The serendipity studio was plunged into sadness when I stepped on my 5x24in Olipfa lip-edged ruler and snapped off the end. This ruler was the very first gadget (along with a rotary cutter and cutting map) I bought when I started quilting in 2000 and I hadn’t quite appreciated how much I relied upon it.
In my ruler collection, I also have an award-winning Westalee 24x6in adjustable ruler with locking fabric guide. I haven’t had an opportunity to give the Westalee ruler a proper workout yet but am sure it will come into its own when I need to accurately cut large batches of selvedge-to-selvedge strips for my Power Stripping quilts.
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However, for everyday use, I doubt that the Westalee ruler will ever replace the versatile Olipfa ruler. The Westalee ruler is quite heavy and has to be handled carefully from the middle as the slots at either end contribute to some structural weakness. By contrast, the Olipfa ruler is light and easy to handle – the lip edge provides a handy place to pick up the ruler off a flat surface. This rolled end also acts like a T-square against end of cutting mat for quick and easy, slip-free cutting. It’s perfect for making the essential first straight cut and making repeated strip cuts. It also works well as a ruler when you want to mark out a straight line and or/square up a quilt. Judy from Punch with Judy is helping me to track down a replacement for my broken Olipfa ruler. Maybe I should get two.
Teri says
Hi Brenda,
I have friends that swear by the Olipfa ruler. I only use Omnigrids, but that is only because they are easy to come by, and I like having all of the same brand. But I looked at the Westalee Rulers, and I wish they sold them here, they would be nice for certain things like cutting strips.
Kristin L says
Both my 24×6 rotary rulers are in disrepair — I shall keep my eyes open for an Olipfa replacement, although I’ve been very happy with my yellow Omnigrid one (that is so used it now has several chips on teh edges).
Leonie West says
Hello Brenda
I use the 24″ for cutting borders and long strips of bias. For everyday use, I use my 18″ Adjustable Ruler it is good size and I like cut with the fabric folded twice.
Teri
Our Rulers are available from quiltersrule.com in America
Judith Thomson says
Hi Brenda,
Happy to tell you that you can get an Olipfa ruler from http://www.ozquilts.com.au which is a great site run by a very efficient lady named Maree whom I have used a lot.
Cheers
Judith
Brenda says
Thanks for the tip Judith. I actually looked at that particular website soon after I broke my ruler but it appears that they only stock the 18x3in version.
Leonie- congratulations on the success of your product. It’s great to see innovations for quiltmakers.
I prefer 24in rulers for cutting selvedge-to-selvedge strips as the fabric only has to be folded in half and this approach is more, shall we say, “forgiving”. For an 18in ruler, the fabric has to be folded in half and then in half again. If the folds are not perfect, then the resulting strips will turn out slightly zig-zaggy which is usually not the desired effect.
Judy says
Hi! Brenda,
Don’t know the Olipfa ruler but have just begun using a Westalee 24″ x 6″ and have found it super cant imagine using any other. But it is a bug when you break one of your treasured tools you get so used to how they function.
helen says
My first ruler was one made in New Zealand called Quiltline, 3″ wide by 23 3/4″ long (why the 3/4 and not a full inch? Cos it had 60 centimetres on the other side). It had markings at 1″, 1 1/4″, 1 1/2″, 2″, 2 1/4″ and 2 1/2″ along the length. It had no markings cross-wise. I never thought this was a problem until I got a ruler that had them and I realised how much easier it is to be ‘square’. I now use my 6″ by 24″ and 4″ by 14 Omnigrip rulers almost exclusively. I love to use to the smaller one for cross cutting after using the large one for cutting strips. Some people swear by the 6″ by 12″ but I find the 4″ by 14″ easier to pick up by the edges in one hand and the 2″ extra length is very useful. Each to his/her own!
joyce says
I am constantly searching for the perfect ruler. I like 6×24 but I want one that never slips. I read about one that has sticky numbers on the back but of course I forget the brand. My present ruler has green lines that are a bit too thick and it’s hard to see where the fabric is. If you find the perfect ruler let us know!
Diane says
My condolences! I hate when that happens — I stepped on and broke my favorite square ruler, and had the same feelings you did … the replacement just didn’t feel the same. One would *think* that would teach me to keep the rulers off of the floor … Hope you find the right replacement soon!
Judy says
Brenda,
Pardon me for being cheeky! I found a 24 x 6.5 Olipfa ruller on Oz quilts under Specialty Patchwork rulers – as i said very cheeky but thought you may have missed it.
Brenda says
Thanks Judy but I am going to hang out for the 24x5in version as I know this works for me (and fits into the side pocket on my workshop carrybag!).
Helen Conway says
Comiserations. I broke a good chunk of corner off my first ruler when I put it in a basket sticking out, placed the basket in the car boot and slammed it shut on the ruler. YOu can mail order the size ruler you want here: http://www.olipfa.com/quilting/