Okay, I LOVE gadgets, especially if they really work. Unfortunately most don’t really live up to
their hype. Anyway, I am also always
looking for things that can be used differently than intended.
I wrote recently about blocking and squaring quilts. As I have gained confidence and efficiency,
my quilts have gotten larger. While the
laser works really well to show you the way, with large quilts even the
smallest angle error results in large errors at the other end. Add that I have to cut 2-foot sections (my
longest ruler, not to mention the cutting pad) along the edge and errors only
get larger.
Robbi Joy Eklow uses drop ceiling panels as large rulers to
square up her quilts. They measure 2 ft
by 4 feet. So today I went to Lowes to
check them out. I was disappointed –
they are pretty flimsy. I know my
hamfisted self would break one in a heartbeat.
They are expensive: over $20. So
I checked other departments. In the
sheet rock cutting tools area I discovered a metal ruler 6 feet long! $10.50.
After I apply the little sandpaper disks, I think it’s heavy enough to
stay put. I can lay it along the laser
line, slide the cutting pad underneath without it moving and cut a good
edge. I have, God knows, enough other
rulers to make sure the long ruler is laying square at the corner. Anyway, that’s my intent. I’ll let you know if it actually works as
envisioned!
My new 6 foot long ruler! I will use it to square the quilt I am currently blocking. |
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