Need some advice...

from my long arm friends. I'm trying to do some ruler work on a quilt...so far I've broken 1 needle and a brand new acrylic ruler. What is the trick...practice, yes, I know this...anything else?????

Have you watched the Craftsy class, Learn How to Longarm Quilt in: A New Look at Longarm Quilting with Mandy Leins??

I think it is in lesson 5 where she explains and demos how to use the ruler . . . Have to say I've never tried it though.

Someone just had a post about fine line (?) rulers yesterday and how much she loved the. She mentioned using a really thick FMQ foot - maybe that's the trick. The thick foot kept you from going over the edge of the ruler, etc.

I'm wondering if there is an L shaped acrylic ruler. Gonna do some searching.

Here is the link to the thread I was talking about http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/sho...ne-rulers.html

Karen...those rulers are only 1/4" thick...the one I was using today is 1/4" and I broke a chunk out of it. I'm thinking something that has a right angle so that the hopping foot cannot slide up on top of the ruler.

I have been looking at rulers for my long arm and the videos and stuff I have been watching/reading say to use the thicker acrylic rulers that are available - I think they are 1/4 in thick and to use a special foot.

One place that I have seen mentioned a lot is http://www.quiltersapothecary.com/ru...ers/index.html This is Jamie Whalen's site - he also has a youtube channel. He is one talented quilter!

I have not ordered anything yet - I just keep reading and watching videos. I should really get one and try it out - I have a square in a square that I want to do some ditch work or echoing on and I know that I can not do straight lines with the LA.....

Pat,

What kind of a machine do you have?

What does the foot look like?

Longarm machines must have a foot that are about 1/8" or more thick.

All long arm rulers are 1/4" thick. Yes "L" shaped rulers are available. The foot needs to be thick so it doesn't slip under the ruler.

There are many longarm DVDs for beginners that deal with these issues.

Hi, Denis! We sure enjoy it when you pop in! Hope the shop is doing well. I have a FQ from your shop that I'm anxious to use in a special project.

Hi Sandy, yes Monique told me she was sending you a gift- kind of cool, huh?

The shop is not doing well as I've been laid up for 3 months with what started out as gout then affected my arthritis in both feet. Too many days off and not being able to machine quilt has taken it's toll. Finally doing much better. I managed to quilt on Sunday and last evening, and also mowed the lawn on Sunday evening (well part of it, the backyard can wait)

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If you look at the area marked 3/4", directly across from that where the hopping foot is almost touching the ruler. Try to avoid using that area when doing ruler work. Every time I have had a problem with a ruler it's because I was not paying enough attention and got my ruler around behind in that area. It's much easier for the hopping foot to "hop" up onto your ruler.

Also is your take up rod set low enough so that your ruler is laying flat on the ruler base? If you get too close to the back of your quilting area it's possible that you are pushing the ruler down just enough that the hopping foot can hop right onto that ruler.

Hope this helps.