Règle quick quarter: draw accurate patchwork angles
By BOHIN | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use the BOHIN Règle quick quarter to draw 1/4-inch seam allowances on both sides of your patchwork lines, with a step-by-step method for half-square triangles and Flying Geese.
Quick answer
Place the BOHIN Règle quick quarter along your desired sewing line and draw along both edges to mark a 6.35 mm (1/4") seam allowance on each side. This gives you a cut line and a stitch line in one pass, which is especially useful for half-square triangles and Flying Geese.
Why a dedicated quarter-inch ruler saves time
A standard quilting ruler helps you cut strips and squares, but marking a consistent 1/4-inch seam allowance on both sides of a diagonal line is fiddly. The Règle quick quarter is a narrow tool designed for exactly that job: its width matches the seam allowance, so you can trace the two outer edges without measuring twice. That reduces the risk of uneven seam allowances, which is a common cause of blocks that finish too small or too large.
When the ruler is less helpful
The Règle quick quarter is built for straight and diagonal lines where a 1/4-inch allowance is needed. It is not a replacement for a large square ruler when you need to cut oversized pieces or trim a block to size. For those tasks, use a standard rotary ruler and keep the quick quarter for marking. Also, if your pattern uses a seam allowance other than 1/4 inch, this ruler will not give you the right offset.
Step-by-step: marking patchwork angles with the Règle quick quarter
- Position the ruler on your fabric: Place the Règle quick quarter so its center aligns with the diagonal you want to sew, with the ruler edges parallel to that line. Common mistake: placing the ruler off-center, which makes one seam allowance wider than the other. Check that the ruler's center line sits exactly on your intended sewing line before drawing.
- Draw both seam allowance lines: Hold the ruler firmly and draw along both long edges with a fine marking tool. Work from one end to the other in a single stroke. Common mistake: pressing too hard and stretching the fabric, which distorts the line. Use a light touch and let the ruler edge guide the pen, not pressure.
- Mark the sewing line if needed: If your pattern requires a visible stitch line, draw it along the center of the ruler or use the ruler's edge as a guide for your machine's needle position. Common mistake: assuming the drawn edges are the sewing lines—they are the cut lines. Keep cut lines and stitch lines clearly distinguished with different colors or dashed vs solid lines.
- Cut and sew with confidence: Cut along the outer drawn lines, then sew along the center line or use your machine's 1/4-inch foot. Common mistake: sewing on the cut line instead of the stitch line, which makes the block too small. Before chain-piecing, test one block to confirm the finished size matches your pattern.
Product facts
- Règle quick quarter: The ruler facilitates drawing 6.35 mm (1/4") seam allowances on both sides of patchwork sewing lines. This means you can mark the cut line and stitch line in one step, saving time and improving accuracy on repeated blocks.
Règle quick quarter
