Really all I use the most often are a good rotary cutter, ruler, self-healing mat, iron. The ruler I use most often is my 6 x 24" ruler, and I love the bigger (60 mm) rotary cutter. I keep a supply of blades and replace the blade when it starts skipping - not worth the frustration of using a dull blade!
My favourite other things
- have a wonderful pressing board (see her tutorial here ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LGbXou_u4c )
- elmer's school glue (for basting bindings and tricky corners)
- walking foot for my sewing machine (dual feed - feeds top and bottom evenly)
- library card - visit your local library and go through all their quilting books for ideas, patterns, inspiration. The libraries can also get in books from other libraries in their system - love the library!
- guild membership - friendship, inspiration, ideas, workshops
- blogs, forums, youtube videos
- titanium sewing machine needles - last longer but I still change my needles every few projects (or when it starts making that popping sound which means it's not going through the fabric easily)
- design wall - lots of options here, from hanging a flannel-backed tablecloth to making your own from insulboards to this option (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-Ittsig9SY )
Welcome to the forum, and enjoy the wonderful world of quilting!