Okay, so you're ready to make a quilt!
...now what?
Quilting is a huge industry that comes with a TON of accessories. It can be really hard to navigate what is necessary in a sea of products designed to make quilting easier, more ergonomically comfortable (or sometimes just cuter!)
*ALWAYS check the craft section of your thrift stores or garage sales. This is where many of my quilting rulers and guides come from- especially the smaller ones that are specialized for diamonds, flowers etc.
The basic, necessary tools for getting started are:
- Self-healing mat. The larger ones are an investment, but the smaller ones are a pain in the butt once you start cutting strips. We recommend at least a 12x18 cutting mat to start with.
- Rotary cutter for fabric. These will last you a lifetime, as the blades are replaceable. There are budget options as well as upgraded ergonomic options.
- Quilter's rulers. Start with a 6.5" square, a 6 x 12" and one that is as long as your cutting mat. Keep in mind that you will not be able to cut a continuous strip in one cut if it is longer than the dimensions of your mat, so save the long rulers for your eventual size upgrade! If you are making a quilt that requires a shape other than squares or rectangles, you will need a specialty ruler for that shape, for example the diamonds in Tumbling Blocks.
- Thread scissors, especially if you intend to chain your pieces on your machine! Large sewing scissors can be really bulky to work with for small quilt squares.
- A decent iron, and a surface for ironing. No space for a board? Try a wool ironing mat.
- Thread. We recommend brands Gutermann, Aurifil, Mettler, Wonderfil, and Gunold.
- A basic sewing machine. If this is out of your budget right now, don't worry! You can get started with English Paper Piecing. Our current offering of quilt patterns are designed for use with a sewing machine, however.