Learning Ruler Work with Amanda Murphy!

February 7, 2018
Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

Ruler Work, Machine Quilting, Lori Kennedy

Good Morning, Quilters!

Ever since BERNINA came out with the #72 Adjustable Ruler Foot for domestic sewing machines, I have wanted to add Ruler Work to my quilts.  I gave the effort a half-hearted attempt last year, but when BERNINA expert, Amanda Murphy started a quilt-a-long on We All Sew a few weeks ago–I jumped in with all three feet (my two + the #72)!

The ruler work quilt-a-long is being offered for FREE at BERNINA’s website, We All Sew.  and includes: downloadable instructions, written tutorials and videos–all FREE!

Thank YOU, Amanda!

Thank YOU, BERNINA!!!!

Follow along with me–a ruler work beginner–as I work through the lessons.

GETTING STARTED

First, look at the rulers and the foot and how they work together.

The needle is set in the center of the foot and 1/4 inch away from the edge.  When you line up any edge of the foot–sides, front, back–your stitching line will be 1/4inch away.  (Sometimes this confuses me a little as I’m sewing!)

The stitching line is always 1/4″ away from the edge of the foot.

Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

To stitch ON a Drawn Line…

The ruler is notched to accommodate the foot. To stitch on a drawn line, you must align the ruler as below–The far edges line up with the drawn line…and you stitch in the notch.

https://weallsew.com/bernina-rulerwork-quilt-along-part-1/

When the foot is pressing against the ruler in the notched section–the stitching line will be on the drawn line. 
Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

GRIPPING THE RULER

Gripping the ruler was the next challenge. The ruler tends to slide.  I tried a few different types of glue dots.

I like the Westalee tape that Amanda mentions,  but I’m too new at this to have a strong opinion.

Adding a grip to the ruler helped quite a bit, but I still had trouble holding the ruler and moving everything…

Do I press down? Should I press the foot against the ruler?  How do I move the quilt while holding the ruler?  I felt like I need a third hand (why not, I’m using three feet, right?)  Watching the videos helped…but this is definitely going to take practice!

Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

STITCH, THEN MOVE

In the video, Amanda warns about two things…your quilting foot must be down before you move the ruler in to position to prevent smashing the ruler and you must start stitching before you move the quilt or you get a little jump stitch…

Here’s what just one of my jump stitches look like, there are several!
Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

SOME MARKING REQUIRED

I was a little surprised the project starts by drawing the outline of the quilt…(I was hoping that we just used rulers for that job) but I can see how difficult it would be without a little pre-marking.

The pre-marking just takes a few minutes to set up. Amanda uses a blue washout pen.  I used my favorite, Dritz Cartridge Chalk.  (Amazon affiliate link)

Ruler work, Lori KennedyRuler work, Lori Kennedy

CUSTOMIZE THE RULER

Amanda recommends adding blue painter’s tape to customize the ruler for different designs.  Brilliant!  Works like a charm!Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

I used 28 wt Aurifil cotton thread –one of my favorite threads for machine quilting.  (Topstitch 90 needle)

This is Area 1–Piano Keys
Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

Area 2 Love the Bricks!
Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

Area 3–Modern plaid…

Ruler work, Lori Kennedy

That’s all for this month.  Amanda Murphy and BERNINA’s We All Sew will be adding more this month….

 

A BEGINNER’S LESSONS FROM PART ONE

Ruler Work requires lots of practice!

On domestic sewing machines, the 72 foot is required (so you can’t use a stitch regulator (BSR).

Rulers for ruler work are thicker than cutting rulers.

Rulers require some “no slide” modification.

The stitching line is always 1/4” away from the edge of the foot.

Begin stitching before moving!

Presser foot down before moving ruler into position.

Painter’s tape helps customize the ruler for different designs.

TOMORROW–BACK TO MY ROOTS

After concentrating so hard on Ruler Work, I made another version of this quilt using all free motion quilting…

Coming tomorrow!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Are YOU interested in Ruler Work?

Do YOU have any “lessons learned”?

Are you a member of Amanda Murphy’s Facebook Group?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Your Ruler-challenged quilter,

Lori

PS…If you like these motifs and tips, be sure to check out my book, Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3

PPS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

 

 

 

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