When you stop and think about the quilts that our GrandMother's made without them..then I would have to say no. I don't know why we all think that we have to quilt at the speed of light but we do have cool tools to make it happen. I love gadgets and rulers especially...but I am guilty of not using them like I should and they are NOT cheap. I am trying to make my way through them and either keep them or pass them on..BUT its not as easy a task as it sounds. Each one of them will make you a master quilter and there is a technique..it takes time to get involved with them..I know that the process will be worth it when I find the time to get around to it. =)