Quilting with Rulers: an Update

I taught another Quilting with Rulers class this week and it gave me an opportunity to get out my samples from my Craftsy classes. While my local students get to see samples and designs from both of my classes, the actual class they take only covers the basics of ruler work, which equates to about half of similar material from my first Craftsy class, Quilting with Rulers on a Home Machine. (Coupon Details: Get 50% off the full retail price of select Craftsy classes taught by Amy Johnson. Cannot be combined with any other coupons. Expires January 31, 2018.)

This student was really new to free motion quilting, but she loved using rulers.

So many designs from just a few basic rulers.
If you look at the designs I created over the past few years, both in my classes and in my other projects, and you'll see that I keep the rulers simple. So many designs from just a handful of rulers. There are a lot of rulers being released into the marketplace these days and if one speaks to you, or many, that's great, but you don't have to load up with a ton of rulers.


I really love the new ruler foot from Janome for the MC15000. A similar version will eventually be available for other Janomes with the automatic presser foot lift. Other Janomes will still use the convertible free motion foot set and the ruler foot combination. Janome has really set the bar when it comes to quilting with rulers on sewing machines.


As I mentioned in a previous post, I had mentioned the need for this foot at a Janome training about 18 months ago to the president of Janome America and while I don't think my comment was the origin of the development of the foot, they saw the interest growing in ruler work and made it happen.

They went beyond just a new ruler foot, but an actual ruler work mode! It makes it really easy to set up for ruler work and adjust the foot in the menu for the perfect height for your project. This feature will be added to the machines that will be getting this foot upgrade.

Janome also got a set of rulers made up to go with this new foot and I have a set of them. I haven't had time lately to play with them, but I will soon. They are made by Westalee/Sew Steady and lean a bit toward specialized shapes on the smaller side. I hope to give a review as soon as possible.

I have several tops ready for quilting, so I'm hoping to show you something more interesting soon. Being a shop owner sure fills your days with a lot of admin stuff. Not fun. But I'm loving the chance to be a cheerful shop where folks can be encouraged and educated in their creative sewing adventures.

I hope you are having your own quilting adventures as well!


15 comments:

  1. Don't sell yourself short in the weight you have in he quilting world, particularly where ruler work comes in. I would imagine corporate Janome knows very well who you are and how well you are recognized as a Blogger, Vlogger, and Craftsy instructor.

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    1. Barbara, you have been such a great cheerleader for me! Thanks!

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  2. Ditto, Barbara! You are truly the pioneer, researcher, teacher and doer! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even know about ruler work. Love your classes but need more rulers - maybe Santa will bring some for Christmas. Thanks for all you do, Amy!

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    1. Thank you Judy! As far as more rulers....I've got some elves around here that can give Santa some help. ;-)

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  3. Wow. That is so cool that Janome is listening to our wants/needs. Thanks for all your help getting Janome and all us quilters in the Ruler Work groove.

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  4. I'm playing more with rulers - my machine is an old Janome quilt machine, so uses a low shank. Love the Westalee curves. But need more practice and a bit more confidence. Glad to see you doing well Amy and Janome is listening to you. xx

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  5. Amy, my opinion is that you have been a pioneer of ruler work on a domestic machine. I found out about it from your blog quite a number of years ago now.. 5 maybe? When friends asked what I was talking about (ruler work) I always headed them in the direction of your blog and videos. I'm not great at ruler work as I tend to just move on to the next top rather than stop for the quilting, but I've learned much from you. Thank you!!

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  6. I have a Janome 6600, and the convertable foot but haven't done much (ok, any) ruler work. What rulers so I absolutely need to get started?

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  7. Well, this is fascinating, a ruler foot setting ON the machine. Very cool indeed

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  8. Any tips on Sewing over thick seam allowances when using a ruler? It is hard for me to smoothly sew up to and/or over the point where several seam allowances meet. Thanks much!

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    1. Ah.... you've hit on one frustration of using rulers on a domestic sewing machine. Most ruler feet for domestic machines don't hop so they don't clear bulky seams well. Since the Janome ruler foot is easily adjusted, I can easily adjust the height of my foot. The Bernina foot is similar, plus I think it can be set to hop a bit. For the others, keep a screwdriver handy.

      Of course, prevention is the best. Some seams can be pressed open, others nested and even 'spun' to reduce bulk. The ruler can be used to press down on the bulk, but that can make it harder to move the project.

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  9. Amy, I am so thrilled to have found your blog. You share such a wealth of information. For the past 20+ years I have owned janome machines. In the last year I upgraded to the S7 and also the artistic SD16. I was disappointed to learn the S7 wouldn’t do ruler work because of the auto lift. I was so happy when you posted that janome will be coming out with a fix (thank you for bringing the issue to Janome). I also want a thicker ruler foot for the Artistic and wondering if you have one available yet,
    Please keep doing what you do, it is very much appreciated

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  10. You mention a 50% off coupon for your Crafsy classes but I do not see a 'word' to use when redeeming a coupon?

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    1. The "code" is part of the link you click and is applied to your cart automatically.

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    2. Thanks Amy! I am now signed up and ready to learn.

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