I have been using my husbands building rulers. I don't know what else to call them. He using them to build stuff. Anyhow, they are very accurate. Buy them at Home Depot or Lowes in the hardware section.

This is also why you shouldn't measure with your mat... Though I saw Ricky Tims do it on a video once! LOL

I'm glad you shared this information. I didn't know this!

WOW - thank you for that information - I never realized different rulers would measure things differently.

I've heard over and over that rulers can be different sizes, and not to use your mat, etc. But... I have checked my rulers, and they all agree that an inch is an inch, and my mat agrees with the rulers. I think the differences come about because of the different way the lines are marked, the coloration of the rulers, and other factors. I know I can see certain fabrics better using clear rulers, and for others the greenish rulers work better. Sometimes the thickness of the ruler interferes with the cut, because the lines are nearer the top of the ruler. The only "mat" I have found to be really off in the measurement was the June Taylor ironing station, which had a grid marked on top of the ironing surface, and that was WAY off.

I must admit I never actually checked mine. I generally use my 6" wide Omnigrip and if I need wider, I butt up my 6 1/2" square, also Omnigrip. I do also use my mat from time to time, if it's a larger piece there's more room for fudge factor. But as a matter of interest, I'm going to check all my rulers and mats. My DH will think I'm a right saddo, he already thinks I'm anal about these things! LOL

I could sense you were all waiting with baited breath so I hurried back... :lol: drum roll.... they're all exactly the same, Omnigrip, Olfa, Sew Easy, some strange brand I bought in France. No difference, so long as, like dunster said, you line the marks up right, ie in the centre of the line. :-D Thanks for starting this thread though, I'll stop stressing about how I measure now. :-D

I did not know that. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the info.

great to know