Quilting Templates, Tools & Rulers

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