Product Review: Phillips Fiber Art Spot On Ruler

So last weekend we did our first in-store demo of a product, and for those that missed it, here's a little peek at what we demoed, and my review of it. 

The Phillips Fiber Art Spot On Ruler

Specs

• Small, angular, acrylic ruler
• Designed for hexies and triangles
• Cost: $11.00

Pros

• Oh the shapes you can (accurately) make! I did not have to pin my project except at the required intersections where I needed to match points.  It all just FIT

Pardon my mess.  Look at the quilt.  Ooh. Ahh. 

• Very clear markings and easy to use
• Comes with a free pattern with the ruler, but there are several different patterns to choose from
• Patterns are very well done, and great for visual learners.  The graphics are clear, and I used those more than the written words

Cons

• I don't have the hugest hands in the world, but this is small enough that it was tricky to hold effectively and not have fingers in harm's way. 
• The ruler is VERY slippy.  You definitely will want some kind of ruler grips on this thing to help with that.  A slip while cutting WILL matter here.  
• ...Pretty much only super useful for the patterns designed for it.  I don't know that I would use it for anything else. 

Conclusion

★★★☆☆

This was a fun little tool to use and the projects are quick.  At $11 for a ruler, the price point isn't bad at all.  My only gripe is that unless you're using the patterns its designed for, it's not good for much else.  It really is a unitasker.  But if you need a quick gift to whip up, or want to give a gift, these rulers are great.  

Product Review: Elisa's Back Porch Designs Crazy Curves Path 7" Ruler

Occasionally I like to try new shit.  And occasionally I fail at it, and try again, and fail, and try again, and fail, and have someone sit with me and show me, and fail, until I get frustrated and give up because I am #rad.

Curved seams was one of those things.  Swear to God I tried and tried and could not make my brain get it. Even sitting down with someone who was good at it, seeing it, and understanding it did not work because when I tried with them sitting right there, it went so wrong they couldn't even explain what on Earth I did wrong. 

Fast forward like five years later when my rage subsided (it's a slow burn over here), I finally got smart and watched some Youtube videos about how to do them.  This template here did the trick.

Specs

• Clear acrylic template
• 7', but does come in a variety of other sizes
• Cost: $17.95 for the 7"

Pros

• I CAN DO CURVES NOW.  
• NO SERIOUSLY, IT WORKS
• Very easy to see where your straight of grain should be.  
• Durable.  I have dropped this a lot, and stepped on it a couple times.  No cracks. 

Cons

• There is no non-slip stuff on these...so you have to be very attentive and very careful when cutting so you don't slide and warp your cut.  
• You have to buy additional templates for other sizes.  It's a one trick pony. 

Conclusion

★★★★☆

One ding because it's a one trick pony, and lacks anything to prevent slippage.  The latter is an easy fix, though.  I LOVE using this ruler.  I never thought I could do curves, and I can now.  So...get one! 

Product Review: Sullivan's The Cutting Edge Frosted Ruler

Every now and then a product comes along that makes you think, "Shit!  That's a great idea!  Why didn't I think of that?!"  Sullivan's The Cutting Edge Frosted Ruler was one of those products.  This ruler promises to sharpen your rotary cutter blade while you do your normal cutting.

So, I gave it a whack, so to speak, back in 2011 and reviewed it in my old blog pretty quickly after starting to use it.  Mistakes.  Were.  Made.  I got sucked up into the gimmick!  Here is a more realistic review after more use for your reading pleasure.

Specs

• Frosted acrylic
• 6.5" x 24.5" but comes in other sizes too
• $34.49

Pros

• The measurements and angles are well marked
• The frosted texture prevents slippage while cutting
• The half inch marks are a different color than the whole inch marks, so it's good for a quick reference

Cons

• The promise to sharpen your blade while cutting falls very, very short.  I actually nicked more blades with this thing than anything!  The metal piece on the side is EXTREMELY easy to catch at the beginning of a cut, unless you're cutting in the middle of the ruler at all times.  
• THE NOISE MAKES ME WANT TO JUMP OFF A BRIDGE.
• The metal piece actually came off entirely after nicking it one too many times
• The sharpening action actually created a very fine, dark "dust" that was rather annoying
• The frosting is so thick it is very difficult to see your fabric underneath if it isn't a dark fabric....makes lining up cuts a real bitch especially if lighting isn't jusssssst right. 
• The half inch marks and whole inch marks are difficult to distinguish from the sides of the ruler (there isn't a clear half inch side and whole inch side like other rulers)

Conclusion

★☆☆☆☆

If this isn't a case of "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," then I don't know what is.  The premise is great, but there is a LOT of room for improvement.  If they could fix the frosting so it is easier to see fabric and improve the metal piece so it didn't nick and catch on blades, then I might give it another try.  But for the cost, it's not worth it.  I can get the same size ruler from Creative Grids (which I LOVE by the way) for nearly $10 less ad it doesn't f@ck up my blades.  Sullivan's had a great idea here, but I think they need to go back to the ol' drawing board.