costumegirl

Quilting gadgets and tools have changed so much over the years. What might you recommend for the new decade of 2020 that would be useful to have? Some of us have received gift certificates or $ during the holidays and now since there are a few sales going on it might be the time to treat yourself and get something that will make your quilting life easier. Whether it's something that's been around for awhile or a new invention what do you have your eye on that you think would be helpful in creating our projects in 2020?

I received for Christmas a small ergonomic rotary cutter that fits nicely in my hand, is shaped to feel more comfortable and easier to hold. It's the 28mm Quick Change Olfa cutter that is curvy. The handle on my old one has a straight handle. The old one was fine to use but this one is so much easier for small pieces of fabric or paper piecing. My hands get stiff feeling using the straight handled one but this one is a breeze to use.

I will probably try to investigate the more ergonomic tools available and the things that I have my eye on have been around for awhile and have been recommended by others here before. I've been watching the sales and would like to get one of the woolen mats that have become so popular in a medium size and some of the mylar applique tools to do stems and leaves.

I do not have any affiliation with any brands or companies.
- I would like to know what many of you are thinking of getting for the new decade or what you might recommend that should be added to our supplies.

rryder

If you haven't yet tried ruler quilting, I'd suggest getting a ruler foot and a couple of simple rulers. Westalee makes a nice starter set that includes the ruler foot and a couple of useful rulers.

Janome and Bernina make ruler feet for their machines that have an easily adjustable thumb screw so you can raise and lower the foot without having to break out the screw driver.

I love my Sizzix Big Shot Pro die cutting machine- it can use any of the dies made by Accuquilt and others. I use it a lot for managing scraps.

Anti-glue needles for your machine are great if you're using either the sticky stabilizers or spray adhesives- really cuts down on thread shredding due to glue build up. I got my first batch from Organ a few years ago, but I think that Schmetz and Superior also make them now. If only someone would make some for long arm machines that would be wonderful.

Rob

tallchick

I find Quilters Select rulers and their cutting mats worth the investment, fabric no longer slides, rulers don’t slip and my cutting is far more accurate.

QuiltnNan

I second Quilters Select. I got my first about a year ago and they're the first ones I reach for.

The Quilted Cottage

Yes, the ergonomic rotary cutters are great. I've been using mine for many years but remember the fatigue from cutting when I used my straight handle cutter. And if you don't already have one, I would recommend a rotating cutting mat. They are so convenient, especially if you can't walk to all sides of your cutting table or just don't feel like walking around it to cut from another angle. Joann's rarely has them on sale so I got mine with a 50% coupon at Michael's. Love it!

There's a cutting device that uses old rotary blades that are then used to trim threads. I think it is purple in color. I am forgetting the name of it but will look for the company later when I get a chance. Or maybe someone else knows who makes it.
Looking forward to other ideas for new tools and gadgets. Anything that helps us quilt smarter, not harder.

quiltingshorttimer

Lots of fun, new notions out there, but I always want a new seam ripper each year (guess that means I make lots of mistakes!), new rotary cutter blades, some great snips(I leave a pair at the ironing board, at the sewing machine, at the long arm, at the cutting table) some new pins if I'm finding many that don't slide well anymore.

I also love my Accuquilt GoBig so would invest in a couple of new dies or cutting mats; like having a rotating small cutting mat to take to classes. I also like having a travel sewing kit--scissors,stiletto, thimbles, thread,pins, snip,pencil, etc to "grab & take" when I go to classes.

wesing

I probably sound like a broken record, but the Deb Tucker tools are a must-have in our sewing room. We have nearly all of them, and I love the accuracy I get in the units. It makes putting blocks together so much easier.

I’m also a fan of Martelli products.

RJLinkletter

I am loving my cricut maker but that is a big gadget to commit to

jmoore

I agree, I love the couple of rulers I have purchased and I am waiting for them to come out with a 12 1/2 inch square ruler.

AprilM

Like Rryder, i hope to work on my ruler quilting skills this year. When i first got my sitdown longarm i couldnt ever see myself wanting/needing to try ruler work, but after watching some online classes and buying a few basic rulers i definitely now see ruler work as a skill i need to develop! Like many other quilting items, rulers can be quite an investment but i tend to continue to purchase them on an “as needed” basis.

After quilting for 25+ years some stuff just plain wears out. Most of my rulers and cutting mats were purchased in the first few years and they are showing their age (like me!). With retirement on the horizon i am working on replacing some well worn items.

My cutting mats were getting pretty pathetic, so that was a priority. I have quite a few mats in various sizes and intended to replace them one at a time. but... i have been eyeing the Cutterpillar systems since they first came out! Well, there were some great pre-holiday sales online - and the 40% off from the manufacturer sorta kinda pushed me over the edge! Because the price was so much more reasonable, i made the “go big or go home” purchase of the Ultra (biggest they offer) - and me and my aging eyes are very happy with it!!! I also took advantage of the great sale by purchasing a replacement mat, glass overlay, and carrying bag!

Creative Grids rulers are my favorites (used Olfa for years). I am very curious to investigate the non- stick needles someone mentioned, as i use fusible batting almost exclusively. Even though i have a number of rotary cutters i would like to look into an ergonomic one as also mentioned by someone here.