PRODUCT REVIEW: Fussy Cut Rulers

fussy cut  /ˈfəsē/  /kət/ 
verb
1. (quilting) To cut pieces of fabric so that a particular part of the printed design is centered or featured.

                                                                   

Coming up in our Block of the Week project, there are many fun opportunities to do some fussy cutting.  In my own quilt, I used the technique in eleven of the thirty-one blocks.  It just adds that fun detail that causes people to stop and take a second look.

As I have sought to find the perfect fussy cut rulers, these are the options that I have come across.

Fons & Porter
I have been on the hunt for a set of rulers with a number of sizes that are useful. This one has five! (2", 3", 4", 5", 6")  As you can see in the pictures, it's very easy to frame what you want to fussy cut.

The high points:

• Beautifully clear acrylic
• A centering mark
• Frosted edges that really let you see what will show in your block once it's sewn
• They are slip-resistant because of the edge frosting

The drawbacks:

• There are not diagonal centering lines, which I have found useful in other rulers

Creative Grids
Another good choice is the 8 1/2" Creative Grids Square-it-Up or Fussy Cut Ruler.

This is an 8-in-1 ruler with small holes at the corners of each of 7 square sizes through which you can mark your fussy cutting corners (the 8th is the outside of the ruler).  It also serves as a squaring ruler for the same sizes.  It's pretty nifty, and it does have the Creative Grids non-slip feature, which I love.

The high points:

• Beautifully clear acrylic
• Diagonal, horizontal and vertical lines to center your design
• Non-slip
• Lots of sizes in one ruler
• Multi-purpose

The drawbacks:

• Not as easy to use as the individual rulers
• Lots of lines that can give a feeling of "clutter"

Quilt in a Day
These two sets can work well together.  The first has 3 sizes (3", 4", 6") The second has a 2" along with two mini-flying geese rulers.

High points:

• Clear acrylic
• Diagonal lines to center your design

Drawbacks:

• Limited sizes in the sets
• They are not slip-resistant.

Whichever type you use, they are invaluable in easing the way in making the right fussy cuts!

To take a look at this selection of rulers, click on the button below:

Happy Fussy Cutting!!

This review was first seen on the Piecing the Past Quilts Blog.