Ruler: a hard, straight edged surface to cut against, to keep your materials from sliding, to make accurately measured cuts and to keep your fingers away from the line of cutting.

 • They are available as heavy acrylic (clear, with grid markings) or plastic-edged metal ruler.

 •The most useful ruler for quilting is one that is 6" by 24".

 • Rulers used for rotary cutting are marked in with a 1" grid with markings representing 1/8", 1/4", and 1/2" of an inch.

 • Besides the basic rectangular acrylic ruler, there are other measuring tools in squares, diamonds, and wedges in various degree measurement shapes.

 • There are also mats with vertical lines and arcs with helpful degree notations (90-degrees, 60-degrees, 45-degrees, 30-degrees). There are also two sets of diagonal lines. One set of lines is 1" apart and the other set is 2" apart.

 • Handles are available that attach by suction cups to hold your materials in place.

 • If you’re cutting fabric layers, you can choose soft or hard surfaced mats and rulers.

 • If cutting through rigid materials like pasteboard (create your own hang tags, Artist Trading Cards, business cards, accessorized boxes to hold your bears) use cutting boards and rulers with the softer surfaces so the materials don’t slip.

 • Keep the rotary cutter's blade vertical against the edge of the ruler. If the cutter's blade is tilted either right or left, you'll get an inaccurate cut.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Points to Consider before you purchase:

 • Many mat sizes available, from 5” squares to folding 18” x 24”, one of the most popular tabletop sizes.

There is also an Olfa rotating mat, though a bit pricey, but wonderful when cutting continuous curving or multi-angled cuts.

 • Consider the space you have available, for work and storage, when deciding mat which is right for you.

 •Buy the largest you can afford; you’ll almost always wish later it was bigger.

 • Check that the grid actually is correctly marked as 1/2”, 1” , etc.

 • The marked lines are generally thick 1/16” to 1/8” thick, which reduces accuracy of measured widths.

 • Lines are subject to wear and distortion over time.

 • Store the mats flat and out of direct sunlight. Don’t roll or store them vertically. They may be hung for storage.

 • If exposed to freezing they may become too brittle to use safely.

 • All four edges of both ruler and mat are fully numbered and graduated with 1/8" hash marks extending beyond the zero base line for convenience.

 • Non-glare, non-stick surface is impervious to abrasions and liquid spills.

 • Reversible surfaces; smooth and ‘bumpy’ to grip the fabric.

 • Hanging holes for convenient storage; don’t allow unsupported areas or corners to curl.

 • No offensive odor, easy to clean with a soft cloth a nd mild detergent.

There is a mat cleaner tool that pulls the thread beards out of entrapment in the cutting lines. Over time the tool may eliminate some of the mat markings, but it’s always preferable to work on a clean surface. The edge of a credit card, held at a 45° angle and lightly scraped of the surface also works the bits and fibers out of cuts.

Which is better for me? Think about how, where and with what you’ll use it.

Hard, plastic feel:

 • Blade doesn’t enter mat

 • Easier on your arm to cut
 •Less likely to warp – good for travel/class

Soft, vinyl feel:

 •Less pressure used to cut through materials

 •Thinner & more flexible

 •Less like to dull blades

Brand names commonly found:

Olfa

Dritz

June Taylor – hard surface, built-in handle

And Remember:

    Measure twice, cut once!