Voted by quilters
The 5 Best Quilting Rulers and Templates, Voted by Our Customers
5 rulers · 8 min read
Nobody sets out to own thirty rulers. It happens one pattern at a time — a project calls for a shape you don't have, you buy the template, and it earns a permanent place on the shelf. Then you use it for something the pattern never mentioned.
So instead of telling you which rulers we like, we read what you told us about the ones you own. Five rise to the top again and again, and the reviews explain why in a way a product page never can.
The short version
- Missouri Star 2.5″ x 8″ Ruler — the small one quilters buy two and three of, because it lives next to the machine.
- Missouri Star 2.5″ x 15″ Ruler — the strip-cutting workhorse, and the one reviewers say they reach for more than any other tool.
- Large Half Hexagon Template — the easiest template to start with, and it wastes almost no fabric.
- Large Dresden Plate Template — one template, many sizes of Dresden, marked clearly enough to use without the pattern.
- 8″ Equilateral 60° Triangle Ruler — the One Block Wonder ruler, and it shows up against any fabric.
- Ranked by what verified buyers wrote, not by what we wanted to sell.
Key Takeaways
- Buy the small ruler first. The 2.5″ x 8″ gets used at the machine, on the frame and at the cutting table — which is why so many quilters own more than one.
- Non-slip matters more than markings. Reviewers mention fabric staying put more often than they mention the printed lines.
- A template pays for itself on one quilt. Half hexagons and Dresdens cut from precuts with almost no waste, and no math.
- Look for clear marking on every size. Multi-size templates only save you money if you can read them at the size you're cutting.
- Rulers are the gift that lands. Quilters keep buying duplicates on purpose, so a spare is rarely wasted.
The 5 Rulers and Templates, Voted By Our Customers
Missouri Star 2.5" x 8" Ruler
2.5″ x 8″ non-slip rectangle ruler
★★★★½
$11.95
The ruler quilters own in multiples. Small enough to keep beside the machine, accurate enough to square up a block without dragging out anything bigger — and the reviews are full of people buying a second and third on purpose.
Shop the 2.5″ x 8″Featured customer reviews
“Essential tool for quilting projects”
I love this ruler. It is so helpful in making 2 1/2 inch strips and squares. I have used it for quilts, totes, and other projects using 2 1/2 inch strips and squares. It's my go-to for both of these.
— Barbara
“Perfect size for cutting and measuring”
This is my 3rd 2.5" x 8" ruler I've purchased from MSQC! I use them all the time. I keep one for my cutting table, one for my main sewing machine, and one for my Cutie frame. It is compact but works great to measure sections of my blocks to make sure they're correct. I like the smaller ruler especially for cutting HST and it is the perfect length to line up my quilts on the Cutie frame.
— Gail
“Great tool for precise corners”
I really like having a tool that helps my corners are nice and tight. I made a couple of pillows for my daughter-in-law. With the strength of the ruler it pretty much does the work.
— Sue
Missouri Star 2.5" X 15" Ruler
2.5″ x 15″ non-slip ruler for strips
★★★★½
$14.95
If you sew with jelly rolls or cut your own strips, this is the ruler that stays on the cutting table. Reviewers describe it as the tool they touch most in a session — strips, squaring up, trimming selvage, all with one ruler.
Shop the 2.5″ x 15″Featured customer reviews
“Perfect ruler for every project”
I use this ruler more than any other tool I own. I have more than one, so I can always find it when I need it. It's perfect for cutting 2.5-inch strips, squaring up an edge, and cutting off salvage. It's easy to use, not too big, not too small, PERFECT.
— Crystal
“Convenient for jelly rolls and layer cakes”
It is so convenient when using a jelly roll. I lay it on top of the jelly strip, and I like that it works great for longer lengths. It works great when cutting a layer cake into 4 strips also.
— Sheila
“Perfect for rotary cutting”
The Missouri Star 2.5" X 15" Ruler doesn’t slip on the fabric, making it easy to use when cutting with a rotary cutter.
— Mary
Missouri Star Large Half Hexagon Template for 10" Squares
Half hexagon template for 10″ squares
★★★★½
$13.95
The template to buy if you have never used one. It cuts straight from layer cakes, the shape hides small seam wobbles, and reviewers keep pointing out how little fabric ends up in the scrap bin.
Shop the half hexagonFeatured customer reviews
“Great for accurate cuts and scrap use”
It is easy to get accurate cuts. I used scrap material for a more scrappy effect. It is also a good way to utilize smaller pieces.
— Pat
“Very handy tool”
Very easy to use with 5" x 10" strips of fabric and if your fabric isn't directional, you can cut out pieces without waisting any fabric.
— Beth Miller
“Excellent source for all quilting supplies.”
MSQC templates are just excellent, and always reasonably priced. I have bought so many, and use them daily. Thanks for these products.
— Carol Turner
Missouri Star Large Dresden Plate Template for 10" Squares
Large Dresden Plate template for 10″ squares
★★★★½
$13.95
A Dresden plate looks like advanced quilting and isn't — it is wedges sewn in a circle. This template is marked for several sizes, so one purchase covers a table runner, a lap quilt and a full-size showstopper.
Shop the Dresden templateFeatured customer reviews
“Dresden Template”
Very useful multi-sized template. The 1st dresden I made was so attractive that I made 8 more. Ideal for a lap robe or baby quilt.
— Heather Madonna
“Fun and easy to use template”
The Missouri Star Large Dresden Plate Template is clearly marked no matter the size of dresden you are making. I made a throw sized quilt with 5 inch squares. I will definitely use it again. It was fun!
— Cheri
This template can be used for smaller than the 10 inch squares also. This makes it more versatile!
— Kathy
Missouri Star 8" Equilateral 60 Degree Triangle Ruler
8″ equilateral 60° triangle ruler
★★★★½
$17.95
The ruler behind One Block Wonder quilts, and the one reviewers praise for being readable on busy prints — the practical difference between cutting sixty triangles happily and cutting sixty triangles squinting.
Shop the triangle rulerFeatured customer reviews
“Awesome Ruler”
This ruler is wonderful for the One Block Wonder. It worked perfectly and shows up no matter what. Absolutely just what I needed.
— Aleta Treece
“Love, love love”
The reason I love these rulers is they are so easy to view up against any color or pattern on a fabric
— Evelyn Hartmann
“Versatile and well designed ruler”
It is well designed and very versatile! I will be using it for several projects with hexagons as well.
— Donna
How These Five Compare
| Ruler or template | Size | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Star 2.5" x 8" Ruler | 2.5″ x 8″ | Squaring blocks, HSTs, sewing next to the machine | $11.95 |
| Missouri Star 2.5" X 15" Ruler | 2.5″ x 15″ | Cutting strips from yardage and precuts | $14.95 |
| Missouri Star Large Half Hexagon Template for 10" Squares | For 10″ squares | Half hexagon quilts from layer cakes | $13.95 |
| Missouri Star Large Dresden Plate Template for 10" Squares | For 10″ squares | Dresden plates in several sizes | $13.95 |
| Missouri Star 8" Equilateral 60 Degree Triangle Ruler | 8″ equilateral | One Block Wonder, triangles and hexagons | $17.95 |
A tip from the notions wall: Two habits keep rulers accurate for years: store them flat or hanging rather than stacked under heavy books, and never cut against an edge that has been nicked by a rotary blade. If your ruler slips, a few sandpaper dots on the underside will fix it for pennies — the tip our reviewers pass along most often.
If you are buying your first template rather than your fifth, start with the Large Half Hexagon. It cuts straight from 10″ squares, the shape forgives a wobbly seam, and one layer cake makes a real quilt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which quilting ruler should I buy first?
A 2.5″ x 8″ or 2.5″ x 15″ rectangle, depending on whether you cut mostly blocks or mostly strips. Between them they handle squaring up, trimming and strip cutting, which is the bulk of what quilting asks of a ruler.
What is the difference between a ruler and a template?
A ruler measures and squares — straight edges and a grid. A template is cut to a specific shape, like a half hexagon or a Dresden blade, so you can cut that shape repeatedly without marking. Most quilters need two or three rulers and then buy templates per project.
Do templates work with precuts?
That is exactly what these are designed for. The Large Half Hexagon and Large Dresden Plate templates are both sized for 10″ squares, so a layer cake becomes a quilt with very little waste. Several of the reviews above describe doing precisely that.
How do I stop my ruler from slipping?
Press down with your fingertips spread rather than your palm, keep your hand over the middle of the ruler rather than the edge, and add non-slip dots or a grip strip to the underside. Our reviewers mention grip more than any other ruler feature.
Are these rulers marked for both left and right-handed cutting?
The Missouri Star rectangles are marked in both directions, so you can read the measurement from either end. For shaped templates the marking is symmetrical, and you can cut from whichever side you approach the fabric.
How were these picked?
By our customers. We looked at every ruler and template in the shop that has a long enough review history to mean something, ranked them by how customers rated them, removed anything out of stock, and pulled the quotes from verified buyers' own reviews. We trimmed the quotes for length only.