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Are you thinking about starting a new hobby? Perhaps you're in the middle of your quilting journey and find yourself wondering what you really need. If so you're in the right place. Quilting is a great hobby and you can make some very beautiful quilts to cover your bed and give to friends. Sometimes getting started with quilting can be overwhelming; there are way too many tools out there to be able to figure out which ones you really need without a little help. In this essential guide to quilting supplies for beginners, I will go over what a quilt is, why you need quality quilting supplies, and which ones to get for the beginner quilter.
Looking to venture into hand quilting? This list will primarily cover machine sewing and quilting supplies, although there are a few tools in this list that hand quilters will need too.
What is a quilt?
Do you have an antique quilt at home? Perhaps you have one that your grandmother made? Think about its construction: what does the top look like? What does the back look like? Do you know what's in between? A quilt is three layers of fabric that are sandwiched together consisting of a quilt top usually pieced together (but not always), a middle layer consisting of cotton or polyester batting, and a backing.
As a beginner, it is a good idea to focus on smaller projects like baby quilts, table runners, lap quilts, and accessories like bags, sewing machine accessories, and even quilted coats (very popular right now). Once you get the hang of quilting you can move on to the larger projects and more complicated designs and techniques.
The first step to getting started with quilting is to make sure that you have the right supplies. A good start would be a sewing machine, fabric, and thread. That will only get you so far though. Read on to find out what other essential tools you need to get started on your quilting journey.
Why do you need quality quilting supplies?
While most of the time I'm all about thrifting and spending the least amount possible for quilting supplies, I highly recommend that you get quality basic tools. Here’s why:
There is a big difference between bargain quilting supplies and quality quilting supplies and it's not just price. For example, a good rotary cutter could set you back 20 to 30 bucks but it will make smoother, straighter fabric cuts and will be able to cut multiple layers of fabric at once, making cutting faster. It's one of the must-have quilting tools that you will use every time you quilt. It's worth spending a little more on it.
Even a beginner can get professional-looking quilt results when they use quality quilting supplies. The first step is to have the right essential quilting tools. When you spend a little more on the basic supplies you are one step closer to having a professional-looking first quilt project.
When you buy quality quilting supplies, not only are you investing in a better experience but your tools will last longer and provide you with many years of quilting happiness.
Where can I find quality quilting supplies?
The first place I recommend going for quilting supplies is your local quilt shop. Don't know where your's is: do a quick Google search you may be surprised to find some local quilt shops in your area. Many local quilt shops carry only the best quilting supplies and the quilt shop owners are also quilters so they know exactly what you need.
Don't have a nearby quilt shop? Then I recommend shopping at big box stores Like Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby, and if necessary Walmart. These stores usually have a good selection of supplies and are of average quality. I've been very happy with the rotary cutters I've gotten at Walmart and many times, since I live out in the country, Walmart is my only choice. Even Amazon carries a good selection but it can be hard to make sure that you get quality supplies. When shopping on Amazon read the reviews and make sure that you're looking for a quality brand and not a knockoff.
16 Essential Basic Quilting Supplies to Get You Started Quilting
Rotary Cutter
A rotary cutter is essential to quilting. Honestly, it's the only way to get accurate cuts. Making a quilt requires that you cut smaller squares and strips of fabric. You could use scissors, in fact, I have done that before, but you won't like the results. Using a rotor rotary cutter is also much faster than using scissors, and you can cut multiple layers of fabric accurately at once. A 45 mm rotary cutter is the perfect size and I recommend getting extra rotary cutter blades so that you can change them out frequently.
How do you tell when your rotary cutter blade is dull? My rule of thumb is that if the rotary cutter blade can't cut two layers of fabric smoothly with one pass then it's time to change the blade.
This set from Amazon will cover the first three items: rotary cutter, cutting mat and acrylic ruler.
Self-healing Cutting Mat
If you're using a rotary cutter you have to have a cutting mat, a self-healing cutting mat is recommended. I use a Fisker's mat and have been very happy with it for many years, but Olaf is also a great brand. Size is also important. Smaller ones are great for doing more advanced projects like foundation paper piecing otherwise, you need a mat that is at least 18 by 24. This way you can cut multiple yards of fabric into smaller pieces easily.
Acrylic Quilting Ruler
An acrylic quilting ruler is essential for ensuring that you get straight cuts when you're using your rotary cutter on your cutting mat. You may want to have several, but when you're just starting, one acrylic quilting ruler that is at least 3 in wide by 18 inches long is perfect. This size is perfect for getting straight cuts through a larger piece of fabric. Depending on the pattern that you want to start with, you may need a square acrylic ruler to help you square up your quilt blocks.
Seam Ripper
You're bound to make mistakes, and even the best quilters make mistakes. So a sharp seam ripper is essential. You want it to be able to quickly pull out your seams, so you can get back to quilting.
Cotton Thread
A good rule of thumb is that you want your thread material to match your quilting material. Thus cotton thread is recommended when using cotton fabric. There are specific threads made for quilting and I recommend you get a large spool in a white or cream. (If you're working with all dark colors, use a dark thread, otherwise white works for everything else.)
Iron and Ironing Board
A good iron and an ironing board are essential to quilting. Every time you sew a seam you will be pressing the seams open. While sometimes finger pressing is necessary ( that's where you use your fingers to press the seam open) most quilting seems will need to be pressed with a hot iron to get the best, sharpest results. You will also want to press the fabric before you cut to remove any wrinkles. Steam works well for this. If your iron doesn't have a steam option you can also use a little spray bottle of water to mist your fabric before you apply heat.
Have a small space? Try a wool pressing mat. Since wool retains heat you'll be able to provide heat on both sides of the pieces you are pressing, giving you a better result. Wool pressing mats are smaller and will fit on a tabletop right next to your cutting mat.
Fabric Scissors
Never mess with a Quilter's fabric scissors. These scissors are usually a bit more expensive and are made specifically for cutting fabric. Once you have a pair of fabric scissors, never use those scissors for anything other than cutting fabric. That way they stay sharp and give you great results every time.
Karen K. Buckley scissors are a special type of scissors that cut the fabric in a way that prevents fraying in the long term. if you have a few extra bucks I highly recommend getting these scissors.
Straight Pins
You will need straight pins to hold your pieces together as you sew. I recommend getting longer pins that have a nice brightly colored top so you don't forget to pull them out. As you gain experience you may not need straight pins as much, but even I use them on occasion.
Pin Cushion
A pin cushion is a nice place to keep those pins while you sew. Don't worry about buying a pincushion unless you find one that's super cute. There are some great patterns out there for making pin cushions and a simple pin cushion could be your first project!
Safety Pins
Quilter's safety pins are used for basting the quilt sandwich together before its quilted on a machine or by hand. I recommend getting large safety pins that are at least an inch long. Avoid the very small pins as they don't go through the three layers of fabric as easily and they're hard to open and close.
¼” Seam Allowance Presser Foot and Walking Foot
Having the correct presser feet for your sewing machine is essential to getting the correct seam allowance as you quilt. A quarter-inch seam allowance presser foot ensures that you have accurate seam allowances throughout your quilting and will make piecing accurately easier. When you begin quilting the quilt sandwich or when you're putting on the binding, a walking foot allows you to feed the fabric through the machine evenly both on the top and the bottom, ensuring better results. Some sewing machines come with both feet so check your accessories to see if they are there. If not you can find these feet at a good price on Amazon.
Quilt Pattern
After you've made a few quilts you may feel comfortable piecing squares together to make a quilt, f this is your first instead of your second, I high, ly recommend that you find a great pattern to follow. A good quality pattern will give you clear instructions and walk you through some of the more difficult parts of the quilt. You are more likely to enjoy the process and be happy with the finished results.
Check out some of my beginner-friendly patterns: A Rainy Day Quilt and Orange Tree Quilt. Both have quality, clear instructions, and result in beautiful quilts. A Rainy Day Quilt comes with video tutorials that walk you through every step of the process.
Sewing Machine Needles
Sharp sewing machine needles are essential. When your needle is sharp it's less likely to break and will give you accurate stitches. I recommend Oregon needles because they stay sharper for longer and they rarely break. Schmitz needles are also a good brand. I recommend that you get needles that are labeled for quilting or universal needles.
Sewing Machine
There are many different brands of sewing machines out there at all different price points. It's important to do a little research and spend some time trying out different machines to find one that fits your budget and your style. I recommend spending over $100 on a good sewing machine. I've noticed that a basic sewing machine less than $100 doesn't provide satisfactory results all the time but can be a great option on a budget. I have used a variety of sewing machine brands. If you already have a sewing machine, go ahead and get started. In the future, you may want to upgrade for a better experience.
Small Pair of Scissors
One of my favorite quilting tools is a small pair of scissors that lives right next to my sewing machine. I use it all the time to snip stray threads after sewing. You can also use a tool called snips which are very similar to a small pair of scissors. Either works great and I highly recommend that you have a pair right next to your sewing machine.
Cotton Quilting Fabric
High-quality cotton quilting fabric is important when you're making a quilt. The higher thread count will be easier to work with and increase the longevity of your quilt. You may want to venture into other fabrics like T-shirts, minky, and many others during your quilting journey. They are all interesting to work with because they present their own sets of challenges. Before you tackle those challenges, it's important to master the basics using quality fabrics that will have predictable results even with slight technique variations.
Wow, that seems like a lot of tools to get you started quilting. The right tools will help you to enjoy the experience of quilting and ensure you have professional-looking results that will keep you quilting for years to come.
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