BellaBoo

Really don't buy a small mat. Buy the biggest you can. You will never regret it. A big mat, a 45mm rotary cutter, a 6 1/2" x 24" ruler, glass head pins, several pair of good scissors, several seam rippers, spools of thread and working machine and you can make a masterpiece.

Valerie Scherr

Check if you machine has the 1/4inch seam foot if not that might be something to look into..it is very important to get that 1/4 seam I learn the hard way ...my machine didn't have one ..but now I have a quilting Janome and love it.

carolaug

Letty you are right...I have 3 cutting mats...each time one bigger...wish I would have bought the biggest one first and I would not need the others. The mats fit nicely under the couch.

carolaug

Leah Day has some great tips on what to get. she is wonderful!!! I learnt a ton from her! http://www.daystyledesigns.com/cuttingtools.htm

wilburness

I have just read thru 5 pages of helpful advice from fellow quilters. You are all amazing with help. I just want to get my 2cents in. get a good pair of small thread scissors. This is something you can get down the road, but a big plus. Mine are spring loaded that stay open but does have a lock on them when traveling.

And signing up at Joanns and Hannocks for sales and coupons is big. You will save lots of money that way. I keep a running list of things I need and then get them on sale. For Christmas and my birthday....I always ask for gift cards from here or local fabric shops.

I too am a newbie to quilting and just love all these fellow quilters and their advice.
This board is adicting.

captlynhall

Another tip. Use a label maker to mark your name on all your stuff. Cutters, mats, scissors, machines, etc. can tend to all look alike when you get a bunch together. A regular #2 or mechanical pencil for marking. Use good quilters pins. Watch that you have your electrical connection and foot control when you pack your machine. Zip lock bags to hold pre-cut pieces together are a real help. And remember to have fun. I so enjoyed the quilt class I took. We all learned from each other.

ocydroma

I have signed up for a jelly roll class and also a beginner's quilting class which is 4 hours once a week for 4 weeks.

BellaBoo

Don't ignore the new rulers and tools. They are not necessary but you need some spice along with the salt.

ocydroma

Thanks for all the replies. I have what most people recommend. I love this board. Every one seems so helpful and supportive! The classes have a max of 8 people in them which sounds like a good number. I also signed up for a Jodi Barrows Trunk show on the 24th.

nellie

when you start cutting your fabrics ,tie a small strip of your fabric around your scissors handle so you,ll know those are your pair to keep track of them