There have been several discussions going on lately in Blogland about quilters' favorite tools, so I thought I would jump in with a list of mine. I tried to keep my list to ten items, but that was a lot harder than you would think! If you have any suggestions to add, by all means do so by making a comment. Other quilters love to know what notions are popular, time saving, and cool. Long post today, so fill your coffee cup and sit down for a nice read.
I am pressed for time today (Grandpa needs my attention), so I am not providing links to all these products. If you search my tutorials you will see that several of these products are discussed in detail. Also, if you "Google" the name of the product, you will get many sites that sell them and provide more product information.
The very basic items that one needs right out of the gate in order to pursue this craft successfully are a rotary cutter, a large self healing cutting mat, small scissors, basic rotary rulers in at least two sizes (12 x 6 and 24 x 6), a pin cushion, pins, a seam ripper, thread and a sewing machine. There are probably essentials that I am forgetting. But that is a start. Beyond that there is a plethora of gizmos and gadgets that make your work easier, stress free and fun. In no particular order, here are some of my Must Haves:
Bernina seam ripper. The cutting blade on these is so fine, it makes ripping easy. They are a bit pricier than other rippers, but I have never regretted this purchase.
How I got along before this gizmo came to my attention, I have no idea. It is a super bright and concentrated light that attaches to the top or side of your sewing machine. With these old eyes of mine, it enables me to see really well what is happening with my stitching.
I have blogged about this in the past, so you may remember me singing its praises. The Angler 2 is a guide that you tape to the throat plate of your sewing machine, which allows you to sew half square triangles and corner squares without marking. I have used this for years and find it to be a huge time saver.
Monique Dillard's Fit to be Geese ruler. If you have one of these rulers, you will be making the most perfect Flying Geese units you ever imagined. This is worth its weight in gold. In fact, any of Monique's rulers are outstanding!
Love these fine quilting pins by Clover. They are fine enough that I sew over them regularly. (Don't judge me lol). They are super fine and have heat resistant glass heads you can iron over.
More pins. These are "fork pins" also made by Clover. You can see from this picture I found on the internet how they hold your seam allowances down and enable you to match up your seam lines perfectly.
This is the Olfa Rotating Cutting Mat. In addition to your large cutting mat, you may find this small one a great help when you are cutting out small pieces. I am loving it while using my Marti Michell templates for the Farmer's Wife blocks. Instead of picking up my little shapes and repositioning the template, I can just turn the mat to easily cut all sides.
Another quilting mat I really like. These June Tailor Cut and Press mats come in several sizes, and I love having one on my sewing or cutting table with the pressing side up. I can use my little iron and it is so convenient. Great for retreats too, when there are a lot of folks sharing the big ironing boards. And if you need to cut, just flip it over and Bob's your uncle.
Are you all still with me? Just a couple more…
There are a number of rulers of this type out there, and all are pretty much the same, and very good. The Precision Trimmer (or something like it) is an invaluable tool for trimming up your blocks, especially half square triangles. You line up the diagonal lines along your seam and trim away the excess, leaving a perfectly square block unit. Trimming is good. I love making my blocks a scosh to big and trimming them down to size.
This is a new discovery for me. Because of the afore mentioned old eyes, I need help threading my sewing needles. I have always used Clover threaders in the past, and found them to be excellent. However, with my current six strand of floss embroidery project, I found I was breaking the Clovers one right after the other. These Grabbits were recommended to me, and I love them. They are super fine, but very securely attached so the wires don't pull out. Plus, they have a little magnet on the back, so you can stick it to your magnetic pin cushion or embroidery scissors!
This Goth looking device is my all time favorite thimble by Roxanne. I have had one for over 15 years and know it will out last me. They are quite expensive, but worth the splurge. They come in a ton of sizes, so you can get one that fits your finger tip perfectly. I would try to find a store that carries them and if possible, try them on in person to get the exact size for you. My fingers are super thin, so before this, I never could find a thimble that would stay on my finger tip. And do you see the little cut out? That is so you gals with fingernails can have your thimble fit securely on your finger and let your nail peek out.
I hope you enjoyed this list of gadgets that I find useful for my quilting. Please chime in and leave a comment on what items you find essential. We all love to know what other quilters are using!
38 responses to “Favorite Tools”
So happy you’re back, Nicole. I’ve missed your posts! I just wanted to let you know about a great needle threader that I learned about in a class with Libby Lehman. It’s called LoRan. You can find it at joann.com. It is a metal bar with a hook on each end and is made for thicker threads. I don’t know what kind of needle you use with your embroidery, but I’m assuming that any needle that will accommodate 6 strands will also accommodate the LoRan threader. It has a large hook on one end and a small one on the other. It’s really great, and I think it would eliminate the breakage issue.
So happy you’re back, Nicole. I’ve missed your posts! I just wanted to let you know about a great needle threader that I learned about in a class with Libby Lehman. It’s called LoRan. You can find it at joann.com. It is a metal bar with a hook on each end and is made for thicker threads. I don’t know what kind of needle you use with your embroidery, but I’m assuming that any needle that will accommodate 6 strands will also accommodate the LoRan threader. It has a large hook on one end and a small one on the other. It’s really great, and I think it would eliminate the breakage issue.
Good information! I think I’ll ask for that little bendable light for my springtime birthday.
I’ll add Pigma Micron fabric pens for making quilt labels. They come in very tiny .01, larger .05, and largest .08 sizes. I prefer .05 or .08 and seldom find those at my local quilt shops. Many shops have the tiny .01 size in black, though. They also come in a variety of colors and in sets of six, but Santa found a set of 16 colors and put that in my Christmas stocking! Good Santa!!
Hope Grandpa is coping well and feeling good.
Hugs!
Good information! I think I’ll ask for that little bendable light for my springtime birthday.
I’ll add Pigma Micron fabric pens for making quilt labels. They come in very tiny .01, larger .05, and largest .08 sizes. I prefer .05 or .08 and seldom find those at my local quilt shops. Many shops have the tiny .01 size in black, though. They also come in a variety of colors and in sets of six, but Santa found a set of 16 colors and put that in my Christmas stocking! Good Santa!!
Hope Grandpa is coping well and feeling good.
Hugs!
I think I’d have to give up sewing if I didn’t have my Bernina seam ripper. It is really a step above any other I’ve used. Also love my bendable light and Angler! I have a stilleto by Clover that I love to help ease fabric under my sewing foot.
I think I’d have to give up sewing if I didn’t have my Bernina seam ripper. It is really a step above any other I’ve used. Also love my bendable light and Angler! I have a stilleto by Clover that I love to help ease fabric under my sewing foot.
Thanks for the great suggestions! I bought fork pins when you showed those last year. They.are.the.best!!! I don’t know how I matched seams before I had those!! Perfect every time!
I also bought Clover’s Wonder Clips for bindings and heavier seams that are difficult to pin. They’re exactly that…WONDERFUL!! A bit pricey but I splurged at my LQS and haven’t regretted it! Here’s the link to see what they look like: http://www.clover-usa.com/product/0/3155/_/Wonder_Clips_%2810_pieces%29
Oh, and they’re red, so I know that makes them extra good!!
Thanks for the great suggestions! I bought fork pins when you showed those last year. They.are.the.best!!! I don’t know how I matched seams before I had those!! Perfect every time!
I also bought Clover’s Wonder Clips for bindings and heavier seams that are difficult to pin. They’re exactly that…WONDERFUL!! A bit pricey but I splurged at my LQS and haven’t regretted it! Here’s the link to see what they look like: http://www.clover-usa.com/product/0/3155/_/Wonder_Clips_%2810_pieces%29
Oh, and they’re red, so I know that makes them extra good!!
I have spent the morning searching for a new iron, so when I saw your post I just knew you would tell me which one to buy. So, I need your recommendation for an iron! One that gets hot enough……won’t catch on those little fabric corners…..one that won’t spit when on steam! And my second question is: marking pencils. I cannot for the life of me find something I like. And I will be looking for that little light! Old eyes certainly need help!
Glad you are back Nicole. And I understand the Grandpa duties. Hubby’s father lived with us for 8 years.
I have spent the morning searching for a new iron, so when I saw your post I just knew you would tell me which one to buy. So, I need your recommendation for an iron! One that gets hot enough……won’t catch on those little fabric corners…..one that won’t spit when on steam! And my second question is: marking pencils. I cannot for the life of me find something I like. And I will be looking for that little light! Old eyes certainly need help!
Glad you are back Nicole. And I understand the Grandpa duties. Hubby’s father lived with us for 8 years.
I LOVE my rotating mat. I got mine on sale but it is worth every penny of full price. Having little snips next to the sewing machine for thread cutting is pretty important to me. In fact, I usually have snips at the machine, the ironing board and at the cutting table. 🙂
Keep these kinds of posts coming…I think everyone loves to “see” how someone else’s sewing room “looks”.
I LOVE my rotating mat. I got mine on sale but it is worth every penny of full price. Having little snips next to the sewing machine for thread cutting is pretty important to me. In fact, I usually have snips at the machine, the ironing board and at the cutting table. 🙂
Keep these kinds of posts coming…I think everyone loves to “see” how someone else’s sewing room “looks”.
those bernina seam rippers are the best ever. i get too much practice with seam rippers and I’ve never used a better one. they
are fine and do break easily though so
don’t clean thread out of vacuum beater
bars with this one!
those bernina seam rippers are the best ever. i get too much practice with seam rippers and I’ve never used a better one. they
are fine and do break easily though so
don’t clean thread out of vacuum beater
bars with this one!
Hi Nicole, So glad to see you are blogging again!
Great list and I have most of the items on your list. I haven’t tried the Grabbit but that looks like a great tool. I wish I could get comfortable with a thimble however I’ve tried the stick on dots for the fingertip and that works pretty well for me. Another tool for me is spray sizing (not starch) I’ve been using it for a couple of years and really like how it provides body to fabric to help prevent stretching especially when cutting and or sewing on the bias.
LauraT
Hi Nicole, So glad to see you are blogging again!
Great list and I have most of the items on your list. I haven’t tried the Grabbit but that looks like a great tool. I wish I could get comfortable with a thimble however I’ve tried the stick on dots for the fingertip and that works pretty well for me. Another tool for me is spray sizing (not starch) I’ve been using it for a couple of years and really like how it provides body to fabric to help prevent stretching especially when cutting and or sewing on the bias.
LauraT
I am going to have to get one of those bendy lights…and I need to try the grabits as well. Do you have an on-line source for the clover pins with the round heads…would love to try those too!
I am going to have to get one of those bendy lights…and I need to try the grabits as well. Do you have an on-line source for the clover pins with the round heads…would love to try those too!
The bendy light has been on my list but I haven’t yet spent the $$ on it. I surely could use some new pins too! Thanks for sharing.
The bendy light has been on my list but I haven’t yet spent the $$ on it. I surely could use some new pins too! Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful post, I hope more folks chime in with their favorites. I agree, that spinning Olfa mat is a must have, I buy a new one every year. I’ve tried thimbles but can’t find the perfect one, I also have thin fingers, I’ll be on the lookout for Roxanne’s thimbles. I’m currently using those stick on pads but am not a huge fan. The last time you blogged about those fork pins I thought I should give them a try, I’ll order some as soon as I hit post on this comment. I love my Easy Angle, I’ll never make hst units without it again! I also love my gadget holder on my sewing table, it holds pens, rulers, scissors, rotary cutters, seam rippers, everything really. It keeps my surface neat and I know right where to go when I need one of those items. But most of all, I could not live without my pink magnetic pin holder. It’s pink and it works, plus the fact that it has a top for traveling makes it even handier.
What a wonderful post, I hope more folks chime in with their favorites. I agree, that spinning Olfa mat is a must have, I buy a new one every year. I’ve tried thimbles but can’t find the perfect one, I also have thin fingers, I’ll be on the lookout for Roxanne’s thimbles. I’m currently using those stick on pads but am not a huge fan. The last time you blogged about those fork pins I thought I should give them a try, I’ll order some as soon as I hit post on this comment. I love my Easy Angle, I’ll never make hst units without it again! I also love my gadget holder on my sewing table, it holds pens, rulers, scissors, rotary cutters, seam rippers, everything really. It keeps my surface neat and I know right where to go when I need one of those items. But most of all, I could not live without my pink magnetic pin holder. It’s pink and it works, plus the fact that it has a top for traveling makes it even handier.
I love my Roxannes thimble too. My fav thing is my Oliso (sp?) iron that goes up and down by touch, I can’t imagine propping up an iron every time I press something!
I love my Roxannes thimble too. My fav thing is my Oliso (sp?) iron that goes up and down by touch, I can’t imagine propping up an iron every time I press something!
Well this is a great post! Just like the good old days. hee! 🙂 I have to say most of the items you’re sharing are my fav’s as well. One the was new to me, too. So that’s cool. Dig that. Happy you’re back. Just smiley about the whole darn thing.
Well this is a great post! Just like the good old days. hee! 🙂 I have to say most of the items you’re sharing are my fav’s as well. One the was new to me, too. So that’s cool. Dig that. Happy you’re back. Just smiley about the whole darn thing.
Thank you for the info! ;p
Thank you for the info! ;p
Oh my gosh, how I LOVE my Roxanne thimbles! I actually have two because I lost, and later found, the first one! They have saved my fingers and made my handquilting so beautiful!
Oh my gosh, how I LOVE my Roxanne thimbles! I actually have two because I lost, and later found, the first one! They have saved my fingers and made my handquilting so beautiful!
You seem to have covered most of mine. I cannot live without my Fit to be… Rulers.
I love them! I never leave home without my pressing mat (also June Tailor) and my small Travel Iron. Besides the pins you mention (mine are another brand but basically the same concept – so thin you can run over them), I also always pack up my stiletto. I need that extra hold and guide when I’m working. I have the one Pearl P. Pereira designed and love the wood handle. I have new leaf version of the angler that I love because there is no need for tape. It’s vinyl so it sticks to the extension on my sewing machine. I LOVE that thing. Just picked up a new one since the lines are fading on the one I have.
I think that’s it. Obviously you have your std stuff (thread, needles, scissors, etc) but these are the non-essentials that are absolutely essential for me.
You seem to have covered most of mine. I cannot live without my Fit to be… Rulers.
I love them! I never leave home without my pressing mat (also June Tailor) and my small Travel Iron. Besides the pins you mention (mine are another brand but basically the same concept – so thin you can run over them), I also always pack up my stiletto. I need that extra hold and guide when I’m working. I have the one Pearl P. Pereira designed and love the wood handle. I have new leaf version of the angler that I love because there is no need for tape. It’s vinyl so it sticks to the extension on my sewing machine. I LOVE that thing. Just picked up a new one since the lines are fading on the one I have.
I think that’s it. Obviously you have your std stuff (thread, needles, scissors, etc) but these are the non-essentials that are absolutely essential for me.
Great topic! I absolutely love my blunt tip Gingher scissors for clipping threads. Helps to prevent accidentally snipping the fabric. (been there, done that)
I also love the Nimble Thimble. It is a snug fitting leather with an opening for a fingernail and a metal disk in just the right spot. I could never get used to a metal one.
Another must have is the magnetic pin holder. I have three, one by the machine, the cutting table and the ironing board.
Great topic! I absolutely love my blunt tip Gingher scissors for clipping threads. Helps to prevent accidentally snipping the fabric. (been there, done that)
I also love the Nimble Thimble. It is a snug fitting leather with an opening for a fingernail and a metal disk in just the right spot. I could never get used to a metal one.
Another must have is the magnetic pin holder. I have three, one by the machine, the cutting table and the ironing board.
Great tools! I also like the refillable chalk pencils – they’re great for marking quilting lines!
Great tools! I also like the refillable chalk pencils – they’re great for marking quilting lines!
Hi there, so good to have you back. I missed you while you were gone. Sorry to hear of the trials you have gone through and hope things will be looking up for you.
A big hug for you, as you care for your FIL. That is quite an undertaking and not sure that is something I could handle.
Just a little tip on the Roxanne thimble–when I ordered mine several years ago from her website, there were directions for having a jewelry store measure your thimble finger for exact size and order accordingly.You are correct, it is a perfect thimble especially for hand quilting. I enjoyed all your tips on this post!!
Take care,
Beverly in WA
Hi there, so good to have you back. I missed you while you were gone. Sorry to hear of the trials you have gone through and hope things will be looking up for you.
A big hug for you, as you care for your FIL. That is quite an undertaking and not sure that is something I could handle.
Just a little tip on the Roxanne thimble–when I ordered mine several years ago from her website, there were directions for having a jewelry store measure your thimble finger for exact size and order accordingly.You are correct, it is a perfect thimble especially for hand quilting. I enjoyed all your tips on this post!!
Take care,
Beverly in WA