I am really frustrated right now. First, let me explain that it's been about 4-5 months since I have touched my sewing machine, much less any fabric in my awesome stash.
The reason for this gap in sewing / cutting is due to being chronically ill. I have days / weeks that I am not feeling well etc. although this isn't a pity-party post here, what I want to know is :

How many of you get home from the fabric store ( or have ordered fabric ) and the cutting lines are so uneven it looks like the person cutting the fabric had no clue on how to cut fabric, let alone use a cutting table? ( maybe I am being too harsh here ??)
I just spent 10-15 minutes trying to even up a 1/2' yard of fabric ( I needed 2 two inch strips to make a pillow case ). While looking at the fabric I have in my stash, I was appalled at the uneven cuts.....had this fabric been brand-new, there would be a trip BACK to the fabric store ! In the fabric I looked at, I only found ( and I didn't look at all of the fabric, just the Pink color fabrics I have ) 5 pcs that were cut evenly !!

One other thing, I haven't used a 24" x 6 " ruler much.....is there a secret to holding them straight ? Are there any tools that can be purchased to "hold" the ruler in place ( other than your hand ? ) ??? My ruler is sooo slippery when you place it on fabric ! Of course you are now thinking I am a nit-wit.....but honestly I have only used a ruler like this ( I cut all my sewing patterns / fabric with a pr. of scissors.) I might also mention that I have slight weakness in my left hand )

In closing, I will also admit I just wasted 2-3 cuts ( 1/2-3/4 of a yard ) to cut "even" 2 inch strips !

IS there any hope for me to make quilts ????? Please, if you can share some ideas on how to use these rulers, it would be a big help ! Perhaps there's someone out there that has a few ideas / tricks that would help me out.

Thanks so much.

BTW....would it help me to use a smaller ruler ( such as a 5" x 5" )to get "used" to using a ruler of this type ?