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Draft Patterns and Templates with ease using the fast2mark Quilter’s Rulers

National Sewing Month 2013Hello – my name is Allison Rosen and I am delighted to be here on behalf of C&T Publishing, the home of Stash Books and FunStitch Studio!

In November, we are debuting a ruler duo named  fast2mark 6″ & 18″ Quilter’s Rulers that have a beveled edge to accurately measure, mark & draft for perfect patterns & pieces every time.

Created by Mary Knapp, the author of Star Quilts, these rulers have been designed for accuracy every time.

Star Quilts by Mary Knapp for C&T Publishing 
I have been bitten by the paper piecing bug big time and love using the freezer paper paper piecing method (let’s call it FPPP for short, OK?) combined with these rulers to achieve great results!

 The inspiration for this project came from the block above (hint: this block is from the book Modern Blocks!)

 With the fast2mark 6″ & 18″ Quilter’s Rulers in hand, I started drawing lines on the paper side of the freezer paper.

 The width of the ruler seemed like the perfect way to easily measure and draw out the block.

 For the FPPP method, you need to pre-score all the lines you draw.

 Make sure you pre-score the line all the way across the paper. Above, these is a drawn line, so that’s a definite place to pre-score.

 In this photo, you can see that I extended the scoring line right across the page.

 see?

 And then you look at it again, and sometimes you just have to make a design decision (and yes, in this case, a time-sensitive decision!) and cross out some of the lines to make it simpler for this method. (note: I have done really complicated patterns with FPPP and it holds it own quite well!)

 see ya’ later alligator.

 Fabric! I chose a Jelly Roll from Eric and Julie Comstock (aka Cosmo Cricket) called ‘Baby Jane’

 I divided them up by color.

 Red in the center just felt right! The freezer paper is shiny side up and the fabric is laid on top with right side up.

 Use a pres cloth to secure the fabric to the shiny side.

 Press.

 Fold back on the line between #1 and #2

 The freezer paper that was ironed down releases quite easily so you fold it away.

 Flip the whole thing over, and lay down the fabric for position #2 with right sides facing.

 At the sewing machine – use a teflon presser foot so that it doesn’t get stuck on the shiny side of the freezer paper. (trust me). And then you sew just NEXT to the paper, going only through the fabric.

 Flip open, press.

 Trim down the seam allowance to 1/4″ for the next seam in position #3.

 I love how flat it lays down!

 Now fold the freezer paper away again, take it back to your sewing machine, and once again, sew just NEXT to the paper.

 Time to add #4.

 Peel back the freezer paper. Trim the seam allowance.

 Add the next piece of fabric – again right sides together.

 Sew – flip open, and press.

 And just keep repeating these steps until you have sewn all the way around.

 An in progress shot.

 Everything is sewn, and now you trim!

 I like to use the add a quarter ruler.

 The trimmed block.

 And from the back.

 And now for the absolute best part of freezer paper paper piecing!! You just life off the whole piece – and you can use it again! No tugging out little papers!

 So about the fast2mark 6″ & 18″ Quilter’s Rulers — a couple of things to note. The measurements start in from the end – see above, where I’m pointing to? I thought that the edge was a 1/4 inch mark at first, but it is actually better than that! It is moved in a little so that you always know where to start and where to stop the pencil, pen, etc.

 No more sliding off the end of the ruler with a curve. arg.

 A beveled edge to keep your pencil close.

 But a perfectly sharp edge as well.

And see? I told you that the freezer paper could be used more than once! I did 3 blocks with just one sheet and it’s ready for more!
Whew! That was fun!
A huge thank you to Moda for allowing us to post this information about our upcoming fast2mark 6″ & 18″ Quilter’s Rulers! Look for it in November.
We will be giving away one of our fast2mark 6″ & 18″ Quilter’s Rulers to one lucky winner! Since this is a pre-release item – you will receive your prize directly from C&T Publishing as soon as it is available!
To enter please leave a comment telling us your favorite measuring device!
You will have until September 30th at midnight to comment. All winners will be randomly selected and announced on Moda…The Cutting Table Blog on October 2nd.
Make sure to visit the blog every day for the opportunity to win each giveaway!”

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150 thoughts on “Draft Patterns and Templates with ease using the fast2mark Quilter’s Rulers”

  5. Thanks for the neat paper piecing technique. My favorite measuring device is my 6″ square olfa ruler-at least it’s the most used in my sewing room. Thanks for the chance to win this ruler that just might become my new favorite.

  6. What an interesting technique! Thanks for sharing! Since I am fairly new to this my favorite measuring tool is my Creative Grid rulers! I always use those!! Thanks for the chance to win!

  11. Currently my favorite ruller is my Quilters Rule Square – Block Lap Board. It measures 12 1/2 x 12 1/2. Thanks so much for the great tutorial and your giveaway 🙂

  14. My favorite ruler is my 8.5 x 24 inch ruler. I use it all the time. This was a great tutorial on a different way to paper piece. I’d love a chance to win this new ruler set.

  18. This looks great, thank you for sharing. my favourite is my 24″ by 6″ ruler, I use it all the time for my edges and cutting strips.
    ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

  25. This looks great…. love the block you made! I love my older than dirt 12″ squaring ruler. I’ve had it since the 80’s and it’s still my favorite. Thanks for the giveaway!

  26. BRILLIANT!! I love this way of PPing!! The freezer paper is actually your sewing guide! Love it!! My favourite ruler (so far) is the June Taylor in the groove ruler…can’t remember the exact name of it but it is great! Your rotary cutter fits right into the groove. Thanks for the chance to win this little gem!! Looks like a winner!
    Paulette

  34. I think this ruler has just become my future favorite measuring device, lol. My favorite one right now is a flat see through 6 inch clear ruler by The C-Thru Ruler company. I use it for all close measurement.

  36. Like you, I have fallen for the foundation piecing style of quilting. There’s something about the excitement of final outcome that is always a sweet surprise! Would love to win the rulers!!

  39. Wow ~ thanks a bunch for the chance to win these awesome new tools to make paper piecing so much fun! 😀 I love my Creative Grids Quick Trim Ruler. It’s a great size to keep near the sewing machine.

    my nana maree @ yahoo . com

  45. I like to draft patterns,so this ruler would be terrific! The add a quarter is a perfect measuring device for foundation piecing. I need to try your freeezer paper method! Easy removal of the paper woudl be a big improvement!

  50. My ‘go-to’ rulers are the 6×12 and the 12″ square. All the angles you need are on the 6×12 and the square to square off your fabric.

  52. What a fantastic technique! I haven’t been brave enough to try paper piecing yet, but feel more confident having seen this.
    I use my 6 x 24 rectangular ruler the most when measuring.

  53. Right now, since I am “into” paper piecing also, I am enamored with the Add-A-Quarter ruler for trimming seam allowances, but I also have always loved Omnigrip rulers in all sorts of sizes. But these two new measurers look really interesting!

  54. I love the Lazy Girl Flying Geese 4×4 ruler. It is marked so that you know exactly what two sizes of blocks to cut to quickly make 2 fying geese in no time.

  55. I use the add a quarter ruler all the time, since my favorite piecing method is foundation paper piecing. I am going to try the freezer paper method today. Thanks for the tutorial.

  57. I’m fairly new to paper piecing. I’ve only made one whole quilt using this method. And THAT was an adventure lol. I had to read this twice before I actually understood it. (so I’m a little dense) Looks pretty interesting and paper pieces!!

  58. Thanks for including your FPPP method and demo. I’ve never used that for PP, so think I’ll try that next time! My fave rulers are both my 6.5″ square ruler when I’m working with blocks, and my 6.5″ X 18″ ruler as project gets bigger. I’d love to work with this new ruler. Thanks!

  60. oops I got all carried away with commenting on the blog I forgot about the question lol. My go to ruler is my 6″x24″ but I’m seriously looking at the one that sharpens the blade when you use it

  62. I love this method of paper piecing because you don’t have to tear away any paper – but you definitely have to use a teflon foot. My go-to ruler is my 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 big enough for just about everything. I am an OMNI grid user, the old yellow ones. I try to always use the same brand/type so the marking always match.

  63. I have an 8 inch by 1 inch ruler which has a 1/8 inch line on one side and a 1/4 inch on the other. There is also a 1/2 line down the middle. I find myself grabbing that yellow clear plastic ruler all the time.

    These rulers look really interesting. Love your demo of freezer paper piecing!

  69. I just learned this technique this last winter. I used it to make my Dear Jane blocks. Love it. I have two favorite rulers my 6 1/2 ” x 24″ and 3″ x 24″. Thanks for the chance to win this new one. I think it will help with the Dear Jane blocks.

  71. Every post i see something new and exciting. i continue to learn tips and tricks. I mostly use the 6×24 because until this month blog, I didn’t know what to do with all the rulers. Thanks

  76. I’ve always rather liked paper-piecing but I’ve not seen this method with freezer paper. Love how you can reuse it and the rulers worked so well for drafting the pattern. I’m going to give it a try.

  78. Since I’m very new to quilting I’d have to say that my most used measuring device is the 1″x6″ or the 4″x4″ ruler. I’ve been working on two quilts that have 3″ squares and HSTs. Thanks for the chance to win these rulers!

  80. My 6 1/2 x 24 inch rulers are my favorites. I love your paper piecing technique, no more small pieces of paper to pick out. The ruler looks great,too. Thanks for the chance to win one.

  86. I use the 6″ x 24″ ruler a lot! Although I use the square ones as well. Love the freezer paper trick! I’ve used the perforating the lines first technique but I’m definitely going to try this.

  89. I have a 2X18 acrylic ruler that I use a lot plus a 6 1/2 inch square. I definitely like your new rulers with the beveled edge. It will be so much easier for accurate measuring.

  92. My favourite is my 6 1/2 inch square ruler.

    To bad your ruler doesn’t have inches on one side and cm / mm on the other. Sometimes the metric measurements are really handy for drafting.

  96. So far, my favorite measuring device is the first ruler I ever purchased. It is an O’Lipfa ruler. It’s 4″x 24″. I would like to make my new favorites your lovely new rulers… 😎

  97. I just purchased last week the add a quarter ruler. I tried it and love it. I’m sure my daughter will use it and it will end up at her house. Oh we’ll! I need to buy two of everything. Thank you for the chance to win!

  103. This is a great technique. Thanks for the tutorial. I like my 6 x 12 ruler. I also like my 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 ruler for keeping things in check while I am piecing

  115. Easy peasy – Bloc Loc 4.5 inch half square triangle tool. Love your paper piecing tutorial. What did you score the paper with, just an ordinary stiletto?

  116. I can’t wait to try this technique, it looks very easy and saves all that ripping out.
    My favorite measuring device is an index card. All the lines are exactly 1/4″ apart. I can keep one in my purse all the time and I can make notes of them if I want to.
    Michelle

  119. Thanks for the FPPP tutorial. I’ve heard of FPPP, but never knew how to do it. My favorite rulers are my 8.5 x 24 and 4 x 6 rulers. Thanks for the chance to win a fast2mark ruler!

  122. My favorite tool to measure with is my 2 1/2″ X 6 1/2″ ruler. It’s the perfect size to fit in my hand piecing bag and love it for when I need to measure more than one inch by whatever. Looks like two neat rulers and would love to give them a try.

    Thank you for a super giveaway and the chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  125. I love my 24 x 6″ ruler. After reading all these new blogs it looks like I need to go on a shopping spree and get a bunch of new rulers etc. to try out. How exciting. Thank you for the chance to win!

  126. I’ve got many rulers but my favorites have been the square rulers – I have a 3 1/2″, 8 1/2″, 12 1/2″ and a 16 1/2″ that I use all the time. This looks like a great technique to use.

  127. My favorite measuring device? For small things, it’s my old (and I do mean old) metal seam gauge. But I also use an assortment of acrylic rulers and cloth measuring tapes. And now I see there are more rulers I absolutely must add to my collection! Thanks for the chance to win.

  130. Your tutorial was great, I will try it for sure. Would love to get better at paper piecing as I have a couple of intricate quilts I want to make. Hopefully your trick is just what I need. My favorite tool is my 1/4″ ruler, how did I ever survive without it? 🙂

  132. Wow – thank you for a great tutorial on your rulers. My favorite ruler would be a six inch ruler as it is always in my sewing kit.

  135. This freezer paper technique looks really easy. I love that block. My favorite is my 6 x 12 ruler. It’s just the right size for me & I can take it to all my classes without having it stick out all over. Thanks for the great tutorial.

  139. I too like many use the 6″ x 24″ ruler. These new fast2mark™ 6″ & 18″ Quilter’s Rulers would be another great tool to have in my sewing arsenal. good tutorial ion the process.

  145. Way too hard to answer this question. I am the ruler queen! I have so many…normal ones and all kinds of specialty rulers. I have none for paper piecing and this sounds like a great method to try. Thanks for the chance to win.

  150. I hope to try this technique. Thx for great tutorial. So glad you are back podcasting and doing all this other great c&t projects.

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