Rulers are essential tools for sewing, especially for pattern drafting, measuring, and marking. However, not all rulers are the same. There are different types of rulers for sewing, each with its own purpose and function. In this post, you will learn about the most common and useful rulers for sewing, how to use them, and where to get them.
Types of Rulers for Sewing
There are many types of rulers for sewing, but here are some of the most popular and widely used ones:
- Tape measure: This is a flexible and retractable ruler that can measure curved and straight lines. It is ideal for measuring the body, fabric, and pattern pieces. It usually has both metric and imperial units, and it can be 60 inches or 120 inches long. Read more on measuring tape here.
- Straight ruler: This is a rigid and non-flexible ruler that can measure straight lines and angles. It is ideal for drawing, cutting, and marking fabric and pattern pieces. It can be made of wood, metal, or plastic, and it can be 12 inches, 18 inches, or 36 inches long.
- L-shaped ruler: This is a special type of straight ruler that has two arms forming a right angle. It is also known as a tailor’s square or an L-scale. It is ideal for checking and marking grainlines, corners, and right angles. It can be 14 inches x 24 inches or 18 inches x 24 inches in size. You can read more about L-shaped rulers here.
- French curve ruler: This is a curved ruler that can measure and draw smooth curves. It is ideal for shaping armholes, necklines, and other curved edges. It can be made of plastic or metal, and it can be 12 inches or 24 inches long. You can read more about French curve rulers here.
- Quilting ruler: This is a transparent ruler that has a grid of metric or imperial measurements. It is ideal for pattern drafting, quilting, and patchwork. It can help you draw parallel lines, add or remove seam allowances, and accurately get right angles. Quilting rulers come in various shapes and sizes, such as squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
- Other curved rulers: These are rulers that have different shapes and curves, such as vary form, hip curve, and armhole curve. They are ideal for creating and adjusting various curves and contours on patterns and garments. They can be made of plastic or metal, and they can vary in length and shape. You can read more about other curved rulers here.
How to Use Rulers in Sewing
Measuring tape
A tape measure can measure curved and straight lines. It is ideal for measuring the body, fabric, and pattern pieces.
Here are some steps on how to use a tape measure in sewing:
- Choose a tape measure that has both metric and imperial units, and that is long enough for your project.
- Wrap the tape measure around the body part or the fabric that you want to measure, such as the bust, waist, hips, or length. Make sure the tape measure is snug but not too tight, and that it is parallel to the floor or the edge of the fabric.
- Read the measurement from the tape measure and record it. You can use a pencil, a chalk, or a fabric marker to mark the measurement on the fabric or the pattern piece. You can also use pins, weights, or tape to secure the tape measure in place and prevent it from slipping or moving.
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- Repeat the process for any other measurements that you need for your project. You can use the same tape measure or a different one, depending on the type and size of the measurement. You can also use other types of rulers, such as straight rulers, L-shaped rulers, or French curve rulers, to measure and draw straight lines and angles.
Straight ruler
A straight ruler is a rigid and non-flexible ruler that can measure straight lines and angles. It is ideal for drawing, cutting, and marking fabric and pattern pieces.
Here are some steps on how to use a straight ruler in sewing:
- Choose a straight ruler that has both metric and imperial units, and that is long enough for your project.
- Align the straight ruler with the edge of the fabric or the pattern piece. Use pins, weights, or tape to secure the ruler in place and prevent it from slipping or moving.
- Mark the fabric or the pattern piece with a pencil, chalk, or a fabric marker. Follow the markings on the ruler and make sure they are visible and precise.
- Cut the fabric or the pattern piece with scissors, a rotary cutter, or a knife. Follow the markings and the edge of the ruler and make sure they are smooth and even.
You can use a straight ruler for various purposes in sewing, such as:
- Measuring and marking seam allowances, hems, buttonholes, pleats, darts, and other details.
- Drawing and cutting straight lines, rectangles, squares, and other geometric shapes.
- Checking and marking grainlines, bias lines, and right angles.
- Creating and adjusting patterns and templates.
L-shape ruler
An L-shaped ruler is a special type of straight ruler that has two arms forming a right angle. It is also known as a tailor’s square or an L-scale. It is ideal for checking and marking grainlines, corners, and right angles.
Here are some steps on how to use an L-shaped ruler in sewing:
- Choose an L-shaped ruler that has both metric and imperial units, and that is suitable for your project.
- Align the L-shaped ruler with the edge of the fabric or the pattern piece. Use pins, weights, or tape to secure the ruler in place and prevent it from slipping or moving.
- Mark the fabric or the pattern piece with a pencil, chalk, or a fabric marker. Follow the markings on the ruler and make sure they are visible and precise.
- Cut the fabric or the pattern piece with scissors, a rotary cutter, or a knife. Follow the markings and the edge of the ruler and make sure they are smooth and even.
You can use an L-shaped ruler for various purposes in sewing, such as:
- Measuring and marking seam allowances, hems, buttonholes, pleats, darts, and other details.
- Drawing and cutting straight lines, rectangles, squares, and other geometric shapes.
- Checking and marking grainlines, bias lines, and right angles.
- Creating and adjusting patterns and templates.
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French curve rulers
A French curve ruler is a curved ruler that can measure and draw smooth curves. It is ideal for shaping armholes, necklines, and other curved edges on patterns and garments.
Here are some steps on how to use a French curve ruler in sewing:
- Choose a French curve ruler that has both metric and imperial units, and that is suitable for your project. .
- Align the French curve ruler with the edge of the fabric or the pattern piece. Use pins, weights, or tape to secure the ruler in place and prevent it from slipping or moving.
- Mark the fabric or the pattern piece with a pencil, chalk, or a fabric marker. Follow the markings on the ruler and make sure they are visible and precise.
- Cut the fabric or the pattern piece with scissors, a rotary cutter, or a knife. Follow the markings and the edge of the ruler and make sure they are smooth and even.
You can use a French curve ruler for various purposes in sewing, such as:
- Shaping armholes, necklines, and other curved edges on patterns and garments.
- Creating and adjusting various curves and contours on patterns and garments.
- Adding or removing seam allowances, darts, and pleats on patterns and garments.
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Read more detailed post only on french curved rulers and grab 6 of them from me for free from this link.
Quilting ruler
A quilting ruler is a transparent ruler that has a grid of metric or imperial measurements. It is ideal for pattern drafting, quilting, and patchwork. It can help you draw parallel lines, add or remove seam allowances, and accurately get right angles. Quilting rulers come in various shapes and sizes, such as squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
Here are some steps on how to use a quilting ruler in sewing:
- Choose a quilting ruler that has both metric and imperial units, and that is suitable for your project.
- Place the quilting ruler on top of the fabric or the pattern piece. Use pins, weights, or tape to secure the ruler in place and prevent it from slipping or moving.
- Mark the fabric or the pattern piece with a pencil, chalk, or a fabric marker. Follow the markings and the grid on the ruler and make sure they are visible and precise.
- Cut the fabric or the pattern piece with scissors, a rotary cutter, or a knife. Follow the markings and the edge of the ruler and make sure they are smooth and even.
You can use a quilting ruler for various purposes in sewing, such as:
- Measuring and marking seam allowances, hems, buttonholes, pleats, darts, and other details.
- Drawing and cutting straight lines, rectangles, squares, triangles, circles, and other geometric shapes.
- Checking and marking grainlines, bias lines, and right angles.
- Creating and adjusting patterns and templates.
General Rules on How to Use Different Rulers in Sewing
Here are some general tips on how to use rulers in sewing:
- Choose the right ruler for the right task. For example, use a tape measure for measuring the body, a straight ruler for drawing straight lines, and a French curve for shaping curves.
- Make sure the ruler is accurate and clear. Check if the ruler has both metric and imperial units, if the markings are readable and not faded, and if the edges are smooth and not jagged.
- Align the ruler with the edge of the fabric or the pattern piece. Use pins, weights, or tape to secure the ruler in place and prevent it from slipping or moving.
- Mark the fabric or the pattern piece with a pencil, chalk, or a fabric marker. Follow the markings on the ruler and make sure they are visible and precise.
- Cut the fabric or the pattern piece with scissors, a rotary cutter, or a knife. Follow the markings and the edge of the ruler and make sure they are smooth and even.
Rulers are essential tools for sewing, especially for pattern drafting, measuring, and marking. However, not all rulers are the same. There are different types of rulers for sewing, each with its own purpose and function. In this post, you learned about the most common and useful rulers for sewing, how to use them, and where to get them
I hope this post has helped you understand and appreciate the role of rulers in sewing. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy sewing!
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