MFord

Creative Grids for me, too! And it may be imagination, but I really think the titanium-edged rotary blades last longer. They are by Fiskars, I think.

sushi

A good "how to" book or two might also help you. I re-started with the Quilters Academy series but then found it was too doctrinaire for me. Perhaps others on this board can suggest other helpful books?

I welcome you back to the quilting world and wish you all the best!

MadQuilter

I like the Ergonomic cutter by Olfa. It retracts the blade when you let go of the handle. The other ones leave the blade exposed and you have to remember to push it back. Easy to get yourself cut.

My favorite rulers are the Olfa rulers with the yellow and black lines. I have the square set from Joanne. Bought it with a 50% coupon. I also like some rectangular rulers as well.

Recently I bought a magnetic pin cushion with a cover. That way I can put the cover on and take it with me to classes. The pins I like the most are the long, thin, glass-head ones.

For my machine, I got a bendable light to attach to the side. That really helps with visibility at the needle.

While I don't necessarily believe in one-trick pony rulers, I do use the Easy Angle and Companion Angle ruler a lot and I got the Tri-rec ruler too.

Murphy224

Another fan of Creative Grids. I started with a 6 x 24, easy to cut lengths of fabric, a 12 1/2 square, and a 6 x 12 1/2. I wouldn't buy a specialty ruler, until I had a need for it to make a specific pattern. Amazon also sells Creative Grids, if you can't find in your LQS.
I wish I had not bought so much stuff and never used it......that I had bought only when I was ready to use. sigh!!! would have so much more free space in sewing room.

Shorebird

Find a LQS that sells Floriana Quilters Select rulers...........They absolutely DO NOT SLIP!! (watch the YouTube video featuring Alex Anderson and the Quilters Select rulers, mats and rotary cutter).

Grinch

Welcome, Maggie! I agree with one type of ruler and the JoAnn coupons. If you happen to be an educator, you can also get a discount at JoAnns.

bearisgray

You might also check Walmart for sewing tools. Also their online "catalog" - some of their prices for things like rotary cutters are less at their regular prices than atJAF with a coupon.

salederer

I agree with" orangeroom", but I would add a 6"by 12" ruler also.

Sewnoma

Another vote for Creative Grids here! I'm slowly replacing most of my other rulers with CG, for me they are the easiest to read and I love that they don't slide. They're more pricey than a lot of my prior ruler purchases, but it's worth it to me to have tools that work best for me.

My favorite rotary cutter is my 60mm Olfa with the quick-change for the blade. I also have the 45mm style where it closes the blade when you let go, but I hate changing blades on that one because the little springy washer thing always tries to escape, and then I have trouble remembering which direction it goes!

Sew Freak

The following are must haves IMO....

www.quiltersslidelock.com MPO(my personal opinion) I think this is the best quilting cutter tool!!! I purchased their package of three….and absolutely no regrets! pricey but in the long run I would have saved money had I not purchased the 4 or 5 other rulers I no longer use but keep as...who knows when I will find them handy again.

I have a rotating mat…don’t a l w a y s use it but it comes in handy for me.

EZ Snip Curved Embroidery Scissors (spring action scissors)…I personally feel these are a must and much better than the regular common snips; they are very light and very sharp.

45 and 60 mm rotary cutters but there are others that are ergonomic that interest me and if I didn’t have about 7 or 8 different rotary cutters as it is I would have given those a try; and an 18mm if you sew clothes – they cut apart the pattern pieces very easily.
These are just my fav's.

Good luck in finding the right tools for you!