Bubbie

COUPON, COUPON, COUPON!!!!! Can never say that too much.
I got into quilting after my first husband died (and money was tight, had a girl in high school too). Started off small used scissors (as I had for making garments), found I wanted and needed a rotary cutter (scissors work for small areas and little things too).
I went to Goodwill and found items that I could use and wanted for pennies. Also craigslist and garage sales, when they say sewing and quilting supplies.
The quilt board has items from other quilters for sale also.
If you have an idea of an item you want, think outside the box too (Home Depot, Lowe's, Harbor Fright, Tuesday Mornings, Walmart, Michael's). They all have items you can use for quilting, that are not labeled quilting (some times the quilting label cost more money).
Also go to a quilt guild meeting, your local guild will have people who know the area and what you can get and when.
Beware of buying items at a quilt show. Some times you can get GREAT deals, but you can also pay MORE for other items (we've all seen this).
Good luck and don't rush. Remember our mothers and grandmothers, didn't have all the stuff we have and they quilted just fine.

quilter1430

Irons are important to me. A big iron (obviously) but I use my little iron all of the time. So much easier on my shoulder than picking up a huge iron over and over again.

Also, buy quality fabric. You can find deals too ... check the clearance section.

One more thing ... I love Clover's serrated scissors. They grip the fabric better and they're not so gigantic.

http://www.amazon.com/SteamFast-SF-7...rds=small+iron

feffertim

can't live without my stiletto, have it by my side at all times, also clover wonder clips are important, I seldom use pins any more. Of course it goes without saying, good scissors, rotary cutter and mat are essential

gotta-sew

I totally love the needles (straight pins) I think they are from Clover, and I think they are called applique pins. They come in a little plastic container and the heads are yellow and blue and they look sorta like glass and you can iron over them. Also, microtex sewing machine needles size 11 or 12, these really do make a difference and DMC 100% cotton embroidery thread, 60 wt.. I have used all the ones suggested on this board, but this one is still my favorite. I did take extra to a quilt retreat this summer and I shared with the others, (yes, I was a thread pusher!). Everyone wanted more. Give it a try, you might have to order it on line.

KathyKat

I dont have many tools but 2 items I have that I love but aren't absolutely necessary is the Shape Cutter Ruler, it makes cutting strips of fabric so easy. Also I have the Olfa 12" square rotating cutting mat. It is great for squaring up blocks and cutting Blocks that need to be cut on a specfiic angle

ghostrider

I'm going to stick with the 'rules' of your request.
One item over $20: an acrylic extension table for your sewing machine (Sew Steady is a good brand) or a drop in cabinet if you can afford one
One item under $20: a small pair of sharp scissors (they do not have to be expensive, but they do have to be easy to pick up and slip on quickly for trimming threads and fabric corners while at your machine)

AllyStitches

Under $20 - Magnetic pin cushion. I love the ease of this. I can just drop the pins in the general direction as I pull them out, and the magnet pulls them right in. I also have one for my wrist, which I think is pretty essential.

Over $20-- I *really* like Creative Grids rulers. They are textured on the back so that they don't slip on the fabric as you're cutting. I wasn't sure if I would like that, but WOW. They are fabulous!

Those are my two favorite tools as of this moment. :-) I also like Clover chalk wheels, and as everyone has said, a good cutting mat and rotary cutter.

MadQuilter

A good and sharp seam ripper and a set of squaring rulers. (I got mine with the 50% off coupon at Joann) 6 1/2" - 9 1/2" - 12 1/2" are great sizes. I also have the 15" square but find it easier to use rulers closer to the block size.

Recently I bought the wonder clips (both small and large) which are great for binding.

Lovequilting22

I'm a newbie so for me, a seam ripper is my item under $20. . The item over $20 is a self healing mat (but the mat is no good without the good rotary cutter and a 6x24 ruler), jus saying.....so even though it's three items over $20, you can't have one without the other! LOL. Also coupons rock!!! They make notions and tools more affordable. Sign up for email at JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby. I used their coupons to purchase my rotary cutter and ruler at JoAnn's and both were originally over $20, but with the coupons, they were both under $20. And while the mat was still over $20, it was 60% off so I felt like a winner that day! Good luck! I agree with your mom that Rome wasn't built in a day, but in no time, you will have what you need.

icul8rg8r

I'm a fairly new quilter and am so glad I researched and asked for suggestions before buying - just like you are! Here's a list of my favorite items I use for almost every project and cannot (or rather would prefer not to) live without:

1. Olfa 24x36 Cutting Mat (self healing) and 12" Rotating Cutting Mat (for squaring up)
2. Creative Grids Rulers (6x24 and 2 1/2"x12 1/2" to start with, but I now have several!) They truly are the best.
3. June Taylor Shape Cut PLUS slotted ruler (to cut long strips/boarders/binding accurately)
4. Rotary Cutter and extra blades (I've tried several brands but prefer Martelli due to my arthritis)
5. Sew Steady acrylic sewing table custom made for my sewing machine
6. Seam ripper (i like Seam Fix brand with rubber cap head), and stilleto and thread snips - always at my machine!
7. "Binding Tool" from Missouri Star Quilt Company (my most recent find - love it - no longer hate binding!)
8. 1/4" Quilting Presser Foot with guide (that I can use with my built-in walking foot - I have a Pfaff)
9. Iron (invested in the Olisio - love it - great for those with arthritis) and Best Press (instead of starch - love it).
10. Thread! Tried many different brands - your machine will let you know if it likes it or not! My favorite is Masterpiece by Superior (but can be expensive, so I use this for my nicer quilts when perfection is necessary). Otherwise my thread of choice is Connecting Threads - stock up when it goes on sale. You will want white, cream, a khaki color, gray, and black - I use those colors most. You'll want to make sure to use the right size machine needle and tension - Superior's web site has a great tutorial on everything thread related. Superior needles are my favorite.
11. Finally, I love using Clover clips rather than pins - I have both the small red ones and the green jumbo, but use the red ones most often. Oh - and basting spray. Together these make "sandwiching" quilts so much easier.

I'm starting to invest in Ginger brand rulers as they go on sale; I've been cutting from patterns and scissors work better than rotary cutters.

If you'll be toting your machine to classes, you'll want a nice rolling bag for your sewing machine - I invested in a "Tutto" brand rolling case - easy on my back/arthritis. I also bought a black 12 1/2" Project Case made by OmniGrid to use for classes. Keeps my blocks and class tools neatly stored and readily accessible.