Ruler Work on Domestic Sewing Machines: A New Trend?

Happy Cinco de Mayo dear readers! I celebrated with an impromptu visit to the doctor. Turns out what I was hoping was allergies was a pretty bad respiratory infection. I've now got a bunch of meds and should be better soon.

free motion quilting with rulers
Playing with a simple straight ruler.

Have you seen ruler work on sewing machines (and sitdown long arms) is getting a bunch of buzz stirred up on the internet? It's such a great technique and I know folks are going to love it. But it's not all that new to me and most of my readers.

Reader Karen, from Karen's Quilts, Crows, and Cardinals, and Moda Bakeshop designer recently blogged about using rulers on her latest creation for Moda. Check out her post, linked above.

She's using her new templates from The Quilted Pineapple, and I can't wait until I can use mine on a project.

Leah Day even wrote on the Craftsy quilting blog about looking at rulers  at MQX and wanting to now try them too.

I'm not very good at tooting my own horn or being self-promotional, but it's safe to say that I've got the most comprehensive info on this great technique right now, so please do me and the quilters who are new to the technique a favor, and give them a heads up to the information I've posted on the blog about it. Give them a link to here if it is appropriate.

In the meantime, I'm going to work on updating my page on Ruler Work on a Stationary Machine to help those who are new. It's a bit jumbled with bits of older posts that aren't completely relevant in light of the new feet available. I want folks to easily find foot info so they do ruler work safely. To find info on buying rulers and templates that work best for we who move the quilt for our free motion work. And most of all, that it's not as hard as it looks and can help a confident beginner with their quilting. And to know that this isn't just a technique for those with big machines.

Also I have chosen a winner of the Bad*ss Quilter's Society pin. Andrea R will wear it proudly!

28 comments:

  1. Yes Amy you're definitely the leader in this new technique. And such clear and precise instructions too!
    Keep,up the good work.

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    1. Thanks so much! I try my best and I just love sharing my free motion adventures.

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  2. I have long admired your ruler work and am itching to give it a go. Just need that ruler toe foot. You are definitely the leader. Thanks.

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  3. You're definitely ahead of the game, Amy! A trend-setter at the very least. In the FMQ workshops I'm teaching, I've just begun mentioning "ruler work," showing students the foot and Fine Line Ruler to accomplish it. We won't actually DO it in class, but students are at least exposed to the concept. Good on you for sharing your knowledge here, with everyone! You're a generous person.

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    1. Thanks Linda! Since I know you're one for being "in the know" your encouragement means a lot to me.

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  4. With the current availability of ruler feet for the DSM, the interest/awareness has definitely skyrocketed!!! I feel a ton better knowing that the appropriate foot will aid in alleviating the danger of having the ruler slip under/over the standard fmq.......even if the quilter is careful/experienced, the risk is pretty high for some. Thanks so much for all that you have done in gathering info that we all may benefit from!!!!!

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    1. Thanks Doreen! Yes, availability of feet will definitely make this a safer technique, not to mention much easier!

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  5. Amy you simply are the very best. I always enjoy reading and learning from you. You have given all us DSM people a chance, choice and challenge to keep us going. Thanks for taking your time to explain and teach us.
    Up North MN

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    1. Goodness! That's high praise. Thanks so much! Thanks for reading and encouraging me with your comments.

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  6. You are way ahead of everybody! I am so happy to follow your blog. Thank you for all the info. It's difficultand expensive to get rulers in Ireland but I am gradually getting there.

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    1. Thank you Tomomi! You can do a lot with just a simple straight ruler! Anything else you can add over time will grow your design choices and be icing on the cake!

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  7. Amy I really hope you feel better soon. Interesting post. I just recently read a craftsy post about ruler work and thought haha they should be reading your blog! I was even able to enlighten my sewing machine dealer and sent her to your blog. Keep on keeping on..I do appreciate all that you do...Val

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    1. Thanks Val. I'm starting to feel better already. I let it get ridiculously bad before going to the doctor. Denial is not a good health practice. I've been in touch with Janome about ruler work and trying to get the dealers informed. I will indeed keep on keeping on!

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  8. Amy you have been the trend setter for ruler work on sit down machines. I bought a Janome ruler foot for my 6500 on your recommendations and it worked great. I bought a Bernina 820 and of course there was nothing available for ruler work for Berninas at the time. I have now bought a Sweet 16 and it is great for ruler work due to the large table space available. I have watched all your videos on FMQ and ruler work and they are truly great, informative and enabling. You are thorough, easy to understand and honest in your descriptions of rulers etc. I and many others thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the time you have taken (and will take LOL) in bringing us up to date information and how-to's on FMQ and ruler work. I hope you feel better soon. With many thanks, Dianne (from Adelaide, South Australia)

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    1. Thank you Dianne. It's a passion of mine and I love sharing it with you. I am happy to be your quilting enabler! lol.

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  9. When I picked up my Westalee foot and rulers @MQX in April I made sure I told the vendor it was your blog I found the information on regarding the foot and rulers.Keep up the great work.

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  10. When I picked up my Westalee foot and rulers @MQX in April I made sure I told the vendor it was your blog I found the information on regarding the foot and rulers.Keep up the great work.

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  11. I have been following your blog for about a year and love your technique of using rulers in quilting. Congratulations on being a pioneer in this field.

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  12. I commented on Feb 24, 2015 post of Leah Day on FB where she talked about drawing out gridlines and what a pain they are! I referenced your blog and Westalee foot. I will "toot your horn" day and night till the cows come home. You are one awesome woman Amy!

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  13. Amy - thank you so much for all you share about FMQ -- rulers or not. Your information is always clear, concise and complete. We appreciate it! Keep up the good work -- I too can't wait to see what you create with those QP Curve Templates <3 Sew much fun!! PS - thanks for the shout out!!

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    1. Thanks Karen! I try my best. I can’t wait to see what I make either! Her rulers are very nicely done, smooth and feel good in the hand. I better get to piecing something up!

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