If you need help squaring up a quilt block with a large square ruler, I have made up a directions sheet with photos and posted it on my blog:
Wasie's Wonderings
You only need one large ruler and then you can use the diagonal intersecting lines to cut to any size square by trimming the right side and top. Let me know if you have any questions!

Wasie

Thanks, Wasie, for posting these directions. I have no less than 72 quilt blocks to square up to put into tops.

Great avatar, too.

Thanks Wasie. My problem was that I was trying to find the center on my happy blocks. I had used a 6" squaring ruler on some octagon blocks and of course they had a center point. So now I know how to work from the edge. LOL I am so embarrased! How hard was this one to figure out?? Oh well, somebody has to ask the easy questions. Might as well be me.

Now if they would make a ruler large enough for me to square up the whole quilt, I would be good to go!

i need to get me a bigger squared ruler...mine is only 6 1/2 but it appears as if a bigger one will do me more justice for more things!

I love my 12 1/2" square off ruler.. it helps with so much. I also have a couple of 6-1/2" ones that I use constantly also. I don't think we can have too many rulers and such to help us make our block piecing go smoother....

Have a gr8t day.

PatE

I just recently bought a 12-1/2" ruler and I love it. I had a 10-1/2" one but with so many quilts in progress with 12" blocks I was finding the smaller one kinda difficult. The larger one is great. Wish I would have gotten it first. I probably wouldn't have the smaller one!!

Jenell,

I have some happy blocks that I made for previous swaps. I will look at them at let you know what the "measurement" is for the seam. That's what you need to know for squaring it up not necessarily the center. (Or did you figure that out already?)

Wasie

That would be great! Then I wouldn't feel so bad about joining the next HB swap.

Jenell

Guess what! I fished out a happy block and lined it up and the lower left hand corner of the inner square lines up with the 6 1/4" lines of the Ruler! (Same as in my example block.) Didn't think to go get some HBs to square up! I just used what I am working on right now.

I have some HBs that I won last year that I haven't put together yet. Just haven't gotten "round tuit" yet. I was hoping to this summer so maybe yet!

I did the Happy Block swaps for all of 2007 and now just jump in every once in awhile. But every time I do them, I make a set of blocks for myself. That way I can make a quilt at the end of the year with all of the themes in it whether I win or not.

Wasie

I have 6 1/2", 9 1/2", 12 1/2" and 15" square rulers. I use them ALL the time. Sometimes, the 9 1/2" is the perfect size and it is easier for me to use...I have small hands! I don't know what I would do without my square rulers!
Jami