Do you have some issues with seeing your lines on your quilt rulers? Is your sewing room dark with lots of shadows?
The Glow Ruler by Carolina Moore may be something that you want to take a look at.
The ruler comes in a few sizes – the larger one for cutting strips, the square ones for smaller trimming and cutting. The bottom of the ruler features a metal strip that houses the lights. You simply turn the lights on or off – depending if you need them and for storage.
The light glows the ruler lines which allows you to really see the measurements.
The measurements on the ruler and 1/2″ and 1″ incriments. It doesn’t have the other lines because they would clutter up the ruler as all the lines show up.
What is a Glow Ruler
When acrylic rulers meet technology, you get something amazing – the Carolina Moore Glow Ruler!
Perfect for curring fabric strips, this ruler brings the light right where you need it – the lines of the ruler! You’ll have accuracy like never before when you can see the lines and the fabric this clearly!
The Carolina Moore Glow Ruler can be recharged using the enclosed USB-C cord. Measurements on this ruler go up to 6 1/2″ x 24″.
It also comes in left handed rulers!
Glow Ruler Features
The Glow Ruler will light up your ruler for precise cuts and markings. Perfect for fussy cuts, this illuminated notion aids in seeing details and can be used without the light as well.
Features:
- Illuminates ruler grid and fabric beneath it
- Grid marked in 0.5″
- Includes USB-C charging cable
- Rechargeable battery
- Can also be used without light
- Ruler size: 6.5″ x 24″
Where to find the Glow Ruler
Check out Glow Rulers here – Glow Rulers for Quilters
Buy the smaller 6″ square Glow Ruler
The Light Strip on the Ruler
The Glow Ruler has a light strip in the metal band across the bottom of the ruler. You can see that the light strip illuminates the ruler lines – allowing you to see the measurements better.
It is rechargable with a simple power to USB cord. The power does last a long time though and you really shouldn’t have to charge it too often if you are just turning the light on when you are using the ruler. When not in use, simply turn it off.
Turn the light on or off as needed
The button for turning the light ruler off and on is in the middle of the metal strip. You need to push it lightly to get it turned on. If you are having issues with the button, simply lay it on the table and push the button with your thumb again.
While it is a firm push on the button, it does need some tension from behind to turn on and off.
Glow Ruler turned on
This is what the ruler looks like when the light is turned on. The measurements glow and are really quite clear to see. Because the light illuminates all the lines – this ruler has simple lines.
It only has the 1/2″ and the 1″ measurements. This is just fine as the longer ruler is really great for cutting fabric strips.
The lines are also different – the 1/2″ lines are dashed and the 1″ lines are solid, which really is great for a quick glance and understanding what measurement you are using when you line up the edge on the fabric.
Glow Ruler turned off
This is what the glow ruler looks like when it’s not turned on.
You can still see the measurement lines. It works just like a standard quilt ruler when cutting. So either way – with the light on or off, it’s a very good ruler.
The metal strip and acrylic thickness
It’s a thick and somewhat heavy ruler. The acrylic is thick and is really good quality. You won’t have to worry too much about it snapping like other rulers. You still need to be cautious with it and store it hanging or somewhere where it won’t get stepped on.
The metal strip on the bottom – you may think that this gets in your way… but it really does not.
It is along the bottom of the ruler and it really isn’t on the edge that you need to use. You can cut along the side of the ruler as the metal is flush with the acrylic.
For the most part though, you are cutting along the long top edge that does not have the metal trim and it really works perfectly. Don’t worry about that trim and simply use the ruler as you would any other ruler.
What is what it looks like in a dark room
Here is the glow ruler when it’s lit up in a dark room. I turned off the lights in the room. You can see how all the lines light up. You’ll also notice a light emanating from the top of the ruler. While this looks like a lot of light – it’s quite exaggerated in the picture.
The light at the top edge does help you see where you are cutting and isn’t glaring at all (the picture show a little glarry). This is actually really quite nice as you can see where your rotary blade is cutting!
Video Showing the Glow Ruler
You can check out more rulers, notions and quilty things on Carolina Moore site.
More Quilt Notions and Resources
- Cutting strips at an angle
- Cutting strips and squares
- Cutting half square triangles from strips
- Squaring up hst with bloc loc ruler
- Add a quarter ruler
- Using storage hooks for your quilt rulers
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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