So, in my 3 days of owning some FMQ rulers, I have learned a few things. I purchased A Westalee starter set. It has six rulers in the package. I payed $75.00 for them. I think the price is about average. I have a Bernina machine, so I could purchase the High Shank set and learned that I could use any long arm rulers, which was good to know. The rulers came with some non-slip adhesive that sort of reminded me of weird shelf liner. You can see it in my photo of the rulers. It is the longer skinny piece (white). I found that these did not grip good enough, so I purchased the Handi-Quilter ruler grips (the shorter fatter whitish piece in the photo). They are like sandpaper on steroids, only it is sort of clear. Worked much better for me. Provided great grip.
After I started practicing, I ended up having to watch more videos on how to use all the lines on the rulers. If you can see my clam-shells, they are all off. Once I watched the video on the clam-shell ruler, I totally got it. YouTube has tons of videos, even on those specific Westalee rulers.
So, I certainly need more practice, which I hope to get to this weekend at some point. I am thinking of doing the small clam-shell on the border of my One Monthly Goal Table Topper project. That remains to be seen though.
Happy Sewing
Happy Quilting
Hi Lori,
I think you scalloped border looks great! This is your first attempt at ruler, and you have it going on. YouTube is fab, isn’t it? Anything you ever wanted to know or not is there. I have to try those Handi-Quilter grips. I had trouble with the ruler slipping a bit, or else I was holding it with a death grip which tires out your hand! You’re doing great. ~smile~ Roseanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love YouTube. Try those grips, made a difference for sure. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve made a great start. I think I’ll put some rulers on my Santa list. I’ve got enough other crafty things to keep me going until then 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! That would be an awesome gift.
LikeLike
Well done for even trying to machine quilt with rulers Lori. Keep practicing. I think what you’ve done so far looks fab x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lucie!
LikeLike
OH you want to make me get my rulers out and learn how to do more on my Longarm!!!!!!
Great for you Lori! I had never looked at them before, Nancy Notions sells them also.
Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
So far, so good for me. Still need more practice though.
LikeLike
Those first attempts look wonderful to me! Sure you’ll improve, but your first efforts look quite amazing to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kathy!
LikeLike
I never heard about these rulers before and I checked out the link you shared. They look great and I hope they work well for quilting, looking forward to seeing what you do with them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will let you know how it goes. Thanks!
LikeLike
Better you than me, sister! i’ll Just watch while YOU do the ruler work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this post and I’m all over their site now. I have a Tin Lizzie (or two 😉 ) and their site doesn’t specify that brand but I’m certain one of the brand types they offer will work. I’m so BAD at FMQ that ruler work is a must. And it’s becoming so popular now. I’ve had a ruler table for my longarm for over a year and I attached it once, but didn’t do justice to the work involved. Thank you so much Lori for providing a new source for rulers!
LikeLike
Brave girl! Thanks for leading the way with rulers…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sandra
LikeLike
Your practice looks great. I’m having a little trouble with mine. My machine is skipping stitches with them. I’m going to try again now that I have my machine back from the shop. The tech said he doesn’t do ruler foot but maybe he fixed whatever was wrong anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would not think that the Ruler foot itself would cause that. I hope it works for you. Can’t wait to see what you do!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was excited to read your post…I’ve been wondering if quilting with rulers would be my next venture. Thanks for sharing the link…. your practice shells look great to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You!
LikeLike
In my opinion, clamshells are one of the harder designs to do accurately, so don’t beat yourself up over not having the first one be perfect. I think the second one looks great! I want these rulers, too, but I don’t even have time to think about the learning curve right now, so I’ll wait until the end of summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Susan…. I will keep practicing….
LikeLike
Lori looks like you are off to a great start! Thank you for the review of the rulers and the nonslip grips. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very Welcome Cindy!
LikeLiked by 1 person