Improve your Sewing by Having the Right Tools!

By Jessica LuckertOct 15, 2025

-- Rulers!! --

I received an assortment of rulers from a sewing supply company called Wawak. I love Wawak, so I'm going to add some links to so you can check them out there. Plus, I already had a few to start with.

So, why do I have many rulers and what do they all do? Read on to find out!

(This post contains affiliate links to the patterns, but not to the rulers)

Clear Rulers

Let's start with clear rulers and why you will LOVE having them.

This first one is a Dritz See-Thru Ruler. This particular ruler is 15" long. I didn't get this specific ruler from Wawak, but they do sell it here - https://www.wawak.com/cutting-measuring/measuring-tools/sewing-rulers/see-thru-dressmakers-ruler-15-x-4.

What I love about this ruler is that is tall enough, thick enough, to easily keep a pencil, pen, or rotary cutter along side it for perfect lines and cuts.

Measuring to increase the side waist length on the Ellie and Mac Be Dreamy Dress Pattern

And because it's see-through you can look at the pattern, fabric, or cutting mat underneath it. This allows you to align it with the mat and double check the pattern or lines of fabric under the ruler before cutting.

Another neat feature of this specific ruler is that it has cutouts so that you can draw lines within the ruler itself (as seen below).

The second useful see-through ruler is the Dritz See-Thru Marking Ruler which is 18" x 2".

Measuring the Belt Buckle for the Ellie and Mac Shyra Chic Backpack Pattern

The blue lined ruler is no longer on the Wawak website, but the new model is available here - https://www.wawak.com/cutting-measuring/measuring-tools/sewing-rulers/quilt-and-sew-see-thru-marking-ruler-18-x-2/#sku=ta27

This ruler is unique because it's flexible along its length, which means you can easily grab it at the end and rotate it along a curve or use it on a straight area. It's not as thick as the previous ruler, so I don't recommend it for using with a rotary cutter as it will dig into the flexible thinner plastic.

A useful feature about this ruler is it's ability to draw circles like you would with a compass using those little holes at 1/2" intervals. I've also used the holes to mark where I want grommets/buttons/snaps to go as they are spaced out so evenly.

Measuring the length for the Ellie and Mac Lily Laptop & Tablet Sleeve Pattern

If you ever watch pattern makers expertly mark and change paper sewing patterns, you'll likely see a ruler just like this one. And because of it's thin profile, it's easy to combine with other rulers as you'll see in the picture below.

Quilting Rulers - Not Just for Quilting

Below, you'll see my third favorite see through ruler type. This is technically a quilting ruler, but I don't quilt, and I use it ALL THE TIME. I have a blue/clear Omnigrip ruler which is 18" x 6" and another from Fiskars, that's 24" x 6". I love them both.

I didn't get these from Wawak, but you can find the ones they have here - https://www.wawak.com/search-results/?q=quilting%20rulers

These long clear rulers work perfectly for marking lines and cutting bands and binding. The also make it soo easy to not only cut the length but also the width. Simply overlap the ruler onto the fabric the width you need and cut straight down the length you want.

And if you ever make bags, these are also so helpful for cutting straps and making sure boxed corners are straight.

Measuring for the Michelle Must Have Bucket Bag

L Square Rulers

Speaking of straight corners, check out this L Square Ruler that makes 90 degree corners perfect:

Measuring to shorten the Ellie and Mac Go Exploring Cardigan Pattern

In the picture above, I used it to shorted a cardigan pattern and used the 90 degrees make sure that the hem was straight across. But there are so many other times where it comes in handy. Bag making, quilting...

Here's a better picture of this metal ruler so you can see all the details. It's also useful for making bias binding, piping, and for drafting by hand. The brand is Fairgate. (Find the Fairgate rulers here - https://www.wawak.com/search-results/?q=fairgate%20rulers)

French Curve Rulers

Next up is the French Curve Ruler aka Styling Design Ruler. If you want to do pattern drafting or pattern alterations, this one is a must have. The particular French Curve in the picture below is from Dritz and as you can see, it's another see through ruler.

I actually have two of these see-through French Curve Rulers, as you can see they are both very similar. Both use inches. If you plan to measure in imperial measurements, these are great. If you want to use the metric system, be sure to find a ruler that uses the metric measurements!

Below are two other types of French Curves. The top is more of a hip curve ruler. It's great for designing, drafting, or altering pants and skirt patterns.

The bottom one could also be used as a hip curve but also works well at the neckline and side seams. These are both also Fairgate Rulers and use imperial measurements (inches).

Hem Ruler

This next ruler, I actually made a video about because it's super cool. It's called the Dritz Ezy-Hem Ruler. Check that out below:

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A post shared by Ellie and Mac Sewing Patterns (@ellieandmac_patterns)

I looked and Wawak has their own version of this ruler now which you can find here - https://www.wawak.com/cutting-measuring/measuring-tools/sewing-rulers/hem-gauge-ruler-4-x-9/#sku=ta17

Tape Measurers

Most sewists have a tape measurer in their arsenal. But I wanted to highlight this one because it makes it so easy for beginners and also anyone that wants to quickly find the fractions along the tape.

As you can see in the close up below, this particular tape measurer from Wawak includes the 7 fractions in eighths between each inch. That way you don't have to count each line. This tape would also be amazing for kids who don't yet understand the fractions.

Here's the link to this tape measurer - https://www.wawak.com/cutting-measuring/measuring-tools/sewing-tape-measures/wawak-tape-measure-w-crotch-piece-72-metricinches/#sku=taw60 if you want to check it out.

Seam Gauge

The last type of ruler I want to mention that I think every sewist needs is a Seam Gauge. Do you have one?

As you can see in the picture below, it has a slider so that you can move it to an exact spot for easy measuring of hems, seam allowances, and more.

Measuring the Zipper Welt Pocket for the Shyra Chic Backpack Pattern

Here's the link to the one that Wawak has (I can't remember where I got mine) - https://www.wawak.com/cutting-measuring/measuring-tools/sewing-gauges/wawak-heavy-duty-seam-gauge-6/#sku=ta180

Rulers Rule

As you can see I use rulers every time I sew and I think they are necessary to have. You may not need as many as I have. But as you continue to sew, you might find yourself collecting more and more!