Rulerwork is a fantastic way to achieve precise, consistent designs in quilting. Whether you're using a domestic sewing machine or a longarm quilting machine, rulers help create straight lines, curves, and intricate motifs with professional accuracy. If you're new to rulerwork, this guide will walk you through the essential tools, techniques, and tips to get you started with confidence. Investing in high-quality quilting machines can make rulerwork even easier and more efficient.

What You’ll Need

Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools for rulerwork:

• Quilting Rulers – Specifically designed for machine quilting, these rulers are thicker than standard cutting rulers to prevent the presser foot from hopping over them. While Grace Company’s TrueCut rulers are designed to make fabric cutting easy, their ¼” lip makes them effective quilting rulers as well.
• Ruler Foot – This specialized presser foot is designed with a higher lip, so the ruler won’t slip over the top and into the needle (resulting in a broken needle and a broken ruler—yikes!). Grace Company’s Quilt Perfect Ruler Kit has three different ruler feet designed for different rulers.
• Stable Surface – A flat, even workspace helps keep your ruler steady and prevents fabric shifting. If you’re quilting on a Q’nique quilting machine, this means adding a Q’nique Ruler Base to your quilting setup. Most domestics also have compatible ruler tables to provide a good, stable space for your ruler to rest. If you’re quilting with the Little Rebel, use the extension table that comes in the box.
• Grip Aids – Consider adding adhesive grips or sandpaper dots to the back of your rulers to prevent slipping. TrueGrips are transparent adhesive grips, so you won’t have any part of your view obstructed while you do your rulerwork.

 

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Rulerwork: Domestic Machines vs. Longarm Quilting Machines

While rulerwork follows the same basic principles on both domestic and longarm quilting machines, there are key differences to keep in mind:

Domestic Machines

Use your ruler like a handle
When you quilt on a domestic machine, you have to move your quilt sandwich under the needle to create your quilted design. That means, if you’re doing rulerwork, you’ll have to guide both the quilt sandwich and the ruler at once.

This isn’t as difficult as it sounds though. First, place your ruler against the ruler foot’s collar. Then you’ll press one hand down on the ruler and one hand on your quilt sandwich on the opposite side of the needle.

As long as you have enough pressure on the ruler, it should move along with your quilt sandwich instead of slipping over the top. (Again, TrueGrips are a huge help here.)

 

 

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Longarm Quilting Machines

Rulerwork on a longarm is a little simpler than push quilting with rulers. Whereas on a domestic, you have to keep the ruler in place while moving the quilt sandwich, the quilt sandwich stays put in longarming.

So, position your ruler, hold it steady with one hand, and use your other hand to guide your machine around the ruler. Make sure that the collar of your ruler foot is right up against the ruler’s edge, every step of the way.

Longarms enable you to use larger rulers, to move through ruler patterns faster, and to improve the accuracy of your rulerwork overall.

 

 

 

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Tips for Success

• Experiment with Different Rulers – Try straight edges, arcs, and specialty rulers to expand your design possibilities.
• Practice, Practice, Practice! – Start with a quilt sandwich that’s made of fabric and batting, so you don’t make mistakes while finishing a quilt top you care about. Get comfortable with the skill first and then move on to real projects. The more you quilt with rulers, the more natural and fluid it will feel.
• Start with Straight Lines – Practice stitching along the edge of your ruler, keeping consistent pressure to guide the fabric smoothly. Move on to simple curves and geometric patterns to build confidence.
• Maintain a Steady Speed – A slow, even pace helps maintain control and accuracy.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Pause – You don’t have to quilt around the entire ruler template in one go. You can pause and reposition your machine or your hands on the quilt sandwich. Take your time and take breaks.
• Get more rulerwork tips in this short video.

 

With patience and practice, rulerwork can become an invaluable skill in your quilting toolkit. Whether you're adding simple borders or intricate custom quilting, using rulers on high-quality quilting machines will give your projects a polished, professional finish.