| Let us begin by gathering only the most essential of | | | | they can use them for cutting paper, hair, food, foam, |
| supplies in order to embark on our quilting journey. | | | | etc.) Miscellaneous tools that will also be needed are |
| After all, before you invest hundreds or even | | | | straight pins and a curved hand needle. |
| thousands of dollars in supplies and tools for this craft, | | | | Now you will need to select some fabric and bonded |
| you will want to know that you actually enjoy quilting | | | | batting. For your first project, we will keep this VERY |
| before you spend a lot of money. | | | | easy. Select two-yes, just two-100% cotton fabrics |
| First of all, you will need a sewing machine. If you do | | | | that you like. For example, we chose an embroidered |
| not already have one, acquiring one may seem like an | | | | denim and a pre-quilted fabric in a coordinating color. |
| intimidating task. Do not feel as if you must purchase a | | | | You may even consider choosing a solid and a print |
| new, top-of-the-line sewing machine. Do not even feel | | | | that coordinate with your home decor. When you |
| as if you much purchase a new one. There are | | | | choose your fabric, make sure that you have |
| perfectly good used ones that are waiting for new | | | | coordinating thread and a coordinating embroidery |
| owners. | | | | floss as well. For this first quilt, you will only need 1.5 |
| A friend of ours recently bought a 60s-era sewing | | | | yards of each fabric. For the batting, you will also need |
| machine for $5 at a yard sale; it works absolutely | | | | only 1.5 yards, and it must be bonded. You can either |
| wonderfully. Generally speaking, sewing machines that | | | | buy it by-the-yard, or there is packaged batting that is |
| have all metal working parts and gears are among the | | | | 45 inches x 60 inches. This size will work if you do not |
| more reliable machines. Also, these types of machines | | | | have two pieces of fabric wider than 45 inches. If |
| can be fixed, should something go wrong. (The | | | | even one of your pieces of fabric is the standard 44 |
| cheaper machines are not always fixable.) If | | | | 45 inches, this prepackaged batting will work for you. |
| purchased new, these types of machines, on the low | | | | I'd recommend 100% polyester, or a polyester/cotton |
| end, typically start at $200-$300. I will not even begin to | | | | blend, in a low or medium loft. As you become more |
| discuss with you the various brands, models, etc. That | | | | accomplished, you will develop a feel for what you |
| is a blog topic all its own. I will, however, suggest a | | | | prefer in batting. |
| walking foot or even feed foot, for your machine. It will | | | | Before you start, make sure you wash your fabric. |
| be next to impossible to sew through all layers, without | | | | You need to know before you begin to sew if your |
| misfeeding your fabric, without a walking foot. There | | | | fabric will shrink or bleed. (Hint: If you cut the edges |
| are tutorials on the Internet for determining what type | | | | with pinking shears, your fabric will not fray in the |
| of shank you have (low, high, slanted), and what type | | | | wash. Don't worry about the selvage edge; it will not |
| of walking foot you will need. Depending on your | | | | fray.) Remove the fabric from the dryer as soon as |
| machine, you may need to purchase a foot specifically | | | | possible and iron it. Lay your fabric flat, one piece at a |
| for your brand of machine. | | | | time, and square up your fabric. There are a number |
| Second, you will need various smaller tools. Make sure | | | | of tutorials online which will give you some assistance |
| you have a good pair of scissors, a rotary cutter, a | | | | with this procedure. Admittedly, it is not of the utmost |
| rotary cutting mat, and a rotary cutting ruler. Some | | | | importance for this project that you square up your |
| sewing or quilting stores sell these items (minus the | | | | fabric, but it is a process which you will definitely be |
| scissors) as a package. These items, once you | | | | using as you become a more accomplished quilter. |
| acquire them, should only be used for sewing and | | | | This tutorial is continued in the second part of this |
| quilting. (Hide them from your family; they will think that | | | | two-part article. |