So here I have a friend that want to learn to quilt. I think many do but they feel intimidated by us old-time quitters to ask. So I am going to show you little things to get you going. There is nothing that I love more that to be able to pass on my love for the art of quilting
Yesterday I went over to a girlfriends to teach her to quilt. At this point she had only done rag quilts wich are very forgiving when making errors. She had all her supplies.. for a beginner these are the supplies I recommend.
Begining Quilting supplies:
- Sewing machine Any type will work for a real novice but as you progress in your craft these are things that I would make sure I had if I was to purchase an other machine: 1.Drop feed dogs 2. a larger throat 3. needle down position 4. Threader 5. Walking foot equivalent (my Phaff had IDT) 5. Basic stitches straight, zig zag, blanket, button-hole, satin 6. 1/4″ foot. 7. Darning or Free motion foot 8. a thread cutter my machine does not have this option but I think it would be handy
- Cutting mat Self healing are best. A larger mat 24″ x 36″
- Rotary cutter (I like the Olpha 45mm) she had the kind that retracts after each use and I could not get the hang of using it. I felt like I was blind in my cutting as I could not see where the blade was going to be. This cold be just preference or what I have gotten used to)
- Scissors (Keep these away from paper as they will dull faster)
- Seam Ripper (I’ve tried quite a few kinds and I find clover with the white handle are my favorite. Fons and potter are ok but I don’t like of feel of the handle. What you want to look for is a thin picking point. Good sharp cutting in the curve of the ripper and of course a ball tor quick ripping. Whats the ball for here is a good tutorial on the use of hat little red ball.
- A measuring tape. This will come in handy when you want to measure your quilts for adding borders and binding. I like to keep 2 kinds a regular 60″ long one and one of the 110″ones.
- Pins and Pincushion I like the kind with the plastic ball as they are easier to grab
- Safety pins. Look for the kind that are bent. You will find this easier when pining the quilt layers together.
- Rulers here you should have 2 to start a 6″ x 24″ and a 6″x 12″ I don’t think there is much difference between them it’s what you get used to. Look for grid at 1″ and marks at the 1/2″, 1/4 and 1/8″ .
- Tread I like to work with 100% cotton. My favorite for piecing is Aurofill orange cone and I use Gutterman 100% cotton for quilting (as you learn you will find your own preferences and those of your machines)
- Fabric 100% Cotton In my experience it is worth purchasing a good quality cotton.
- Iron and Ironing board. Any will work.
- Marking Pen to mark anylines for quilting or center marks of peices. Even soap slivers will work.
This should give you a good start.
Renee's Quilting Addiction 