Annaquilts

1.6x24 ruler, rotary cutter and mat (Friskars used to have a set)

2.basic sewing machine and a quarter inch foot, free
motion foot and walking foot are nice (or something to mark a quarter inch)

3.fabric top and back and batting

4. nice to have is basting spray or pins for basting the quilt; seam ripper, good scissors like Friskars

5. another nice one is quilting gloves or some cheap
gardening gloves from the 99cent store

Rhaorth

yard sales, thrift stores, closet, friends, etc for fabric. ($'s varied, but can be free if you raid your closet and ask your friends to donate)

scissors
thread
marking tool (seamstress pencil or whatever they are called)
ruler
sewing needle

I would say these are the very basics, when I made a quilt (the only one I ever made) years ago, that was all I had... (except I purchased the fabric)


now if you wish to be using more modern tools, I would suggest a good self healing cutting mat, scissors that you use only for cutting material, rotary cutter, thread, sewing needle, seam ripper, pins, safety pins, ruler (the bigger one, don't know the sizes)

as for cost, it depends where you get the stuff... I actually found a ruler at the thrift store (well mother in law found it hehe) for 1.00 on a 50% off day, so it was 50cents) it is a 6 by 12 or something like that.

it all depends on what you want to spend, and what kind of tools you want to use

my stuff was purchased for me, so I am not sure of the total

ps the quilt I made years ago was all done by hand... eventually I had to purchase the batting, backing, and a big hoop so I could quilt it... would I do it that way again... nope

Can't wait to get the boys' rag quilts done so I can work on a quilt top

Gilly

When I first started I had my self healing mat, a rotary cutter and a 12 by 12 ruler and that's all I needed-Of course scissors, pins and seam ripper I already had for sewing and mending. I did use some inexpensive fabric when learning and now just look for sale fabric at all the quilt websites, there's tons. And still but my batting with my Joann's coupon for batting. I now buy different types of rulers but don't have really to.

Plumtree

what everyone else has said pretty much sums it up. The only thing I will add is a TALL GLASS of your favorite happy hour drink as some times after spending time with your seam ripper you will need this item.

Happy Quilting

For fabric you could always raid your old clothes, sheets, kids clothes, garage sales, even friends have old sheets they dont' want. Keep it simple and everything will be beautiful. :-)

pllboyer

I agree with the basics being cutter, mat, scissors, ruler, and seam ripper. Seems like (especially if you are picky about lining seams up) the seam ripper is used a lot particularly at first. A recent find that makes ripping so much easier is a battery powered mustache trimmer (About $12 at Walmart). I don't mind ripping at all with this very handy tool to help.

stoppain

I started with a machine and one ruler and cheap fabric
than just bought other supplies a little at a time.
Of, course I have too much fabric now

rj.neihart

For many years I did not have a sewing machine. All of my quilting tops were by cutting out the design using a paper bag and pencil and ruler to draw the pattern I wanted, and hand sewed each piece for the design. I know, this sounds a bit old-fashioned, and I'm really not that old...but I loved seeing quilts and self-taught myself how to make my own. All of my quilting was by hand, no frame to quilt with, so I would lay my top, filling and backing onto the floor and sew large stitches to hold the layers together. I'd have to stretch areas as I hand quilted in my lap, but it all worked out great! As the years came my way, I was given a quilting frame from a great-grandmother and eventually purchased a sewing machine for the piecing tops. I still hand quilt with the same frame great grandmother provided me. A person can go to great expense to have all of the necessary tools, or make due with little items like thread,needle,material, and an imagination.

Pieces2

Quilting is like any other hobbie. It depends on how much 'you' want to put into it. Being cheap doesn't work with quilting. You need a good quality machine, good quality fabric and good quality thread. Basics like an iron, ironing board.
A rotary cutter, rulers, and a cutting matt.
Using JoAnns coupons to purchase rotary cutters, rulers, etc. can keep costs down.
Saving to purchase good quality items is better than buying cheap products, being unhappy and discouraged with the results and having to go out and buy better quality, costs more in the long run. Better to buy good quality to start.

NDQuilts

I do all my work by hand, so here is my estimate:

Fabric - $50 for crib $150 for queen
Batting $15-30
Thread - $3
Pattern from Internet/self drafted - 0
Scissors - $15
Thimble - $10
Cardstock/ mechanical pencil/ drafting rulers/ compass
Lessons on YouTube.

So $100-300.

Steady Stiching

As a new quilter I wasted a lot of money buying random fabric when I found big sales....really need to buy only blenders that way not prints. Much of my stash has focal fabrics...I think a lot of it will go into making little girl dresses...now all I need is a little girl in my life!!
Plan your projects and buy accordingly