| | | | | quilters who rip out stitches on a regular basis. |
| When I first started quilting I was just learning how to | | | | 4. Spring Loaded Scissors and Shears. These scissors |
| sew as well. It took a while to figure out which were | | | | and shears are spring loaded to prevent hand fatigue |
| the tools, also called notions, that I used the most. To | | | | while cutting repetitively. Quilting, and sewing for that |
| help you on your journey to becoming a quilter I have | | | | matter, involves a lot of cutting. I have a pair of blunt |
| created a list of the tools you will use the most: | | | | tipped, which work really well for cutting threads, and a |
| 1. Rotary Cutting Supplies. This includes a rotary cutter, | | | | pair of sharp tip, which I like to use for cutting |
| acrylic rulers, and a cutting mat. These tools are made | | | | appliqué pieces. I don't know many quilters who don't |
| for precise cutting. Quilter's worldwide wouldn't think of | | | | own a pair of these. Fiskers, in this instance, is my |
| starting a quilting project without them. You’ll find | | | | brand of choice. |
| that the more accurately you cut your quilt pieces, the | | | | 5. ¼ Inch Foot. A quarter inch foot for your sewing |
| more accurately your quilt top is sewn together. Olfa is | | | | machine will get you going toward an accurate ¼ |
| an excellent brand, and is the leader in the quilting | | | | inch seam allowance. Almost all quilt patterns instruct |
| community. | | | | you to use an accurate quarter inch. Many sewing |
| 2. A Decent Steam Iron. You can't start a quilting | | | | machines come with these feet. However, if you |
| project without one. Now, you can buy the really | | | | bought a simple hobby machine, you’ll most likely |
| expensive Rowenta professional iron, or, you can go | | | | need to purchase one. I would like to recommend a |
| to Walmart or Target and buy their $20 steam iron. | | | | brand, but in this case, there are so many brands for |
| Both will get the job done. I’ve learned from | | | | different types of machines that you’ll want to |
| experience that they both last about the same amount | | | | check with your local machine dealership to buy the |
| of time, will both do a decent job, but one is a lot less | | | | right one. Don’t worry, they aren’t expensive, |
| expensive to replace. I highly recommend using spring | | | | but they’re definitely necessary. You may even |
| water in your irons—tap water can lead to hard | | | | find them at your local quilt shop. |
| water stains on your quilt top, and most manufactures | | | | You’ll discover quilting can be an adventure. |
| say that you shouldn’t use distilled water. | | | | Anyone with the proper directions can create an |
| 3. A Good Seam Ripper. Most quilters have two or | | | | heirloom quilt that will stand the test of time. |
| three of them on hand at any given time. Dritz makes | | | | Fortunately, with proper instruction, quilting is as simple |
| a variety of excellent seam rippers. You’ll find they | | | | as following a proven set of steps. Take the first step |
| have everything from seam rippers with magnifying | | | | and learn how fun and easy creating heirloom |
| glasses to ergonomic seam rippers for those of us | | | | keepsakes can really be. |