Frequently Asked Questions:
1) Would Guidelines
help a first time quilter or is it
meant for more experienced users?
2) How
does Guidelines compare with
conventional quilting rulers?
3) Is Guidelines for both right
and left handers?
4) What is Scant Quarter Inch Seam Allowance and Why do I need to use it?
1) Would Guidelines help a first time quilter or is it meant for more experienced users?
Every successful quilt starts with accurately cut pieces. Guidelines is a great quilting tool for any quilter who wants to achieve accuracy in quilt piece cutting. Just like the Rotary Cutter, every quilter will benefit from using it.
Accuracy:
For a first time quilter, it can really take the fun out of quilting if, no matter how accurately you sew them together, things just don’t lay right. Beginners will find the quilting process easier and less frustrating with Guidelines because it ensures accurate quilt piece cutting.
For experienced quilters, it's really about the colors and textures of the fabric they choose and how they all work together in the finished quilt. Cutting out the individual pieces is all prep work to get to that point. Guidelines helps them get it done not just more accurately but in significantly less time.
2) How does Guidelines compare with other quilting rulers?
Here are problems you may have with other quilting rulers and Guidelines' Solutions for them:
Problem 1. Slipping.
Guidelines' Solution 1:
It has built-in slip stops.
Problem 2. Hard to see - Not being able to see the measurement lines clearly on all colors of fabrics.
Guidelines' Solution 2:
Its measurement lines show up clearly on any colors of fabric.
Problem 3. Inaccurate - The measurement lines look all the same, and it's hard to make sure fabric is accurately lined up to a measurement line each time.
Guidelines' Solution 3:
It comes with Fabric Guides that clearly highlight any measurement line in 1/8" increments.
3) Is Guidelines for both right and left handers?
Yes. Guidelines is designed for both left and right handed quilters. The measurement line numbers on the Ruler run in both directions. 1 through 5 starting from the right edge of the Ruler for right handers and 1 through 5 starting from the left edge of the Ruler for left handers. The angle lines also run in both directions. Right handers will be cutting on the right side of the Ruler, left handers on the left.
4) What is a Scant Quarter Inch and What is a Scant Quarter Inch Seam Allowance for?
A Scant Quarter Inch is a measurement that is 1 to 2 thread-width narrower than an exact Quarter Inch.
Don't we need an exact Quarter Inch Seam Allowance? Why should it be a Scant Quarter Inch?
Just like any lines have some width, a seam line has 1 to 2 thread width. So, if you measure & mark the exact quarter inch around quilt piece and sew them together, you will be sewing into the finished piece by 1 to 2 thread width. The 1 to 2 thread width may sound insignificant, but when you put together quilt pieces in this manner, a little adds up to the major inaccuracy in the entire quilt.
When you measure & mark a Scant Quarter Inch, combined with the seam line you end up adding to the seam allowance make the perfect quarter inch.
Guidelines4Quilting's Prep-Tool is a scant quarter inch width. You can use it to: