What would you want to start your sewing/quilting supplies over?
 

A friend recently lost her belongings (at least it looks like almost all of them) in a house fire. I ran across a box in my room here with five seam rippers so took one out and had it in my purse for when I saw her again --I was at the quilt shop this evening and she popped in --- that seam ripper is number one in my effort to give her a new start at the numbing time she is going through. So my question is this, if you were to assemble a basic replacement tool and library for yourself or someone else, what items would you choose. I need some input here. Remember I have 4 generations of stash to sort through as well as my recent stuff. I need some ideas as to what is important and what is icing and what is food for the soul.

WilliP

Ruler and cutting mat. Rotary cutter. Thread selection. Fat quarters. Pattern books.

Which books? Just wondering --- I think the local library has their book sale going on tomorrow and I kknow there is a great pattern book selection . My friend does a lot of miniature work.

Yep. I agree.

The pattern books are completely up to you, though, as the internet has a lot of patterns. I agree with the other--it is totally what I have helped another lady get.

I'd add a magnetic pin cushion and some pins, to that list, however.

As well as above. Pins fabric and did she loose her sewing machine? Thread scissors iron. Wadding and fabric for a complete project just to give her something to do.

I would buy the best quality I could afford and perhaps have fewer items. Olfa cutting mats and rotary cutters for sure. I go through several scissors (they seem to disappear only to be discovered on my husband's desk) so I've gone to more is better in that category. Sewing machine needles. I'm not a fan of fat quarters, personally. In this case, I might clean out my fabric closet and ask her if she wanted to come over and "shop", the fabric she doesn't choose I would send to a charity. I think we all have fabric that says "What was I thinking?"

First I'd let her borrow a machine, if you have an extra. Though she probably know what she wants to get, it might help to let her sew on a loaner till insurance comes thru with a check.

I would buy credit for her at the local quilt store so she could choose.

You are certainly a good friend. I would start saving coupons for JAF for notions. It sounds like she could use everything. I would start with a mat and rotary cutter, some fabric and thread, the seam ripper is a good idea, but she needs to sew something before ripping!! Depending on what she lost, it sounds like she needs a lot of things. Do you belong to a guild? Maybe you could get a group of members together to help her. Good luck
Sue

My favorites are:

Clover thin quilting pins
Kai scissors and Kai rotary cutter
Fiskars cutting mat
Creative Grids ruler(s) 12" and 24"
Auriful thread, white and beige
Rowenta iron
homemade iron pad, 30" square

This is very kind of you to help someone in need. I would like to help donate, please pm me.

Rotary mat.
Clover red clips.
Magazine subscription.
12 in square ruler.

Wow, I agree with everything already written. Though not a magazine subscription [that's just me though.]

I'd make a quilted ruler organizer. The one I was given had a matching fabric piece at the top so I hang it on my cutting station. It holds a 24x6 ruler, and so many more. There are 3 pockets at the bottom the first is shortest and the other two stagger in height. That way I can easily access my regular, most used, rulers quickly and they don't get battered about.

I'm ready for my 3rd Shape Cut ruler in 20 years...its my go to tool...I could get more mileage out of this one but I dropped it and cracked it. I got my first shape cut off QVC before they were available in stores.

June Tailor's Shape Cut ruler. As far as books go, there are so many patterns available for free on the Internet, so I think she can get all the patterns she wants for free.Check out garage sales,thrift stores for used sewing machines. Good luck to her.

That is a TERRIFIC idea!

If you have excess, how about making those items available and let her select what she might want.

WilliP, I sent you a PM.
Rodney

Thanks for the ideas and comments everyone. The seam ripper was a friend to friend gesture --- we always seem to have left ours at home on one occasion or another and end up borrowing from each other --- the joke is I never pass up on purchasing another seam ripper, just in case someone needs one! LOL I needed some input on starting point to go to my storage units and go through some of my four generation collection and get together some basics for her. Someone has already said she will buy her a new machine. She is waiting to see if her treadle machine is going to be able to be saved. We are a small community here, but we help each other out. I will be in touch with anyone who has pm to me or has left a please contact comment. I know I am trying to come up with a list and this makes me want to get the family photos passed around even more than I have been doing. By the way, is anyone from Saskatchewan? Avis grew up on a farm there and I'd kind of like to find a few photos to download and eventually get printed and framed for her.

Check to see if there is a local guilt group; they may have some 'extra' items.

I am sure that everyone who knows Avis is helping out in one way or another. From the Fire Dept to the local "guilt" group --I know you mean quilt, but there are a few "guilty quilters" among us. LOL Anyway, my idea is to just go through and get a small beginning together for her that she can use now and later/or donate to charity of her choice after. Like I say I have 4 generations of collecting behind me. LOL I have an extra cutting mat and rotary cutter if she wants them. I'm sorry, she doesn't get my Gigher shears, but I do have some Fiskars to pass her way. I have a small pair of embroidery scissors and a ton of floss and a few hoops ---a gift certificate to the local shop should get her back in business on her embroidery that she does to relax. I have a selection of hand sewing needles and a tub of various scraps for her to sort through. Just small things to me, but I know how much "normal" helps get you through the rough times.

My heart goes out to Avis - and the wonderful people on the Quilting Board. I lost everything in Superstorm Sandy and wonderful people on QB as well as the Quiltsy group on Etsy came to my rescue. All of the ideas are wonderful ones. Batches of old quilting magazines and books were also much appreciated. For quite a few weeks (and months) my days were filled with gruesome recovery tasks that left me too drained to sew, but I was so grateful to be able to relax a bit in the evenings with some reading materials to take my mind off everything. Sending you a PM so I can help.

If possible I would like to donate too, PM me & I can see what extras I have to help out.
1 thing that I have which some may think is a luxury but I am so grateful to have, is a rotating cutting mat. When it comes to squaring up, it does make things sooooo much easier. Kai scissors are the BEST, IMHO. Please let me know if I can help.

I agree with all these, especially rotary cutter supplies. But if I only had "X" amount of money to spend, I'd pass in the books, as patterns are now easily found online, and replenish fabric.

"Like".

Buying fabric for someone else is like buying them a purse. Too personal., they need to pick it out.
so sorry to hear about the fire. Glad all are ok.

She would love to shop for her own stuff if. I was to assume. A "Christmas" experience.

sandy

Rotary cutter, mat, scissors, seam ripper, iron and small board, thread (black, white, grey, beige), needles and pins, and fabric. Last things: chocolate and more chocolate. This is my absolute "needs" list. Anything else, to me, is icing on the cupcake.

Good luck to your friend.


Anita

I haven't read through all these posts...don't need to... just wanted to say thank you to all of you who are close enough to help! I love quilting... but I LOVE quilters!!!

My favorite tool is the Fons and Porter 1/4" ruler for half square triangles. I gave my longer one to a neighbor for starting quilting and not that I regret doing that, but I sure would like to have a longer one. Another thing is Post it notes, tiny ones to pin onto the fabric after you have cut to mark the sizes of the squares , an orange stick for flattening the seams when you are sewing squares together, a marking pen (ink disappears) for diagonal cuts, little piddly tools that I put in my basket. Oh yah, neutral (ecru or beige) thread for sewing squares together, extra bobbins, I could go on forever. A needle threader, a leather thimble. That's it, my brain is strained. Big Storm a'comin' today. Had to go out early and get my good bad storm food. You know, Popcorn, strawberries, blueberries, peanut butter. No ice cream!!!!!! And for dinner tonight? Pork Chops, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. That's good bad storm weather food. Hunker down, Midwest, we are in for a doozie - St. Paul is going to get around 10" on top of the six we just got. Stay warm. Edie

As well as the gift certificate to the lqs get one for the local Joanns or Walmart or wherever she can get some of her supplies and save a little toward fabric etc. Please PM me; I'd like to help directly. I've accumulated lots of duplicates over the years and can't think of better place for them.
If there is an address where things can be sent, my guild has a central person who sends out cards for condolences, happy times, etc. When one of our members has a situation like this, we send what we call squishies - a fat quarter or something that can be easily mailed. When there are lots participating, it can mount up really fast. It does require someone willing to give a name and address where the items can be sent or her permission to send them wherever she can pick up mail. Joyce in DE

I have read many of the responses to this question and I agree with most. One additional thing that I find useful is access to the internet. Now, I know that is not tucked away in your stash but if you can offer her and hour or two a week to access other quilters online, it is a gift that will not cost you much.

I would give a gift card that can be used anywhere. I give the VISAs out for gifts. That way she can choose. If you belong to a guild everyone could make a donation and give it to her. Maybe donate a few scraps to help her get back on track. All the fabric shops have beginners quilt kits with cutting mats, rotary cutter, ruler and seam ripper. They all vary.

rotary cutter, cutting mat, different sizes of rulers and squares, batting, scissors

I think everything I would suggest has been covered - just wanted to add - she is a lucky lady to have a good friend like you! I am sure she will truly appreciate everything and anything.

A few years back we had sever flooding in our community. Several quilters lost their sewing rooms. So with our LQS we all got together and did a quilting shower for them. A very generous Sewing Machine Center donated sewing cabinets for each quilter then a tremendous amount of quilt related items were donated from books and templates to thread and fabric so each recipient wound up with a start to continue again. You might see if others would like to join you and do a shower of this person.

I agree that it looks like everything has been covered. A gift certificate to either your LQS, JoAnns, or Hancocks would be good, but you are providing the best thing which is support and friendship.

I wish her well.

I agree, save up those JAF coupons. Notions were just on sale last weekend. Wish you were in California so I could give you some of my excess quilting supplies. But it doesn't rain in California.

charm packs,fat quarters, mat,rotary cutter,pattern book

sissors, tables, if there is a IKEA near her, they have great prices and you can always check the return room for better deals.. I have 7tables from them and two fabric cabinets with glass sliding doors lots of other thingsas they are very cheap compared to other places and they hold up very well.. Bless her that has to be awful to lose everything.

What is listed above and for sure a 12 1/2 inch square up ruler. A 6 1/2 by 24 inch ruler is my go to ruler for cutting most everything and a 6 inch square one too. A water erase marker and a chalk rolling marker with yellow and blue chalk. I like to do paper piecing so an "add a quarter ruler" is wonderful.

I am sure all the basics would be appreciated, she will eventually replace her favorite extras. Thread and fabric are probably the most important