m4yb3itsm3

Hello everyone,

I'm a soon to be quilter - that is, I'm gathering the right tools, fabric and basic pattern to get started. Since I'm living in India, it's been a bit more complicated than expected. I'm going back to North America and I plan to order everything I'll need and bring it back with me.

I have two questions for you:

1) I bought light cotton fabric, figuring (aka hoping) that I could somehow line it. It's a bit too transparent and I don't think it'll turn out nicely once it's assembled with the rest of the project. Can I line it with something? I thought there might be a brand or type of very light fusible material just for that. Do you have suggestions?

2) Here's my list, off the top of my head:

• cutting mat
• cutter
• 6x24 non-slip ruler
• cotton and polyester thread (the debate doesn't seem settled yet, so I was going to try both. Opting for Gutterman)
• Stiffener or starch
• a small roll of heat n' bond fusible or some kind of fusible to have fun with
• shout colour catcher
• quarter inch foot
• batting (trying two brands, and buying king sizes so I can cut them up and use them in many small projects)

I have a sewing machine, good pair of scissors, basic pins and iron already. I was going to use my standard needles and small metal pins... There are plenty of interesting fabrics in India!

I look forward to your suggestion, as this is my only trip this year and I would rather be over-prepared than have to wait until next summer...

Thanks!

Prism99

Did you wash the light cotton fabric? With many fabrics, that will tighten up the weave enough so that you do not have to line it. Especially for a beginning quilter, I would recommend against using this fabric if you need to line it. You could probably use it with a fusible interfacing for a wallhanging; the problem with fusibles is that they will not necessarily stand up to washing, as is needed for bed quilts.

As for your list, I think you should get more rulers. Just to square up fabric for straight cuts, you benefit a lot from two rulers. Plus there are lots of very good specialty rulers that can make triangles and other shapes much easier to cut and piece. (I am thinking especially of the EZ triangle rulers.) If at all possible, keep all straight rulers the same brand so they have the same line marking widths, etc. (This is not as important for specialty rulers.) I would also recommend getting a June Tailor Shape Cut mat for cutting strips efficiently. Many wonderful, easy quilt patterns use strips.

For thread, I would recommend getting a cone of Aurifil 50wt 2-ply. This is one of the best threads for both piecing and quilting on a domestic machine, it is fine so that the bobbin holds more of it (requiring fewer bobbin changes as you sew), and it creates very little lint. Alternatively, buy a variety of spools of Aurifil (orange spool is 50wt 2-ply) so you have a variety of colors.

I'm not sure what kind of starch you would want to bring back. Why not save some weight and volume by making up your own starch in India? It can be made from corn starch (the regular white powder used in cooking), potato starch, rice starch, etc. There are recipes online.

With the savings in weight and volume made by eliminating starch, I would load up on a variety of fusibles (especially Steam-a-Seam lite and Misty Fuse).

Also, if you cannot find them in India, buy a roll of Reynolds freezer paper and a couple of rolls of parchment paper (very inexpensive at Walmart). Both have lots of uses in quilting and can be hard to find in other countries.

Do you use washing machines there? If so, and if you can transport a liquid, I would recommend getting Synthrapol instead of the color catchers. You might also want to get Retayne.

What battings are you considering? And are you planning to make wall hangings or bed quilts or both?

Edit: I would also add, especially if you decide to go the cone thread route, that the new thread stand from Superior Threads comes in really handy when you have thread problems. I love mine.

Also, regarding thread, I would not rule out polyester -- especially for quilting. I love Glide for quilting (available online).

Weezy Rider

If it is see through, you can do shadow applique. Put the applique right side on the wrong side of the fabric.

momto5

Hi, and welcome to the Board!
You may want to consider using an internet site like Fabric.com, Connecting Threads, or Keepsake Quilting for some of your needs. I don't know what the cost to ship to India is but SURELY some company out there will do it for not a whole lot. Some of the companies even have international shipping specials, so look for those when you shop.
Another consideration for the light-weight material you have is to use it as a very light batting, for like a summer quilt...that way, you can still use it but don't have to get involved with backing it or lining it.
At any rate, happy quilting and good luck! Welcome to our world!!!

cherisews

I agree with Prism, you need more than the one ruler you listed. It is important to square up your blocks as you make them. Get as many different sizes of square rulers you can find, all made by the same company.

Don't forget to buy a lot of blade refills for your rotary cutter.

Seam ripper. Unfortunately, we all need this tool.

You said you have scissors. Large or small? You really need both sizes.

Quilting safety pins for pinning the quilt sandwich.

I also think you should get a variety of fusibles.

Have fun on your shopping trip and good luck!!

m4yb3itsm3

Hi Prism!

I haven't washed the fabric yet as I didn't have time to sew the seams. I'll give that a try first!

As for the other rulers, I saw both sets of triangles (no brand name) and a single EZ triangle. Best to go with the set, or its easy enough to work with just one template?

I'm thinking of making bed quilts and maybe a table runner - no wall hangings. What battings do you suggest? I hadn't picked a specific brand, but I was thinking of polyester. I saw a brand called Dream something and Mountain Mist online.

I should be able to bring back some liquids, and I'll definitely make my own starch and use my suitcase space wisely.

Finally, for the cone thread, I have a little Singer 4166. I guess my first question is - will I be able to assemble a quilt on this, or will I have to invest in something bigger? At worst, I'll plan smaller projects until I buy something else. Second - do you mean I could consider buying a free standing cone thread?

Thanks for all the info!
M.

m4yb3itsm3

Hi Momto5 -

This may be a silly question, but how would light summer batting be different than thick batting in this case?

If I iron my seams on the dark side of the fabric or open, plus the batting, I might be ok?

Who knows, maybe a good round in the washing machine will help

Thanks for the website suggestions!

m4yb3itsm3

And a few of you mentioned I need more fusible... I was under the impression it's used for applique, but are there other common uses?

bearisgray

more seam rippers!
Something to mark with - there are some nice pencils available. I am anti-ink (I don't care if it's supposed to wash out - I don't trust any of them)
A long tape measure or carpenter's tape measure (they are metal) - nice for measuring longer lengths.

Some hand-sewing needles. I like the John James brand. A thimble. If you hand sew the binding down. A needle threader.

pocoellie

You've gotten some good advice, I don't have a lot to add, but I would get another machine, and not a new Singer, an old one yes, Brother and Janome have a good reputation, even for the low end machines. As for seam rippers, I haven't used one in years, ever since I found these little snips(http://www.123snip.com/Nippers.htm), I love #6204, they have excellent service and great prices.