How to Cut Fabric That’s Larger Than Your Ruler

It is a common challenge, while enlarging quilt block sizes, to cut fabric that is larger than your triangle ruler. Let’s walk through some ways to make this possible!
 
These examples are from the post How to make your log cabin quilt design a king size quilt, where we show you how to make the “Will-o-Wisp” pattern fit a king size bed! Since most triangles are not large enough to cut the large logs in this pattern, we must get creative and use more than one ruler to accurately cut the larger lengths required for the design.

Here are three creative ways you can combine rulers to cut a large size perfectly!

 

Cutting a 16 ¼” Triangle Log Using a 10” Ruler

We have 9 ¼” measured on the triangle and we add 7” to the left side to get our base of a 16 ¼” triangle. Below are close-ups of these two measurements.

7 inches measured to the left side.

9¼ inches measured on the triangle.

Cutting a Left 16” Diamond Log Using a 10” Ruler and a 6”x12” Ruler

This would be my “ideal” way because it requires fewer rulers. Notice that from the 4” measured on the ruler, we have added 12” of the other ruler. So from the angled edge at the left end of the fabric to the right edge of the Omnigrid ruler on the right is 16” when measured through the center of the ruler. This line goes through the center of the triangle to the imaginary line shown by the purple pointers.
 
 
Below are closeups of what is aligned.  I found a position on the Omnigrid ruler that had a line running close enough so I could see that it was parallel to the fabric strip helping me guarantee the angle was true.

Cutting a Left 16” Diamond Log Using a 10” Ruler and Two 6”x12” Rulers

This is for those who need to see the measurement more clearly. We have 3½” on the triangle plus 6½” on the Creative Grid plus 6” on the Omnigrid for a total of 16” from the cut edge of the fabric to the right edge of the ruler where we will cut.

 
The images below show details of each ruler with a 60 degree line aligned with the fabric.

Note I chose the Omnigrid to be at the right because the 60 degree line was not exactly at the corner, therefore the cut will be easier to make and less likely that I will nick the ruler.
 

These principles can be applied to any of our Clearview Triangle 60° rulers if you need to make a larger cut.
 

Knowing how to cut larger sizes will make more projects available to you, especially if buying one more ruler for a larger size is not on your list. I am typically a one-ruler gal. Owning Clearview Triangle has helped me realize that every ruler has a purpose and that, with a little creativity, one well-chosen ruler can do most projects!
 

Enjoy your quilting with one, two, or even three rulers; whatever works best for you!

Marci