Need a budget-friendly option to quickly cut strips, squares and rectangles?

September 30, 2024

Meet my old friend – the June Tailor Shape Cut ruler. I was introduced to her when I took my first quilting class many moons ago.

A photo showing the Shape Cut ruler from June Tailor.

This is the basic model (JT-796), which can cut strips up to 12″ wide. The cutting slits are marked every 1/2″, so I can easily cut in whole and 1/2″ increments. You can often find this ruler on sale @ Joann or Wal-Mart for about $25.00. Similar rulers are also available on Amazon under a variety of brand names. Just be aware that slit cut/slotted rulers are more flexible than a traditional acrylic quilting ruler. There’s also a similar product called Stripology rulers marketed by Creative Grids. It’s a good product, but much more expensive.

Remember, we’re on a budget here. This $25 ruler will allow you to achieve the same basic functions. The key is to learn how to use the ruler, plus a couple of ruler hacks:

(1) Watch the instructional video distributed by AccuQuilt/June Tailor. (AccuQuilt bought June Tailor in 2023.)
(2) Watch this video from Fat Quarter Shop. The demo uses the Stripology ruler; however many of the same principles apply to all slit cut rulers. I found the part on sub-cutting especially helpful. It is about the 6:15 minute mark in the video.

What if you need to cut strips in 1/4″ or 3/4″ increments? There’s a hack for that, but it depends on which version of the ruler you have. Your 1/4″ line will either be to the left or right of the 0 cutting slit. If your version is like mine with 1/4″ and 3/4″ lines to the LEFT of the 0 cutting slit, I HIGHLY recommend you download and print-out the cutting chart referenced in the Fat Quarter Shop video. These directions work well with this version of the ruler.

Photo showing offset lines for cutting 1/4" and 3/4" strips with June Tailor ruler.
My Shape Cut showing 1/4″ and 3/4″ cutting lines to the left of the 0 cutting slit.

If you have a version which has a dashed 1/4″ line to the RIGHT of the 0 cutting slit, watch this video and reference the cutting chart in the instructions found here. I’ve only found this configuration on the XL version of the ruler in my local shops, although the official AccuQuilt videos and online product literature show the regular version as having the dashed 1/4″ line to the right. Perhaps a product redesign is coming to market soon? Regardless, check which version you have before making any cuts.

Product photo from AccuQuilt site showing 1/4″ line to the right of the 0 cutting slit.

You will essentially make two passes to cut strips in 1/4″ and 3/4″ increments. Same thing applies to sub-cutting into squares and rectangles.. All you have to do is follow the steps on the chart and cut where indicated on each pass. Make sure you are using the appropriate cutting chart for your version of the Shape Cut ruler.

Even with a manual die cutting system, I keep a Shape Cut ruler in my ruler inventory. It’s a handy size and easy to transport to classes/retreats. For small projects or those involving fat quarters, it’s often faster than getting out the Sizzix machine and corresponding AccuQuilt/Sizzix dies.

Tip: If you find you like using slit cut rulers, but want something more substantial like a traditional acrylic ruler, take a look at the Stripology products. They are a lot less “bendy” than the June Tailor versions. The ‘tweens at SQTM Summer Quilt Camp were much more confident with a rotary cutter when they used the Stripology (slit cut) ruler versus a regular quilting ruler.

The aftermath

September 27, 2024

Fortunately, Hurricane Helene moved east when she came ashore and travelled up through Georgia. We got rain, rain and more rain (almost 6″ in the past 24 hours), but were spared most of the damaging winds. We have the normal leaves, twigs and limb debris we usually get following a severe thunderstorm. The neighborhood across the street had a tree down along the main road. I passed an engineer checking on the newly installed storm culvert while out walking Sadie.

A photo showing a fallen tree from Hurricane Helene.
A tree down following Hurricane Helene.
Newly installed storm culvert moving all the water.

Our power went out briefly overnight, but it’s back on now. There’s a lot of localized flooding all over Atlanta, particularly the Brookhaven, Buckhead and Sandy Springs areas. First responders have had to make several water rescues, including some involving small boats.

When I see all of the news reports of hurricane damage on television and online, I am so thankful my friends and family came through relatively unscathed. I also received confirmation that I made the right decision to cancel our trip to the Asheville Quilt Show. I see they’ve extended the show through Sunday, but I think I’ll still stay home.

Prepping for Hurricane Helene

September 26, 2024

Yesterday, I got a taste of what it’s like to be without power for a few hours. Apparently, there was a major traffic accident near my home involving a power pole and a big transformer box at the corner intersection. Everything fell eerily still and silent. No blinking lights, no attempts to restart the power like it normally does during a power outage. It took almost 5 hours before power was finally restored.

Due to the rain and cloud cover, the house was dark mid-afternoon. I had a small flashlight, candles and matches readily available, plus my cell phone, which was only about 1/2 way charged. On my to-do list for yesterday was to buy D batteries for the other flashlights and radio, plus charge up my Daylight lamp and small portable battery bank.

I took care of all that last night and this morning – plus removed yard ornaments, cushions and secured other things that might go flying in heavy winds. Home Depot and nearby retail stores were out of D batteries, but I managed to snag some at a CVS a few miles away. I have my books, word search, playing cards and handwork (embroidery/EPP) ready to go. Water and non-perishable snacks are ready. The 10′ ladder is in the garage waiting to prop up the garage door in case I need to get out when there’s no power. I’ll finish up all the laundry this afternoon, take a hot shower and wash and blow dry my hair. All in case the power is out for an extended period of time after the storm.

The weather forecasts are all over the map. It’s hard to know exactly who to believe. The storm is estimated to come ashore anywhere from a Cat 2 to Cat 5 hurricane. The forecaster I trust the most is calling for a Cat 3 hurricane at landfall closer to Cedar Key. We’ll still get rain and wind, but the worst of it will be east of I-85 – on the other side of town from where I live. I hope he’s right. Anyhow, I’m planning to hunker down in the basement with Sadie for the night. We’ll deal with whatever we need to once the storm passes.

Stay safe out there!

Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com