Patchwork Quilting PincushionsI need WHAT to get started Patchwork Quilting???

What are the essential, basic, cannot live without tools for patchwork quilting???

Face it, if we all lived in a perfect world we would have everything we want, when we want it.

But since we live in the REAL world lets be REALISTIC and see what you REALLY need…

  • First you are going to need fabric.  Please read my blog posts that goes more into detail on patchwork quilting fabric to see just WHAT fabric you NEED and how MUCH you need to BUY!
  • You will need some way of CUTTING your fabric.
    • Scissors:  if you have to buy a pair of scissors buy a pair of Gingher scissors.  Yes, they cost more, but you will have them for LIFE.  They are 2nd to none!
    • Rotary Cutter:  buy an Olfa rotary cutter when you can afford to buy it.  Buy the average, not mini, not huge one.  I will post an article on just that soon!
      • To use a rotary cutter you must have a rotary mat.  Otherwise you will ruin whatever you cut on and also dull the blade on the cutter.  Buy the 18″ x 24″ one first.  It is the most versatile of the bunch.  You can save some money if you buy them as a set with your cutter.  Again, I only recommend Olfa, I have tried many and do not like any as well as Olfa makes.
      • Rotary Cutting Ruler:  You are going to want a 6″ x 24″ one to begin with.  Make sure it is nice and thick because you will cut right up against it with your rotary cutter and you do NOT want it to jump to your hand.
  • Ruler:  You are going to want a good 2″ x 18″ see-thru ruler.  You can buy ones made for quilting, OR you can buy one for engineering.  Both have a grid overlaid on the ruler of 1/8″ squares.  You will use this ruler for many, many years.  Well you will if you get in the habit of NEVER using your rotary cutter against it!  You will surely slice off the side too easily!
  • Needles:  Buy good quality needles, both for hand sewing and your sewing machine.  They are cheap, don’t skimp here.
  • Thread:   Buy cotton or cotton wrapped polyester.  Do NOT buy all polyester; it is too stretchy and over time it will actually cut the threads of your fabric, NOT a good thing for a quilt!
  • Sewing Machine:  Okay, there are all sorts of sewing machines out there.  You will get as many answers as people you ask as to what brand you should buy.  While I am a devoted Pfaff fan I feel that YOU should try out a number of models and decide what is best for you… its a big investment and you want it to be the right purchase.
    • I like Pfaff because it is a great machine and it owns the rights to a built in even feed.  That means that when you sew, or quilt, long lines of sewing that both ends of the fabric will still match when you get to the end.  The company has been around for a long time and their reputation and service are great.
    • Bernina is another model you need to take a look at.  Many quilter love them.
    • Other quilters love Janome or Viking but I have no personal experience with those… YOU need to personally sew on one before buying.
    • I do not like Brother, Singer, which is not what they used to be or any sewing machine sold in Walmart or other stores like that.  You get what you pay for.  I would rather see one of my students buy a good, well serviced used machine before seeing them buy a cheap machine.
    • Check you city for a good sewing machine store… one that is dedicated to them.  These shops usually sell them along with sweepers but not a lot of other products because they specialize.  Specializing is good.  Get to know the store and the owner.  They usually have used machines coming and going all the time as customers trade them in.  They fully refurbish these machines before reselling them and offer a guarantee too.  Make sure to have ALL your facts BEFORE you commit to buy!  Some stores will throw in classes to help you get started, and others will allow you to take a machine home to test it out.  Find a store [ask your quilting friends for their opinions] and get to know them well… you will be glad you did.
  • Straight Pins:  Okay does this sound nit picky now?  Well you aren’t going to buy them very often so buy good ones!  If they aren’t sharp and thin you will be pushing them rather than sliding them through your fabric, not fun.  I prefer to use ones that have nice colored ball heads so they are easy to grab to pull out as I work.
  • Pin Cushion:  I prefer a nice magnetic one for ease in accessing my straight pins while working.
  • Safety Pins:  If you prefer to pin your quilt  for quilting rather than basting it with thread be VERY sure that you get good nickel plated safety pins that are GUARANTEED not to rust!  There is nothing worse than coming across a pin basted quilt that now has rusty pinpricks all over it every place a pin was left in the fabric too long and moisture oxidized the metal.
  • Thimble & “hoop” or such for hand quilting but those are something best discussed at length so watch for THAT article SOON!

A good quilt teacher:  the one thing I hope that each of you find is one thing I always hoped my students thought of me, a good teacher to get you off on the right path.  Most quilters that I find that are frustrated never really got the basic instruction that can be so crucial.  I am not saying you cannot do it on your own, I am just saying that  a good teacher can get you started right.  A six week course covering all the basics was always my one class I taught habitually… and loved doing… because I saw my students grow, and learn, and flourish!

Are there other tools?  Yes.  The right tools always make any “job” go easier and make a hobby more enjoyable.  But these are really the only ones you need.  Do you need a sewing machine?  No.  Hand piece if you cannot afford one.  See the posts regarding English paper piecing here on Patchwork Quilting… its the perfect time to start a quilt poolside!