Quilting Templates, Tools & Rulers

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Quilting rulers and acrylic quilt templates make every cut faster and more accurate, from basic strips and squares to orange peels, Dresden plates and hexagons. Not sure where to start? Read our guide to quilting rulers. read more

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Quilting Templates, Tools & Rulers

Quilting Rulers vs. Quilt Templates

Quilting rulers and templates are often talked about in the same breath, but they do slightly different jobs. Both help you cut fabric pieces to precise measurements and shapes so your blocks, borders and other quilt elements come out accurate and uniform.

Quilting rulers come in many shapes and sizes and are marked in inches, so it’s easy to follow your pattern as you cut. Many also have angle lines for cutting squares, rectangles, triangles and the other geometric shapes quilt blocks need. Square-up rulers like Bloc Loc and trim tools from Creative Grids help you trim blocks to size after sewing.

Quilt templates are guides for cutting fabric into specific shapes for quilt blocks and appliqué: squares, triangles, circles, diamonds, and more complex shapes like hexagons, stars and orange peels. You can buy pre-made acrylic templates or make your own from template plastic.

Missouri Star Quilt Templates

A few years back, we started making our own rulers and templates in-house, and it’s been a game-changer. We designed them to work especially with our patterns, which mostly use precut fabrics, so many are sized for 5" charm packs or 10" layer cakes. Browse the full line in Missouri Star rulers and templates, and find patterns to use them with in our precut quilt patterns.

Our templates are made from sturdy, neon green acrylic. The color works better than clear plastic because it’s easier to see where you’re cutting: the vivid tone gives off a distinctive glow around the edges. The markings are etched instead of printed, so they won’t rub off, and only the essential markings are there, so you can see more of your fabric.

How to Use a Quilt Template

Start by removing the paper backing. It peels off easily with a fingernail, or use a pin to lift one corner. Then let the template do the work. Try not to “fight” with it: a rotating cutting mat lets you turn the fabric and template together and move your rotary cutter around the edge. No rotating mat? Move your body around the cutting table and keep the template firmly in place (especially important with circle templates), or trace around the template with a fabric marking pencil and cut on the line.

For most templates, you align your fabric with the template, not with the cutting mat. Your mat will last longer and your cuts will be more accurate.

Machine Quilting Rulers and Stencils

Machine quilting rulers, like the Creative Grids machine quilting tools, are about 1/4" thick and are used with a ruler foot on your sewing machine to stitch straight lines, curves and echoes. Never use a thin rotary-cutting ruler under the needle; it can slip under the foot and damage your machine or your quilt. Our neon green templates also work for marking straight-line quilting. For free-motion designs like stipples and meanders, take a look at our quilt stencils and pantographs.

Caring for Acrylic Rulers and Templates

Always cut safely. If you tend to press hard, a ruler can slide out from under your hand. A ruler handle keeps your fingers away from the rotary blade, and non-slip grips help hold the ruler still. To make your rulers and templates last, store them flat or hanging and out of the sun. Acrylic can warp if it gets too hot, so don’t iron over your rulers or leave them in a hot car. The same goes for cutting mats.

Quilting Ruler & Template FAQs

How do I keep my quilting ruler from slipping?+

Slipping is the most common complaint we hear about rulers and templates. Non-slip rulers like Quilters Select have a grip built in, and add-on grips or small sandpaper dots on the back help hold any ruler in place. Reviewers also love the Gypsy Gripper and ruler handles for keeping a long ruler steady. Press down with your fingertips spread wide and keep them away from the edge you’re cutting.

My template didn’t come with instructions. How do I use it?+

Most of our Missouri Star templates are made to go with a specific pattern or tutorial. Search the template name in our quilting tutorials to watch Jenny use it step by step, then pick up the matching pattern.

Which templates work with charm packs and layer cakes?+

Many of our Missouri Star templates are sized for precuts and say so in the name, for example “for 5" Charm Packs” or “for 10" Squares”. Use the 5" versions with charm packs and the 10" versions with layer cakes. Rulers like the Missouri Star 2.5" x 8" are handy for jelly roll strips.

What is the best first quilting ruler to buy?+

Start with a long rectangle ruler for cutting strips from yardage, like a 6" x 24", plus a smaller one you can keep by the machine. Customers love the Missouri Star 2.5" x 8" and 2.5" x 15" rulers for trimming, half-square triangles and precut strips. Add a square ruler like a 6.5" or 12.5" for squaring up blocks.

Can I use a regular quilting ruler for machine quilting?+

No. Machine quilting rulers are about 1/4" thick and need a ruler foot that matches your machine’s shank height (low, high or slant). A thin cutting ruler can slip under the foot and hit the needle.

How do I keep acrylic templates from cracking or warping?+

Store them flat or hanging, away from heat and direct sun, and never iron over them. Rotary blades can nick the edges, so cut with steady, even pressure along the edge rather than pressing down hard.