What Is the Quilters Select 8.5" x 24" Non-Slip Ruler?
The Quilters Select 8.5" x 24" Non-Slip Ruler is a long quilting ruler made for measuring, marking, and rotary cutting fabric accurately. At 8.5 inches wide and 24 inches long, it is sized for the big, everyday jobs at the cutting table: cutting strips across the width of quilting cotton, trimming yardage, and squaring up larger pieces before you break them down into smaller units.
What sets it apart is its unique non-slip coating, which helps hold fabric in place while you cut, and its clear markings: 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", and 1" measurements, plus multiple angles. Quilters Select has made non-slip rulers since 2016, built for both right- and left-handed users.
Why Quilters and Sewists Use It
Most cutting errors do not come from the rotary cutter — they come from the ruler shifting a fraction of an inch mid-cut. A non-slip coating reduces that movement, so a strip meant to be 2 1/2 inches finishes at 2 1/2 inches, end to end. Consistent strips mean seams line up more easily and blocks finish closer to size.
The ambidextrous design helps, too. The one-inch perimeter lines feature dual numbers that read left to right and right to left, so you never count backward or lose your place when you flip the ruler. The exact perimeter measurement also helps when squaring blocks and avoids accidental cuts past the fabric's edge.
How to Use It: Step by Step
- Start with a straight edge. Fold your fabric, align the fold on your cutting mat, and use the long edge of the ruler to trim a clean, straight starting edge before measuring any strips.
- Line up the measurement. Place the ruler so the line for the width you want sits exactly on your straightened edge. Read the dual numbers in whichever direction faces you.
- Set your hand safely. Rest your non-cutting hand flat in the middle of the ruler, fingers spread and well away from the cutting edge, and press down firmly so the non-slip coating can grip.
- Cut away from your body. Run your rotary cutter along the ruler's edge in one smooth motion, keeping the blade vertical and snug against the ruler from start to finish.
- Use the angles for shaping. Use the ruler's marked angles when you need to mark or check angled cuts, such as bias edges or diamond and triangle work.
- Square blocks with the perimeter. To square a block, align the perimeter markings with the block's edges and trim one side, rotate, and repeat until all four sides are clean and true.
Practical Tips for Best Results
Cut on a flat, stable surface and keep your mat clean — lint under the fabric can throw off alignment. For wide strips, walk your hand along the ruler as you cut rather than letting pressure fade at the far end. Check your first strip before cutting the rest, and re-square your starting edge after several strips, since fabric creeps with repeated handling. Left-handed cutters can simply flip the ruler and read the numbers in the opposite direction.
Care and Storage
Wipe the ruler clean with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth if it picks up lint or spray residue, and keep it away from irons and other heat sources. Store it flat or hanging by a hook rather than leaning it where it can warp or be knocked to the floor. The non-slip coating is designed to last even if the edges show wear, but keeping the surface clean helps it grip the way it should.
Project Ideas and Everyday Uses
This is the ruler that lives on the cutting table: use it to cut binding and border strips, slice yardage into fat quarters, trim backing fabric, cut sashing and setting strips, and square up quilt tops before layering. It is equally handy for garment and home-decor sewing whenever a long, straight cut matters.
Shop the Quilters Select 8.5" x 24" Non-Slip Ruler at Linda's Electric Quilters.
