Must haves?
 

I was just trying to think what I want for Christmas. Can you all tell me tools you can't live without and where they can be found. Maybe what there for. Thank you. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

Big Look http://www.thebiglook.co/
Accuquilt Go https://www.accuquilt.com/

The other tools are basic notions like rulers, seam rippers, scissors, etc. You can find those at any quilt shop or fabric/craft store.

Try using the search function with various combinations of words for your question because we have talked about
favorite notions and thing we didn't think we're worth the money. I'm using an iphone but if I were on the computer I would do it for you.

Rotary cutter and mat, any fabric store or big box store w/ a sewing section.

12.5 inch and 6.5 inch square up ruler (used to true your blocks to size and square)

and these kind of scissors, I switched to them over 20 years ago and won't use any other kind now, they are soooo comfortable!!! http://www.walmart.com/ip/12335950?w...157033&veh=sem

I just have the basics. I remember the time before rotary cutters and mats so I am grateful to have them. How about asking for a quilting shopping day where whoever give you the gift will help you with selecting fabrics and treat you to lunch. That sounds so much fun.

I like ManiacQuilter's idea. Or a ShapeCut. I cannot cut the right size to save my life & the ShapeCut ruler has really helped to get even cuts that are on-grain every time. The other thing I have that everyone always asks about when I go to classes/workshops is my IdeaWorks travel light. It is battery powered & comes with a charging cord to connect to a computer, but I just grab the wall plug for my iPhone & it connects to the wall and gets even brighter. Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Super-Bright-P...deaworks+light

As far as anything else, it really depends what kind of quilts you like to make. I could suggest some other gadgets, but they mostly focus around my love of applique.

You need a good light source. I have an Ott Light lamp that I can move to have over my sewing machine and if I am doing any hand work. My bff gave me a little bendable lamp to put on the left side of my sewing machine so I can really see what I am doing. This is so important to make sure you are feeding the fabric under the presser foot correctly. Joann's often has the Ott lights on sale or use a coupon.

I just recently bought myself a Bendable Bright Light (found best price on Amazon) and now I can't imagine sewing without it! My eyes seem to need more light as I get older and this is perfect since you mount it on the machine and aim it where you need it. My other recently acquired item that I now can't live without is a Purple Thang.

A lot depends on what you already have and what your budget is. If you already have a good machine, rotary cutter, mat, and some good rulers then I would suggest considering an Accuquilt Go! Big . This is an electric die cutting machine that accurately cuts many different shapes for you. Check Youtube for video demo's of what the Accuquilt Go! machines can do for you.

I'm finding that I want a larger cutting mat than the basic 18x24 that I've had forever.
I'm also wanting a larger/better design wall than the flannel side of a flannel-backed tablecloth that I'm currently using. Thinking of getting 2 yards of a neutral color fleece.
Other than those two items, I prefer to keep my tools fairly basic and not burden myself with tons of "gadgets". Note - I do find certain templates very helpful (square, hex and diamond come to mind).

A safe bet is a package of new blades for the rotary cutter, sewing machine needles, "flower" pins (those long quilt-holding pins with flat heads), and an inspiring quilt calendar that comes with patterns for the pictured quilts. Put those under my tree, and you can take me to lunch, too! ;)

A rotary mat comes in handy.

We don't know your budget or what you already own. So i will take a stab at this. If you don't have a great pair of scissors....research them. I love my Ginghers and my specialty Havels. The higher end Fiskars are nice too. Surely you have a "wish list" already in your head. I always do!


My list of favs that I already own:
3 Grabbit magnetic pin holders
SideWinder bobbin winder ( love mine)
great scissors
multiple seam rippers
plenty of thread
bolts of fusible fleece for my purse making and table runner projects
Soft & Stable for purses
lots of good quality straight pins
bolts backings and fusibles
a great sewing machine
More patterns on my bucket list than the time to get them done!


Sandy

The best tool I have bought in quite awhile is a electric seam ripper. I love that tool. I don't have to rip out too much but everyone has to sometime or another. Handy little gadget! Also I love my side winder. That is another tool I don't want to be without

Dreaming, I have a few items on my Christmas list as well. EQ7, stripology ruler and book and maybe a few other books. I have already given myself a few gift, including a Fons and Porter design wall, which I admit is not on the wall yet, and a Gidget II sewing table to bring my machine to a good height. I do love the table! Mine was not on sale but I remember last year Leah Day ran a sale at one time. May your wishes come true!

I bought 2 flannel backed tablecloths. One to use as is and then I sewed two together. Ta-Da!!

The Better Homes and Gardens beginning quilting books shows photos of basic tools. That might help.

I've been quilting for 30 years and bought an AccuQuilt Studio this past summer. I honestly don't know how I quilter all these years without it. I can cutter an entire quilt out in under an hour.

I bought myself an led light for featherweight. great! you wouldn't believe how much brighter it is. im sure they have led's for other machines. $25 well spent

Good rulers

Ott light, good sewing chair, plenty of rotary cutting blades, the Big Look (so I can thread the needle and it forces me to sit straighter), Santa bought me a Accuquilt Go Big (but hide it ;)but think it's going to improve my cutting precision, new ironing board cover, Tri-Recs ruler (one of the few specialty rulers that I've used often), lot of the big "Ziploc" bags that you find at Dollar Tree to put projects in progress in,a Dr. Sholl's or similar heated,vibrating chair pad for that ergonomically correct chair.

Rotary cutter blades, stitch regulator for my Juki, June Taylor strip cutter, accu-cut go. I am astounded my list is so short:)

Well I have just told Santa that I must have a bobbin side winder and he said that he will see what he can do. To save him the hassle of digging deep into his sack I have just purchased one on-line :D so that it will be sure to be delivered on time.

Really not sure if it is a "must -have" but it will stop the frustration of having to unwind the machine to wind a bobbin.

I vote for the accuquilt. I have one and use it a lot. But this year my eye was on one of those Oliso irons that you see Jenny on MSCQ tutes. My friend who knows everything says NO. I am up in the air.

Just made a discovery. If you iron the heat and bond to a 10 inch layer cake batik after you cut off the 1 1/2 inch side, then you fold in half like the tute says, and place it on the butterfly accuquilt, but not the body because you want the body of the butterfly to be brown and not colored....then you can get a half hexie out of the scrap. If you don't understand, then private mail me and I'll explain again.

I have these and when someone used my first pay of these and knick was put in the middle of the blade I did not hesitate and went right out and got another pair. I still have the other pair and use as nippers. I have the razor edge. They never make it out of the sewing room.

How about a housekeeper for a day so you won't feel guilty about spending time in your sewing room?

Thanks for the heads up on these scissors. Sounds like the solution to problems I have with scissors.

I just need more breathing room/downsizing. Only thing I don't have is a long arm and not a must have for me. That's ok. My 401 does well for no more than I do. Would love to have couple tall cabinets to put my stash in an on the other side of the room.

I love the June Taylor 1/2 and 7/8 inch rulers where you insert your rotary cutter and cut. I love them.

I love the Bohim needle threader that someone recommended about a month ago. It's sold at Amazon for about $16 and threads any sized of needle so easily and automatically that it makes my head swim just watching it go.

I love my rotary cutter blade sharpener even though I did lose a part of it recently :(

I recently bought the "Guidelines" ruler system and use it all the time. Yes it's a bit pricey but it really holds the fabric without me having to crawl my hand on the ruler. I adjust, align and cut. It's that easy! And the Bloc-Loc ruler for squaring up my half square triangles. I do love my side winder too. I hope you get everything on your wish list!