What a 22-1/2 Degree Pie Ruler Does
The Lori Holt Pie Ruler 22-1/2 Degree is a small, specialized quilting ruler designed for one very satisfying job: cutting even wedge-shaped slices that join together into a complete circle — a full "pie." The ruler measures 3.75in x 8in, is 8in long, and is made of clear plastic, so you can see the fabric underneath as you line up each cut. Because the angle is 22-1/2 degrees, it takes exactly 16 slices to make one pie: 16 times 22-1/2 degrees equals 360 degrees, a full circle with no gap and no overlap to trim away at the end.
That built-in math is the whole appeal. Instead of drafting a wedge template on paper or cutting freehand and hoping the last slice fits, the ruler gives you the same precise wedge every time — turning a fiddly technique into a repeatable one for Dresden-style blocks, circular motifs, fans, and plate-inspired designs.
What It Is Best For
This ruler is best for projects built from repeated wedges. Classic uses include Dresden plate blocks, where pointed or rounded wedges radiate from a center circle, sun and citrus-slice motifs, and any design where fabric "slices" fan out around a center point. It also suits table toppers, round mats, and quilt blocks where a full circle becomes the focal point.
Because the ruler is compact, it works comfortably on a standard cutting mat and handles easily alongside a rotary cutter. The clear plastic helps with fussy cutting, too: you can position the ruler so a favorite motif lands centered on a slice rather than being cut off at an edge.
How to Cut and Piece Your Slices
Start by pressing your fabric well and cutting strips wide enough to cover the length of the ruler. Lay the ruler on the fabric, check that the print sits where you want it, and cut along both long edges. Flip or rotate the ruler for the next cut to make efficient use of your fabric, and keep cutting until you have your 16 slices for a full pie.
Accuracy matters more than speed here. Keep the ruler firmly in place as you cut — a shifting ruler changes the angle, and small angle errors multiply across 16 pieces. Cut a full set from one fabric for a uniform plate, or mix prints for a scrappy look.
To piece, place two slices right sides together and sew along one long edge with a consistent seam allowance. Press, add the next slice, and continue around. Working in halves helps: sew two groups of eight, check that each half lies flat, then join them. If a half cups or ripples, check your seam allowance — even piecing depends on even seams as much as even cuts.
Once complete, the circle can be appliquéd onto a background square for a Dresden-style block. A fabric circle over the raw center edges finishes the middle neatly.
Color Pairing and Project Ideas
For a classic look, alternate two fabrics slice by slice — a print and a solid, or a light and a dark — so the radiating pattern reads clearly. For a scrappy plate, pull 16 different prints from one color family and let value contrast do the organizing. A high-contrast center circle and background square will make the pie stand out; a low-contrast background lets the slices blend softly.
Project ideas: a single pie on a throw pillow front, four pie blocks in a table runner, a citrus-inspired wall hanging in yellows, oranges, and greens, or a baby quilt where each block uses a different print combination.
Care and Storage
The ruler is plastic, so store it flat with your other quilting rulers, away from heat that could warp it, and keep it clean so the clear surface stays easy to read through. With one ruler included, it is a simple, single-purpose tool — but for wedge and circle work, it replaces a lot of drafting and second-guessing.
Shop the Lori Holt Pie Ruler 22-1/2 Degree at Linda's Electric Quilters.
