The best thing you need is patience. Don't be too hard on yourself. We are all here to help and advise. Good luck on your journey.Originally Posted by karenpatrick
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
The best thing you need is patience. Don't be too hard on yourself. We are all here to help and advise. Good luck on your journey.
my altos cutting system is the best and really helps me cut straight
Warm Regards,
Sandra
Other than regular equipment for sewing (scissors, seam ripper, a really good needle threader, pins and needles, etc.) there are only a few essential things to get you going.
---A good rotary cutter and mat - Get the big mat because you'll regret getting a smaller one once you get started. With the big mat you can cut across a folded width of fabric (22") and still see the markings. The smaller ones will hide the lines and you won't be accurate. I like the 60mm cutter. It's smoother and seems to last longer than the 45mm one.
---2 rulers with those dots on the bottom that resist slipping - You'll need a long one to cut across the folded width of fabric (22"). I like my 5 x 36 one really well. And, you'll need a square one for squaring off corners of your quilt or cutting angles. I like the 12 1/2" one the best. Larger ones are SO BIG, and smaller ones don't let me cut my corner far enough for my liking. Get one that has marks along the 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" lines, not just the 1" lines. It should have diagonal lines for 45 degrees, 30 and 60 degree lines are a plus at times.
Now, there are lots of other things that make quilting easier or just a lot of fun.... and I have many of them, but those basic items will get you going and you can add more things as you need them and can afford them. Getting good equipment is a little costly but you'll save yourself time and trouble and won't need to replace it all quite as fast.
Good luck with your quilting..... find a good class to get you started or a friend that has been bitten by the quilting bug and you're off to a great passion, just like the rest of us.
nanna
Rotary cutters are a must. I prefer Fiskars Titanium Blade with comfort grip. The 45 is the most common size. You can cut about 6 layers of fabric with it. I don't like the "stick" type of cutter because sometimes my hands will tremor a bit and slip on the handle. When getting into rulers, stay with the same manufacturer. I prefer Omnigrid because they are a bit easier for me to read. The reason I say stay with the same manufacturer is because all markings may not match up between different brands. A "self healing" cutting mat is great. I would suggest one in a light color because all fabrics can be seen easily. You want a large mat. You don't want to have to be moving your fabric to get one complete cut and most fabric measures 22 inch folded.
Good neutral color thread for piecing. I prefer to use Maxi Lock light grey for my piecework. It is a thin thread and you don't get a lot of thickness at seam joins. If your machine can not hold a thread cone, you can place it in a jar behind your machine and thread as usual to use.
Good thread snips. I use Havels thread snips and love them. Good seam ripper. Once again I prefer the scalpel type made by Havels.
Quality sewing machine needles. I prefer to use Schmetz Quilting Needles in size 11.
The absolute greatest "tools" of all are quilting friends. Find a mentor who is willing to help and guide you. They are worth more than their weight in gold.
Crashnquilt
Wouldn't you like to live with my mind just for a moment? I wish you would, I think I need to get OUT OF IT!
When I started quilting I had a Olfa rotary cutter, self healing mat, Fiskars 6"x24" ruler and a cheapie seam ripper. I still have the same things 10 years later. Along the way I added a few rulers and a bigger mat and a healthy supply of Elmer's School glue and glue sticksfor basting. Yes, you need an iron as well.
Welcome to this great board. Have fun quilting!
a good mat, good rotary cutter, SEAM RIPPER (with a comfy handle and fine point), 5" x 24" ruler (my first had a lip on it that helped hold ruler in place). A good scissors and one of my newer favorites, a little nipper. The nipper is always open and it's great for snipping threads and cutting tiny amounts of fabric.
Bad Spellers of the World
U N T I E
How exciting to be starting to quilt! I have had the same 5" x 24" lipped ruler for more than 30 years and could not do without it. I use it for cutting across the width of fabrics and it also has angle markings on it so that I can cut bias binding strips. I have a ton of other rulers that I never use, so I would consider this ruler to be the one to have. I also couldn't do without my small, very sharp embroidery scissors that I use in tandem with my seam ripper. Have lately discovered basting spray and don't know how I've managed this long without it. The two last items that I consider to be important are a good rotary cutter that fits your hand comfortably and a large cutting mat that covers your table. With regard to the rotary cutter, I must have about 8 of them and there's really only one I use consistently - it's the small yellow Olfa. Welcome and have fun!!
A fabric stash is always missing that one fabric needed to finish the quilt on which you're working.
welcome to the board. i could not live without my 6.5x24" fluorescent ruler. of course, the self-closing rotary cutter and self-healing mat go along with that.
Nancy in western NY
before you speak THINK
T – is it True? H – is it Helpful? I – is it Inspiring? N – is it Necessary? K – is it Kind?
When I started, I got a June Taylor cut and press, a 6"x13" ruler, and a rotary cutter, in addition to standard sewing supplies. I still use all, and have added rulers and a large cutting mat.
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