For the first quilt I made I did not buy anything special. I was already a sewer so had all the usual sewing notions. I made a log cabin from used material that I cut into strips with a scissors. The only things I have bought since are a rotary cutter and cutting mat, 2 rulers (12.5x12.5 and 6x24), and just recently I bought a 1/4 inch foot. I have been quilting for 30 years with these supplies. I have replaced the cutting mat once - about 15 years ago. Oh, I also bought a hoop for hand quilting and hand quilting thread, but for piecing I just used ordinary sewing thread.