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-   -   What is your "must have" quilting tool? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/what-your-must-have-quilting-tool-t261213.html)

chris_quilts 02-14-2015 05:46 PM

Chocolate!!!!
Seriously, good rotary cutter, extra blades, a good mat and a couple or so rulers. Just what everybody has already said here.
Several seam rippers, too. I have about 5 or 6 and I keep them in various locations so I can unsew in several areas not just in the sewing area.
Thread, various colors, and a brand (s) that both you and your machine like to use. Lots of bobbins, if at all possible. Good needles in correct sizes.

Onebyone 02-14-2015 07:22 PM

Other then my basic sewing tools ( my list of basics is very long) I have to have my Go and dies. If my Go broke tomorrow I'd have another one tomorrow night. I consider the SlideLock ruler a safety have to have, not a luxury item.

luvstoquilt 02-14-2015 08:35 PM

I love my battery powered seam ripper! It is my favorite "School Supply"

juliea9967 02-15-2015 04:21 AM

I love my accuquilt cutter, too. I have made many quilts that I would never have even tried without my accuquilt cutter. Who wants to cut 150 -200 or more 2 1/2" strips or squares with a rotary cutter? I think the strip cutters are the bread and butter of the cutter. You can cut binding, sashing, borders, squares, diamonds and probably more with the strip cutters. I also love the block dies, like the Hunter's Star, or Drunkard's Path, or Winding Ways blocks. Wouldn't even consider making those quilts without my GO cutter. It's so much easier than using templates or speciality rulers, and so much more accurate, too.

BettyGee 02-15-2015 09:05 AM

My 3 x 24 ruler, my Fiskar's rotary cutter and the champion of them all; ta da the seam ripper.

madamekelly 02-15-2015 09:23 AM

I thought about this, and I would say my " must have" quilting tools would be my graph paper and colored pencils, pens, and crayons. I like designing my own quilts. I have even copied others' antique quilts to paper and instructions, so they could remake them. It is a relaxing activity for me.

angelarose 02-15-2015 01:37 PM

I'm seriously attached to my red Fiskars rotary cutter, and my brown Clover seam ripper. I find an old flat-tipped eyebrow tweezer great for removing stitiches I've ripped out b/c I don't have the finger dexterity I used to have.
Other items I find so useful: a wrist pincushion that has a soft fabric velcro fastener/bracelet, not that awful hard plastic bracelet; the chalk marker pen with white chalk...NOT yellow chalk which is hard to brush out; fine Clover pins. I think Clover products made for sharpness are very sharp. And, finally, one of those sticky tape rollers, great for cleaning up.
I send you good wishes to find "favorites" as you go along your way in one of the best hobbies you can have. Blessings, Angela

moomos 02-15-2015 04:57 PM

Must haves
 

Originally Posted by k_jupiter (Post 7089163)
I have a pair of scissors. I trim threads with it. Fabric is always cut on a mat with a 6x24 ruler and a large angled rotary cutter. Saves on the wrist. i have no idea how you would cut straight lines without this set up.

As far as 'must have', groovy boards for my long arm. I now make them myself in my shop. I guess I have turned into a sophisticated quilter. tim in san jose

Hi, can you please tell me how you make your own groovey boards? I would love to know so maybe me and mom could make some. Or are you interested in making and selling some? IF you want to email you can [email protected]. Thank you

Deb watkins 02-15-2015 05:02 PM

My favorite tools are the 6 x 12 Olfa frosted ruler, new blades in the rotary cutter, my tucker trimmer, my 4" sharp scissors and a glass of wine. Oh, and my stiletto. tool, not heels.

GrammaNan 02-15-2015 05:32 PM

I don't think I need any of those rulers but I sure like the inner border on her quilt.

Notwendy 02-24-2015 01:08 PM

Above the basics of sewing machine, rulers & rotary cutters I find Elmer's washable glue and a heavy starch (both using a dry iron) to be essential. They really improved my cutting and piecing.

AngeliaNR 02-24-2015 06:35 PM

For me:

Basics (other than the ones you mentioned) rotary cutter, 24" x 36" mat, 6" x 24" ruler, and 12 1/2" square up ruler.

Nice to have: June Taylor shape cut ruler (great for cutting strips), wrist pincushion, and I love my Gizmo http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...13SFWVGD6STET3 (I do lots of chain piecing--really speeds up the cutting apart of pieces without the danger of accidentally cutting the pieces).

Luxuries: I am using my EQ7 program more than I thought I would (I like planning my own patterns with it) and good marking tools (I have Frixxon pens and chalk pencils).

Divokittysmom 02-24-2015 07:32 PM

Here is the opposite of what you are asking for! Just in case you would like to know, what NOT to buy,..read through this and discover what many of us have 'wasted our money' on.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...y-t202622.html

terri bb 03-05-2015 07:53 AM

Miss Eleanor is AMAZING! i have a couple of her cd's and want to get the Victory Quilts next. MSQC is equally as great! yes, you need all those little tools and gadgets, they really WILL come in handy! you never know what you might come up with once you look at a couple youtubes and get some omnigrids in your hand! you may even find an iron or two that suits your fancy! ;)

Originally Posted by Geri B (Post 7089240)
I think you are seriously hindering yourself by not buying a "few" templates and expanding your horizons......check MSQC the techniques along with the templates might interest you .....or Eleanor burns/quilt in a day........nothing extreme and "use only once" rulers, but things you will reach for regularly.....


tenngal 03-17-2015 10:10 AM

I agree with you on the green mats - much better!


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