See the square in the center of this block? It's sitting on it's point. In the past, to rotary cut this square I would have taken the diagonal measurement {which is 3"}, divided it by 1.414 to find the length of the square's side and added 1/2" for seam allowance. My answer would be 2.6216407. Try to find that number on your ruler!
But now I have a brand new ruler -{ingenious it is} - to cut on point shapes.
Don't mix this up with your regular rulers, because the 1" mark is not 1", but will cut a square that is 1" on the diagonal {seam allowance included}. Super easy! The ruler comes with a sheet of instructions for many uses and you can even catch a Youtube video here, where it's designer walks you through the process. Here's a little example:
With a sketch on paper, I can see that I need a center square that measures 3" finished across the diagonal.
Using the 3" line on the On Point ruler, I cut my square. The seam allowance is built in - see the clear area around the edge of the ruler? - that's the seam allowance.
You'll notice in my block drawing that the rectangles are on point also. I knew that the diagonal measurement of the short side was 1 1/2", so I cut a strip using the 1 1/2" mark on the On Point ruler. The instructions suggest laying the ruler on top of a drafted rectangle to determine your markings. Then use the indicated marks for cutting.
I did a bit of thinking and realized my long edge of the smaller rectangle had to be the same size as the square. I trimmed it using the 3" marking.
The long side of my larger rectangle was the same as the side of a square with a 6" diagonal measurement {my finished block size}. I used the 6" marking and voila!
They fit perfectly!
The instructions also explain how to cut half square triangles that sit diagonally in a block. Haven't tried that one yet!
Here's my finished block...
Part of a series of 6" blocks. More to come on that project!
For more information about the ruler visit Donna Lynn Thompson's website!
All in all, I'm super excited about this ruler. I think it will improve accuracy tremendously for on point shapes. I just hope I don't forget how to cut 2.6216407" squares!
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Oh thank you for sharing about this ruler. I have struggled with figuring out those square in a square blocks before, and in frustration, have usually drawn them out and paper pieced them. I will be on the lookout for this ruler.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy!
ReplyDeleteGuess where I'll be later today? Buying this ruler! :)
ReplyDeleteWhile I love the Open Gate ruler that does this sort of thing, this On Point ruler has so many more applications. So thank you! (And I look forward to seeing your block project.)
Why didn't I think of that!! Wonderful idea. I'll keep my eye out for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up on this ruler. I'll be on the lookout! I like your blocks...they look like the setting for my Farmer's Wife quilt!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. This ruler is on my Christmas wish list!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'm generally suspicious of specialty rulers, but this is genius. Thanks for the warning not to mix it up with the other rulers --- I have one with an extra 1/2 inch on one side and I'm always measuring incorrectly.
ReplyDelete