Quiltmaking is full of rulers, some that are very specific and some more for general use. The same goes for rulers used for making making curves. We’ll start with the Clammy rulers, that are the most flexible in what they can create.
Clammy Rulers
I’m a big Latifah Saafir fan and love her Clammy rulers for all things curvy. They have options for circles, half circles, quarter circles, orange peels, and more, with clear instructions on how to cut them accurately. She has a series of patterns that use all sizes of the Clammy, so the patterns can be used for any size. Just remember, the bigger the curve, the easier it is to sew!
Quick Curve Ruler
This easier-curve ruler from Sew Kind of Wonderful has been around for more than a decade and has made it easier for a lot of folks to feel like they can tackle curves. It’s a fairly simple ruler with tons of possibilities. There are two sizes: Quick Curve Ruler and Quick Curve Ruler Mini, so make sure when you’re checking out patterns, you get the right one for the ruler you have.
Classic Curves Ruler
This slot ruler has a range of common-use sizes for curves, making it useful for all sorts of projects. You can make quarter-circles from 4″ to 8 1/2″ with the same ruler. The cut lines can be a little confusing, so use washi tape or little stickers (like these) to mark the slot you should be cutting in.
Accuquilt Dies
If you’re looking for an easy way to cut curved pieces the Accuquilt dies are the way to go. You can find them for the Drunkard’s Path, Winding Ways, Orange Peel, Rob Peter to Pay Paul, Clamshell, Flowering Snowball, and more. Each die has to be bought separately and will only do the one size it is made for. But if you have a LOT of pieces to cut out, this is the way to go.
Curvelet Templates
If you’re like me and want to try making everything small, these were made for you! Jen Carlton-Bailly designed the Curvelet templates for making itty-bitty (just 1 1/2-inch!) drunkard’s path blocks. Then she made the Squrvelet and the Ovalet, variations on the theme. She has patterns and tutorials for using curved blocks (not always the tiny ones), so check out her site at BettyCrockerAss.com
Be sure to watch the full episode of MAKE with Teresa Coates: Get Ahead of the Curve for more information, demos and examples.
Happy sewing!
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