job.

First, place the 8 ½″ ruler on the fabric.

Ruler not wide enough to cut an eleven inch x WOF strip.

Next, place the 6 ½″ one down beside it. Position the 2 ½″ vertical line of the 6 ½″ ruler square with the edge of the fabric. Ensure both rulers are squared up with the top of the fabric and butted up tightly to each other.

Cut along the edge of the 8 ½″ ruler.  Voila an 11″ x width of fabric strip has been cut.

Place the 6 ½″ ruler along side the other ruler lining the 2 ½″ line up on the edge of the fabric.

A square ruler works just as well as a long ruler.

Square ruler in place of a long ruler.

Follow the same process to cut out the eleven inch square from the strip of fabric just cut.

Repeat the same method to cut the square from the strip.

How To Cut Width of Fabric by 30″ Long?

A variation of this method also works for cutting large pieces such as Width of Fabric x 30″. One of the rulers is placed vertically along the fabric and squared up with the top of the fabric while the other one is horizontal and the appropriate vertical line is squared up with the edge of the fabric.

For example, say you have two 24″ long rulers, one 6 ½″ and the other 8 ½″. Place the 8 ½″ ruler across the fabric and then place the 6 ½″ ruler with it’s short edge butted up against the first ruler at right angles.

Position at 21 ½″ line make a Tee with the 8 ½″ Ruler

Position the 6 ½″ ruler so that it is square with the edge of the fabric at the 21 ½″ mark. This will give you 30″ since 8 ½″ plus 21 ½″ equals the 30″ required.

Make sure the 8 ½″ ruler is squared up the full width of fabric by sliding the 6 ½″ ruler along the fabric while keeping the vertical ruler held in place.

Slide the 6 ½″ ruler along the fabric to ensure everything is square before cutting

Cut!

The Diagonal Cut is Too Long

What if the square needs to be cut on the diagonal and the 24″ ruler won’t reach from corner to corner?

It is no good to just cut along the ruler and then push it up to the corner to finish the rest of the cut as it can be so easy to end up with a crooked cut.

This ruler is too short for the job.

My husband also pointed out to me that I just couldn’t add another ruler to the top – which, of course, is what I have been doing all along – but he being the engineer knows best.  This technique, too, could cause the cut to be crooked.

Here is a great way to do add another ruler that ensures you have everything perfectly lined up.

Place the first ruler across your fabric lined up with the bottom corner of the square.

Place the first ruler in position.

Next, butt second ruler along side the first ruler. While keeping both rulers held tight against one another, position them so that the edges of the two rulers line up with the fabric corners.

Position the second ruler along side the first ruler.

Now, butt a third ruler into the corner formed by the first two rulers. Take away the second ruler leaving you with perfectly positioned rulers that stretch all the way across your fabric.

Add the third ruler.

Holding the rulers in place a straight cut can be made from corner to corner. I recommend getting a second pair of hands to help hold the rulers in place so they don’t slip while you are cutting.

The next time the ruler isn’t wide or long enough reach for another ruler to add those extra inches needed. Even a square ruler can do the job.

Happy Quilting!