A rotary cutter in 2 sizes and cutting mat, a good pair of scissors is essential, a 6"x12", 6" x 24" ruler, plus a 6.5" square, 6" square and 4" square rulers to square up blocks, plus my 12.5" square up ruler for squaring up blocks which make my quilts easier to square up when I'm done; and of course 2 or 3 seam rippers because I always put mine down and then can't find them again, just like my small scissors for snipping threads.