denise0570

Is there another ruler that does the same thing as the CG spider ruler? I really hate to buy another ruler that I won't use for more than one block - thanks

Iceblossom

The short answer is yes, there are other rulers of exactly the same isosceles triangle shape. I think mine is Eleanor Burns. Takes a bit more struggle but the lines are also drawn on most rectangular ruler and technically we don't need the shape at all, but since I mostly quilt with scraps I can appreciate a nice acrylic shape to work with.

If, however, you are following directions that specifically use markings on the CG ruler than they might not work. But if you cut your strips to the correct height, make them all the same point/trimmed point/whatever, the shapes will work just fine.

I consider triangle rulers to be basic among my tool set. Just be aware that Hexes have 6 parts and so a 60 degree angle, and Octagons have 8 sides and so 45 degrees. The two are not the same but so easy to confuse when you grab them out of the drawer...

There may be other quilts that you will be happy to have them, I use them in V blocks like 54-40 or Fight
https://www.quiltingdaily.com/quilt/...r-fight-block/

bearisgray

The triangle in a square angles (Doreen Speckmann's Peaky and Spike unit) are easy to draft, but the angles in the center triangle are approximately 58.3, 58.3, and 63.4 degrees, and the angles in the skinny side triangles are approximately 31.7, 90.0. and 58.3 degrees. There are many rulers available for this, also.

So - the 45, 67.5, 67.5 (8-sided "spiderweb" ruler) nor a ruler with 60-60-60 (equilateral triangle) will not work for that unit.

bearisgray

A comparison of three commonly used triangle units:

https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...-triangles.jpg

Iceblossom

Bear is right, and what I was trying to say (short form) in addition to having the right ruler for the right shape is sometimes the instructions on using that ruler is maybe more important than the ruler itself!

bearisgray

Also, the "spider" triangle would be "taller" than the other triangles in the illustration.

Did not think about that triangle when I was drawing the comparisons- way back when.

Onebyone

I found it saves frustration and miss cuts to use the ruler recommended if a specialty ruler. A basic ruler any one will do. I think of it as part of the cost of making the quilt. I can always use scraps or buy sale fabric to make up the cost of the ruler.

bearisgray

Especially if the pattern/book makes a point of using a certain ruler - - - -

In many cases, I am able to translate/transpose the instructions to a ruler I already have - but in some cases, it just is not worth the effort and chance for multiple errors.

It does annoy me, though, to have bought a specialty ruler - such as the spider web one - and then "better" versions come out that I would like better.

petthefabric

There are 8 wedges around the center point for a spider block. That means the center angle is 45 degrees. So any triangle with a 45 degree will work. The advantage to the CG spider ruler is the placement lines; one bisecting the 45 angle and one perpenticular to that.

The Marti Mitchell Kaleido-Ruler has all the angles to complete that block. It's available on Amazon.

Iceblossom

The difference is the equilateral triangle has 3 equal sides, and an isosceles triangle the base is smaller than the sides. That's what I call a V block.

Once again, that graph site I like can come to the rescue as well!
https://www.incompetech.com/graphpaper/

This is where I prepared my fabric for a one block wonder sort of thing. I prefer to carefully stack my fabric and baste it and then cut through. I had meant for these to be hexes and didn't realize until after I started cutting that things weren't working out the way I wanted them to. It isn't that they are bad, but they are the wrong shape for what I wanted to do and used up the fabric I wanted to use. I have other fabric, and now I have these to figure out what to do with! All because I grabbed the wrong triangle.