I was thinking of taking advantage of some JoAnn's coupons - as far a quilting supplies.... I did buy some quilting pins - but that's all I have. I should get a rotary cutter? Please tell me what size/what brand/whatever else I should know about it! ;) Also, do I need special thread? I normally buy gutterman's all purpose - will that work ok?

rotary cutter 45 mm and one that fits your hand
ruler 6 X 24" is a good one to start out with
cutting mat 18 X 24 is a nice size
1/4" quilting foot
walking foot if you can swing it...they have generic ones reasonbly priced
basting spray
quilting pins
seam ripper
extra bobbins
12" X 12" square up ruler

I would add:

Good quality dressmaker shears (Gingher is nice)
Small applique type scissors with curved blades
Curved safety pins for basting - you need a ton of these
Long staple cotton thread for piecing

Naturalmama -

I agree with both amma's and CindyBee's lists. I might add good quality thread and also bobbin thread as well. But I would tell you that their lists are complete. That is what I started with. I add the thread only because my machine does not work with DualDuty. The thread frays and then breaks.

Extra bobbins!!
You can never have enough!!

I agree with Amma on the size of the cutting mat. Mine is smaller and I have unkind words to say to it frequently.

I actually have 3 cutting mats. Yup, 3 of them...all big ones.
I change them out frequently. I get tired of looking at the same one all the time. I got them all for 1/2 price at Joanns online

several seam rippers. They will become your best friends.
Good thread.

Ooooo, I need more than I thought!
I had heard of the walking foot, but not the quilting foot. I have so much to learn!

Thanks so much for the lists!! I will start working on them.

Don't forget batting. You can buy it by the yard at Joanns. I love the Warm and Natural for wallhangings, table runners, and for quilts that need a summer weight. If you want a bed quilt or lap quilt that is super warm, I'd recommend trying a different batting. Otherwise, this is a great deal with a coupon!

Use your coupon to buy rotary cutter replacement blades! Those little things are darn expensive but if you can get them on sale or with a coupon it really helps! It's good to always have extras, and keep one of the old packages so you have somewhere to put your used blades when you are done with them. Safety first. :wink:

If you can, have Joann's send you their coupons in your email box. I've discovered that I can print them off numerous times and use them, as long as I didn't try to use more than one at the same time. I've used two in one day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. (After I realized I needed more fabric :roll: )

You might also consider some of the quilting books they carry. They've got some pretty good books for techniques as well as ones that are just patterns.