snipforfun

This is another reason I don't do BOM sponsored by shops. The tools they want you to have plus the exorbitant monthly cost.

mom-6

Rulers and templates can make your life easier but unless you find ones that you like and will use they can be an unnecessary additional expense.

BellaBoo

I sent you a pm.

wishfulthinking

Update: I found two of the items via JoAnn's and ordered them. Thanks so much for all the ideas and suggestions. This board is the best!

postal packin' mama

Today I had a local glass-replacement shop make me a 16.5" square of 1/8" thick acrylic, the same thickness of my Omnigrid rulers. It's precise, smooth-edged, and cost much less than ordering one this size that doesn't seem to be stocked ordinarily. Of course it doesn't have the lines like a 'real' quilting ruler but I'll put the size & diagonal lines & 1/4" seam lines on it and then cover that with the clear non-slip stuff to keep the markings from coming off.
I'll only use it for squaring up the big blocks & batting & backing for the quilt-as-you-go I'm working on ("Buggy
Wheels" 16" finished blocks. There are several pictures if you "Search" in the options listed at top of this page).

Much easier than having to measure several times for each component.

raedar63

A lot of the time they offer a template option.

Boopers

I did the "American Beauty" quilt. MM's templates are helpful but not an absolute need. They are all of their own measurements and differ from a standard ruler. Her directions are easy to follow and if you can figure out the measurements you can make it without the templates. All the cuts are like 4 and 9/16ths. Her measurements are very exact.