Today I was cutting some strips of fabric with my rotary cutter and a ruler. My ruler kept slipping, causing my cutting line to go crooked. This has happened to me so many times ! It drives me nuts! Then a lightbulb went off in my brain. My husband uses painters tape for a zillion things, so why not try taping each end of the ruler so it will stay in place while I am cutting. IT WORKED! Why hadn't I thought of this before?
I was able to re-use the tape for several cuts. It was still sticky even then. I was using a 2 inch metal ruler,but I'm sure it would work on plastic as well. I used the blue painters tape (2 inch wide )and taped some onto the ruler, leaving about 2 inches free to tape to my cutting board. I hope other sewers and quilters will find this tip a great help.
There is an item that you buy where you bought your templates & rulers. It's called 'ClearGrip' by Sew Easy(TM) - 12.5" X 1yd. It comes on a role & is clear, removable & reusable. It was only AUD$10, so probabaly around USD$8.00. You just cut it to the size of your ruler or template & it will just cling without any glue, etc. as it 'clings' like 'static', so you can easily remove it any time you want. It certainly makes cutting easier & no having to push down hard, to stop things slipping. Have fun quilting. Wendy
By
11/05/2007
good idea! I used the small plasticy rubbery dots used for projets that you don't banging (like my wooden garbage can lid into the wall), you can find them in the same aisle you find those little felt green dots.
By
11/05/2007
A lot of us quilters just stick a strip of sand paper on the bottom of the ruler. That keeps it in place.
By teatimelady (Guest Post)
11/05/2007
What a wonderful idea. I am just learning to quilt and get quite frustrated when I make a cut piece off and not usable. I am going to go to Wal-mart and purchase some of this. Thanks a million for sharing.