An Inch is NOT an Inch!
I am working on a quilt that I will submit for consideration into a juried exhibit. The exhibit has specific size requirements. I completed my quilt and was preparing to cut it to be 24″ x 20″. You know the adage-measure twice, cut once. When it comes to making a cut on a quilt that must be a specific size, if you cut too small you will be out of the running. Since I made this quilt specifically for this exhibit, I was going to be very careful about my cuts.
I lined up two rulers to lay the line for my subsequent cuts and I could not help but notice:
Holy cow, one ruler was a full 1/8″ shorter! How can that be? So then I just had to get out my other 24″ rulers:
There was some discrepancy there too! My final tally on rulers: Omnigrid and O’Lipfa were the same, Cutting Edge was 1/32″ shorter and the Matrix ruler was the full 1/8″ shorter. I’m astounded.
So, which is “right”?? I did a little mind numbing research and found that in 1066, 1 inch was equal to the length of 3 barleycorn. Ah, but it became much more refined in 1814 when an inch was defined as “three grains of sound ripe barley being taken out the middle of the ear, well dried, and laid end to end in a row”. Wow, cleared that up! You will be happy to know that at the time, the barleycorn was the standard from which all English long measurements were made. The barleycorn thing remained the standard until the mid-1800’s.
Given the history of the inch, I would deduce that the Matrix ruler is shorter than most 24″ rulers by…the mere width of a barleycorn.
And the next time you are asked to make a piece to a certain dimension, perhaps you should ask-“Whose inch should I use?”
You’re supplied proof as to why I was told always to stick with the same line of rulers for a project. What to do? Do you indicate on your entry that it measures 24 inches as defined by the Omnigrid 24 inch square ruler? Do you send a photo of your quilt with the ruler you used overlaid on it to prove how you derived your measurement? I hadn’t realized that the measurement requirements for juried exhibits were so picky, but then I’ve never entered one. Can you ask for clarification from the powers that be? Good luck!
Astounding!
There should have been tolerances given for the required size. There weren’t, so don’t sweat it!
For this exhibit, anyway, the content is what’s important. You can be assured I’m not gonna run around with a laser measure disqualifying excellent art! (Can’t speak for other shows…) So get that piece in!
Dolores
AKA “powers that be “)
Oh I’m actually not sweating it Dolores-I know Important People! It actually makes me wonder if organizers/curators/jurists address this issue. I’m working on my piece-I’ll get it in!
Joanna I usually do stick with the same line of rulers. In this case I was just lining up the ends of two rulers to lay down my line. I am actually not worried about my quilt not getting in for size reasons in this case.
But the reason they have restrictions on juried exhibits is usually for two reasons: limited gallery wall space and, to make the exhibit look better. I really don’t know this for sure but I’ll bet there is a variance allowed of say 1/2″ too big or small. I don’t want to take a chance though!
I use only one line of rulers — largely because a) who needs more than one 6″ x 24″ ruler (they’re expensive ’round here!); and b) for years we could only get one brand here anyway (Omnigrid). When I’ve had to replace one, I’ve done so with the same brand.
But as a knitter, I know full well that 1″ on a straight ruler is not quite the same as 1″ on a tape measure, so I generally use the latter. And I put husked barley corns in my soup! :-)
Oh so 1″ on a tape measure does not equal 1″ on a straight ruler?? This is just a can of worms! And those barleycorns are mighty good in soup.
Astounding and funny!
Yes-who knew???
All barleycorn (and products thereof) aside. I was told by a very reliable source that Omnigrid are the most accurate rulers and tools that you can buy. Their website states:
“Omnigrid®
Creating a revolution in rotary cutting! The most accurate and versatile selection of rulers and cutting mats for quilting, crafters, sewing enthusiasts, and artists.
Omnigrid Rulers consistently offer a multitude of distinct advantages, making them preferred by professional teachers and quilters worldwide. They remain unequaled in accuracy, performance and quality. ”
And I believe it. I think that I was told their accuracy is to 1/100 of an inch. Enough barleycorn for me! HH
Thanks for that Helen. I have always considered the Omnigrid to be the gold standard. But then when I began to think about it I wondered, are they just consistent (which I know they are) or are they correct? How would I ever know what a true “inch” was? Where do I go to see an accurate inch? Ah, the mysteries of the Quilting Universe!
It is not just rulers that have different measurements. A quarter inch foot form one company is not the same width as one for another brand of machine and neither are the same width as the quarter inch on the ruler. I found out the hard way. We have to match all the tools we use when quilting. Never take anything for granted.
Oh I forgot about that one Maga! Yes, I learned that too-borrowed someone’s machine at retreat to do a few blocks-yikes-way different!
And this is one of the reasons why I don’t use the measurements on my cutting mat. Great post Jenny!
Thanks Laura. Cutting mat lines-nooooooooo!
I learnt early on never to use a tape measure because they stretch, the only tape measure I use is a builder’s metal retractable tape, otherwise I use my plastic rulers and I believe you need to check them occasionally to make sure they are still straight.
Good idea Pip-I did notice I had eaten away the edge on one ruler, making that ruler fairly useless since it would not cut straight.
What a great posting. I love the info – barley corn, who knew!? Your pictures are fun too. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it Letty! I thought it was going to be some pretty dry research until I started reading about barleycorns!
Yikes! But can you imagine the panic if the exhibit guidelines specified the required dimensions in barleycorn? Quilters would be freaking out at natural grocers’ bulk bins, fretting about which grains of barleycorn were exactly the right size…
LOL!! Then Ricky Tims or someone would have a video on proper use of barleycorns! There would be barleycorn booths at Houston. Maybe someone would write a book….
I had always been aware of the admonishment/advice to use the same measure for an entire project but had not realized the true meaning of the quandary!!!! I know that, when measuring for the quilt borders, I use the same plastic tape to measure the quilt and the cut strips. It has always produced “spot on” results. I have a high number of Omnigrid rulers but have found others whose markings I find easier to read. I’ll have to do a double check!! I do know that machine feet (1/4″) and the markings on the machine plate are not always accurate and so I stick to one machine for piecing that gives me the perfect scant measurement! In quilting, even a hair’s width difference multiplies quickly!!!! Great post!!!!!!! And good luck on your submission!!!!!! Hugs……………………
Thanks Doreen! Way back at the beginning of Jenny Quilting Time, I pieced a quilt using two different rulers. It was a mess. I do always use my Omnigrids to cut with, but in this case I was trying to lay 2 parallel lines for the sides. Imagine if I had not noticed-then I might have had a trapezoid!
Who says “Size Doesn’t Matter”. I just didn’t know that this applies to rulers. : )
Bobbi!!
The last 6×24 ruler I bought was TruCut. I was very disappointed after I got it to find out that it starts with 1/2″ instead of 1″. It appears that your Cutting Edge does the same. I’ll have to see how it measures up to my Omni Grid ruler.
https://flipflashpages.uniflip.com/3/41039/117295/pub/
I know they do that half inch for a reason but it annoys me too!