After I posted on using Fatquartershop's Square in a Square foundation papers yesterday, I got an email from my friend Barbara. She reminded me that there is a ruler/tool that she has used for years to make this unit, and that she didn't see the need to purchase the foundation papers, good as they are.
And you guessed it. I too, own this ruler and forgot I had it. It is Deb Tuckers Square 2 ruler/trim tool. It actually is quite brilliant. It turns out the center square unit for the Square in a Square block is always a very strange, impossible to measure size. Like 3.1576" or something. So, the beauty of using a foundation paper or ruler with the center square already marked for this oddball size is the key to having the units come out perfectly.
The first step is to cut your center square according to the finished size block you need. This is clearly marked on the ruler. I was making the 3 inch finished unit. Next you cut your triangle units according to the finished size. You get an overly generous measurement because there will be a final trim down. In my case I had to cut the squares for the triangle pieces 2 3/4".
Once you sew the triangles onto the square you use the Deb Tucker tool to trim to the perfect size, which is also marked on her ruler.
Do you see the X marks that you line up at the corner points? Isn't that brilliant? You line all four Xs up then trim around your unit and you will have your exact Square in a Square unit.
I compared my Deb Tucker Square in Square units with my Fatquartershop foundation paper unit and they were 100% exactly the same perfect 3 1/2" unfinished size.
Plus for those of you who care about these things, you use less fabric with the Deb Tucker method.
Here is the YouTube tutorial for the Deb Tucker Square 2 method.
Thanks Barbara, for the reminder about this great tool. I love the foundation papers as well, but once you have this ruler, you are pretty much all set. Fatquartershop sells both the ruler and the papers. Links above.
Rough day yesterday, but we are taking things a step at a time.
36 responses to “Another Way To Make Square in Square Units”
Deb Tucker rulers are brilliant. This is how I make my economy blocks (squareinsquare).There is a ruler for larger squares too, up to 12″.
Deb Tucker rulers are brilliant. This is how I make my economy blocks (squareinsquare).There is a ruler for larger squares too, up to 12″.
Deb Tucker rulers are brilliant. This is how I make my economy blocks (squareinsquare).There is a ruler for larger squares too, up to 12″.
I am grateful to all the genius women like Deb Tucker who come up with these rulers to make quilting easier and more accurate!
I am grateful to all the genius women like Deb Tucker who come up with these rulers to make quilting easier and more accurate!
I am grateful to all the genius women like Deb Tucker who come up with these rulers to make quilting easier and more accurate!
After reading this post, I googled square in a square quilt images and your Smore’s quilt came up as well as your Penny Pincher quilt. Did you finish your Smore’s quilt because it was sure beautiful! Have a great day, Nicole!
After reading this post, I googled square in a square quilt images and your Smore’s quilt came up as well as your Penny Pincher quilt. Did you finish your Smore’s quilt because it was sure beautiful! Have a great day, Nicole!
After reading this post, I googled square in a square quilt images and your Smore’s quilt came up as well as your Penny Pincher quilt. Did you finish your Smore’s quilt because it was sure beautiful! Have a great day, Nicole!
Thanks for the tip! I’m all about rulers that make blocks more accurate! I’ll definitely look for that one! I’m thinking of you & your family at this sad time. It’s so hard to lose a pet.
Thanks for the tip! I’m all about rulers that make blocks more accurate! I’ll definitely look for that one! I’m thinking of you & your family at this sad time. It’s so hard to lose a pet.
Thanks for the tip! I’m all about rulers that make blocks more accurate! I’ll definitely look for that one! I’m thinking of you & your family at this sad time. It’s so hard to lose a pet.
Deb Tucker rulers are a staple in my sewing room. You get multiple sizes with each ruler so you don’t have additional purchases for changing sizes. Highly recommend all her rulers.
Deb Tucker rulers are a staple in my sewing room. You get multiple sizes with each ruler so you don’t have additional purchases for changing sizes. Highly recommend all her rulers.
Deb Tucker rulers are a staple in my sewing room. You get multiple sizes with each ruler so you don’t have additional purchases for changing sizes. Highly recommend all her rulers.
Well you learn something new every day right? I am behind times obviously and appreciate your detailed preview of a ruler I definitely need to purchase. This looks like a great ruler. Thanks for the demonstration! Have a great day Nicole.
Mary
Well you learn something new every day right? I am behind times obviously and appreciate your detailed preview of a ruler I definitely need to purchase. This looks like a great ruler. Thanks for the demonstration! Have a great day Nicole.
Mary
Well you learn something new every day right? I am behind times obviously and appreciate your detailed preview of a ruler I definitely need to purchase. This looks like a great ruler. Thanks for the demonstration! Have a great day Nicole.
Mary
um, I think I have that ruler….
um, I think I have that ruler….
um, I think I have that ruler….
Her rulers are fantastic! Blocks are always perfect, and make quilting much more fun.
Her rulers are fantastic! Blocks are always perfect, and make quilting much more fun.
Her rulers are fantastic! Blocks are always perfect, and make quilting much more fun.
I love this block but mine have turned out wonky over the years. I bought some FQS foundation paper but it limits you to one size, so I will be on the hunt for this tool! Thank you for sharing!
I love this block but mine have turned out wonky over the years. I bought some FQS foundation paper but it limits you to one size, so I will be on the hunt for this tool! Thank you for sharing!
I love this block but mine have turned out wonky over the years. I bought some FQS foundation paper but it limits you to one size, so I will be on the hunt for this tool! Thank you for sharing!
You are always so generous with quilting info to help the rest of us. Your blog is probably my favorite. So sorry you had a rough day.
You are always so generous with quilting info to help the rest of us. Your blog is probably my favorite. So sorry you had a rough day.
You are always so generous with quilting info to help the rest of us. Your blog is probably my favorite. So sorry you had a rough day.
Oh dear. I didn’t realize I was behind in my blog reading. Now I know yesterday was rough because you lost your little dog, and I am doubly sorry!
Oh dear. I didn’t realize I was behind in my blog reading. Now I know yesterday was rough because you lost your little dog, and I am doubly sorry!
Oh dear. I didn’t realize I was behind in my blog reading. Now I know yesterday was rough because you lost your little dog, and I am doubly sorry!
We are on holiday at the beach so I missed some blogs. I am so sorry to hear about your beloved dog.
I have quite a lot of Deb Tucker’s rulers and have realised that some of them can be used to trim a few blocks even though she has a ruler for each of the blocks. I think half rectangles and v block could be done with just one ruler if you know how to use them.
I bought the larger version of the square in square block. I haven’t used it to make the larger blocks yet, but I think it will be fun to make a bigger block set on point.
We are on holiday at the beach so I missed some blogs. I am so sorry to hear about your beloved dog.
I have quite a lot of Deb Tucker’s rulers and have realised that some of them can be used to trim a few blocks even though she has a ruler for each of the blocks. I think half rectangles and v block could be done with just one ruler if you know how to use them.
I bought the larger version of the square in square block. I haven’t used it to make the larger blocks yet, but I think it will be fun to make a bigger block set on point.
We are on holiday at the beach so I missed some blogs. I am so sorry to hear about your beloved dog.
I have quite a lot of Deb Tucker’s rulers and have realised that some of them can be used to trim a few blocks even though she has a ruler for each of the blocks. I think half rectangles and v block could be done with just one ruler if you know how to use them.
I bought the larger version of the square in square block. I haven’t used it to make the larger blocks yet, but I think it will be fun to make a bigger block set on point.