7 Things Every Quilter Should Own
Whither you are a newbie sewer/quilter or a seasoned veteran, there are six must have tools that will make sewing any project go together smoothly.
- Good Quality Scissors : Good quality scissors don’t have to be expensive but they do need to be sharp and comfortable to grip. These will be the scissors that are used for fabric cutting only. People say never let the kids use your good scissors for their craft projects but I was just as guilty as the kids. Over the years I have learned to protect my fabric scissors from abuse and use them “for fabric/thread only”.
- Rotary Cutter and self-healing mat: I list these items together as a unit because you can’t use one without the other.The rotary cutter and mat literally changed the way quitters and crafters cut everything. The rotary cutter looks like a pizza cutter but will slice through six layers of fabric like butter. The rotary cutter should always be used with a mat specifically designed for that purpose. It is usually referred to as “self healing” because the rotary blade does not leave cutting marks or groves on its surface. The mat saves your table or counter top from scratches. The mat also helps keep the fabric from shifting when you cut.
- Acrylic Ruler: An acrylic ruler is used to measure the fabric pieces that are to be cut and assist in making perfectly straight cuts. These rulers come in a multitude of sizes. A 6″ x 24″ is a good standard size to start with. Look for a ruler that has 1/4″ incriments and a 45 and a 60 degree angle line clearly marked.
- Iron: Most quilting patterns call for seams to be pressed. Tradition says press seams to the dark. Modern tradition says to press your seams open. There is not right or wrong way the choice is yours. But, to have a good quality finish to your project you can’t avoid this step. I would look for an iron with a high heat cotton setting. The available choices are endless. Read the reviews and pick the iron that suits your needs and budget. Some quilters debate over the need for steam. I avoid steam and opt to use a product like fabric sizing or spray starch.
- Ironing Board or Pressing Station: Needless to say if you are pressing with an iron you will need a heat resistant spot to use it. When I am piecing blocks or small projects, I use a wool pressing mat(this is a luxury item) that I keep close to my machine. When I am piecing rows or larger projects, I use the ironing board. If you can only have one, the Ironing board is the best choice.
- Sewing Machine: If you are a hand piecer, you can ignore this suggestion. The machine you use for quilting does not have to be the top of the line model. For quilt piecing you just need a machine that sews a good straight stitch and has a good tension. A basic model can usually be purchased for less than $200. When I travel, I still use a machine that I purchased at a garage sale for $25.
- Cotton fabric and thread are a must! The best type of fabric for quilting is 100% cotton. Cotton fibers allow your machine to make a good lock stitch. These fibers also have a memory when pressed well to give you a a lovely, crisp seam. There are lots of opinions out there about the types of thread you should use and everybody has their own preference. When I am sewing on cotton, I like to use like fibers in my thread – so cotton on cotton. I use Aurifil 50wt in all my projects.
These are my suggestions for the top tools that a beginning quilter will need. The wonderful thing about quilting is that there are no right or wrong rules for picking your tools. I always try to buy the best tool, fabric, or thread that I can while staying within my budget. If you are searching for sewing tools at a great price, Missouri Star Quilt Company is the place to checkout. I would love to hear about the tools that are your “must haves”. Send me an email with your list or comment below.
