Julia Rockwell Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Hi everyone, I am new to using rulers/templates and would really like to be able to do this technique. So my questions is...What's the trick? You can't hold them down because then your machine won't move. How do you keep them from slipping? I'm sure it's just a matter of practice, practice, practice...but you have any suggestions, tips, tricks please let me know. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydids Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Hi Julia, Just like we do with our rotary cutting rulers... you need to have some sort of non slip surface on the back of your LA rulers. You can use sandpaper dots, or other products meant for rulers. Can't think of the name right now, but there is a clear film type stuff that you cut to the shape of your ruler and it just clings to the ruler and helps to grip the fabric. Look under notions on Columbia River supplies or KingsMen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belbelle Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 You also need some sort of expanded base to maintain a stable platform for the rulers. I have the Hartley Expanded base, but there are several other types that our quilters use and like, so you can check them out. And yes, you actually do hold the ruler on the quilt and move the machine along the edge / around the template. Like everything else quilting, it just takes some Practice, Practice, Practice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmen Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Julia, An expanded base is a must have, if you are doing ruler work. Then don't hold them down so hard that the machine dosen't have a chance to move. http://www.youtube.com/user/offtheedgequilting#p/a Look at how she is holding the template and PPP and must of all enjoy the process. Carmen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Welcome to the chat Julia. There is a certain pressure that you must maintain to hold the ruler down, not enough...the ruler moves, too much...the machine will not move. It really is all in practicing. I have Donita Reeve's Ruler Mate base and really lilke it. It lives on my machine except for thorough cleanings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Porch Quilting Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Clear stuff is called invisigrip. Make sure you don't have a death grip or it will not let the machine move. Keep good control over your ruler so it doesn't end up under your needle. Make sure the rulers you use are made for your machine (foot). And of course the best is PPP so you get used to how it feels. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Rockwell Posted October 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Thanks for all your replies. I do have a ruler base on my machine. It looks like I will just have PPP. I will try different things like the film & dots and see what I like best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinneaMarie Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I got some stuff from Kingsmen for my rulers and I think for the longarm it works better than Invisigrip. It is called Sew Grippy. It's little circles like the cushioned shelf liner, and it is self adhesive. $4.00 for 20 of them. They work great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAQuilts Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Julia, Go to UTube and search for a Ruler Video to watch. Also Quilter's Rule website has a few demo video's. This will give you an idea of how it's done. I had to go this route to learn how to use my rulers in the beginning, as I'm unable to go to classes or shows. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerstin Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Here's another trick: Try some, really a little of a temporary adhesive fabric spray on the ruler ... it won't slip so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Another trick, You can place several fingers on the ruler and one or two on the fabric which will keep the ruler in place, but I too use lots of those sandpaper dots! They are on all of my rulers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schlick Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 If you want something similiar to the sandpaper dots, you might check out grip tape for skateboards. It comes in clear and it works beautifully. I found it locally at a skateboard/bike shop and it's also available on Ebay. I cut it into 1/2 squares and put it on all my rulers. Here's a link to a piece on Ebay. Or you can search on Ebay for clear grip tape. http://cgi.ebay.com/9x33-CLEAR-GRIPTAPE-GRIP-TAPE-SKATEBOARD-SHEET-FastShip_W0QQitemZ150295925112QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item22fe55d178 Renee' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinneaMarie Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I think the sandpaper dots might be a little rough on your quilts??? Clear grip tape sounds like the ticket!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Maybe I am light on the grip as I haven't had any problems with my quilts and the sandpaper dots, I have even done several embroidered ones and no threads/problems! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schlick Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 The grip tape for skateboards has a gritty texture similiar to sandpaper dots, it's just a little smoother or maybe finer. I prefer the grip tape because for me it grips a little better and lasts a lot longer than the sandpaper dots. Maybe I put too much pressure on my rulers/templates but the sandpaper dots didn't last very long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebug Posted October 22, 2009 Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 the only issue i have encountered with the sandpaper dots: it will 'snag' the thread of embroideries... keep PPP the ruler work....it takes some time to get a feel for it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Rockwell Posted October 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 This is definately going to take a lot of practice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Rockwell Posted February 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 Just thought I would give an update. I used rulers for the first time on a quilt yesterday and...l had so much fun and did really well and I didn't even add anything to the ruler. A lot easier than I thought! Thanks for all the tips everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaii Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 Julia, Pictures????? I bet your quilt turned out nice! Using rulers IS fun!! When I first started using rulers on the extended base (homemade), I was fearful of that my machine would jump onto the ruler. But with practice, just like every other technique, it gets easier! Sometimes I get "stuck" in fear and it takes a while before I will try a new tool. But the sooner I jump into using it, the faster I build my confidence with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Rockwell Posted February 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Wanted to post pictures but can't figure out how to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 It does take practice. Like others have said you have to have an extenda base. I would be able to use the tacky stuff on the ruler, because I like to slide the ruler along as I go. Be careful not to get the ruler tangled up with the hopping foot. Just take your time, you will get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nora123 Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Hey Julie, I went to the hardware store and got fine sand paper with a peel and stick backing and cut it into tiny pieces and stuck it to the templates. Put on a base expander, that is very inportant. The fine sand paper gives you just enough grip to keep the template in place. Apply some presure to the template but not enough to keep the machine from moving. JMTCW. Nora Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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