C
hances are, if you’re already
interested in any other crafts
from sewing to embroidery,
you’ll already have most of the bits
and bobs you need for quilting.
However there are a few handy
extra tools that it’s worth your while
picking up, such as a rotary cutter
and cutting mat. If you’re completely
new to the world of quilting and
patchwork, you should be able to
find all the essentials for a quilter’s
toolbox at your local haberdashery,
or there are some great online shops
out there (turn to page 161 for a list
of stockists). As you get into the
swing of things you’ll find more little
bits of kit (or ‘notions’) are available
for every aspect of making a quilt,
but when starting out just gather
up a few basics and get quilting.ROTARY CUTTER 1
Used along with a cutting mat, a rotary
cutter is the quickest and easiest way to
cut precise pieces of fabric. The blade is
extremely sharp so you’ll need to be
careful when using one, but the finish is
much neater than using scissors. They
come in a variety of sizes, but a 45mm
diameter blade will be most useful when
you’re starting out.CUTTING MAT 2
Whether you’re working at the kitchen
table or on a dedicated craft desk, you’ll
want to protect it against the blade of
your rotary cutter. Buy the largest
cutting mat you can afford, as this will
enable you to make longer continuous
cuts with a rotary cutter.QUILTER’S RULER 3
Made from acrylic, quilter’s rulers are
tough enough to withstand the blade of a
rotary cutter. They’re available in many
shapes and sizes, but if you’re starting
out, opt for a 6½x24½in or 3x18inversion. You may also find it handy to buy
a 12½in square ruler for squaring up
fabric pieces and quilts.TAPE MEASURE 4
Accurate measuring is essential when
quilting, so make sure your tape measure
is easy to read. If you’re planning a large
project, such as a bedspread, then treat
yourself to a long tape measure!SCISSORS 5
You’ll need at least two pairs of scissors
in your quilting arsenal: dressmaking
scissors for cutting fabric, and a separate
pair of general household scissors for
cutting paper, card and thin plastic.
Don’t use dressmaking scissors for
cutting paper as this will quickly blunt
the blades. A small pair of embroidery
scissors often comes in handy too, as do
pinking shears – these create a zigzag
edge as they cut fabric and can stop your
patchwork pieces fraying. When you’re
shopping for any scissors, look for steel
blades and comfy-to-hold handles.SEAM RIPPER 6
If you need to unpick a seam or small
area of stitching, this tool is more precise
and much quicker than scissors.FABRIC MARKERS 7
Lines and patterns can be marked out on
fabric with various tools. Tailor’s chalk is
best on dark fabric, while pencils come in
a range of colours and can be used on most
materials. You can also use water-soluble
(washable) or air-erasable marker pens.FABRIC GLUE 8
Adhesives are useful for holding fabric in
place before or during stitching, and can
be bought in liquid, stick or spray form.PINS 9
You’ll need to pin fabric together while
quilting, so make sure you have plentyof pins. Choose ones that aren’t too thick,
and, if possible, have a selection of heads:
f lat ones that can be passed under a
sewing machine, and heat-resistant ones
for when you’re pressing your material.NEEDLES 10
As well as needles for hand sewing, you’ll
need to make sure your sewing machine
has the right needle for quilting. ‘Sharps’
and ‘betweens’ are best for hand sewing,
while a ‘universal’ needle should do the
trick in your sewing machine.SAFETY PINS 11
Safety pins are useful when making your
‘quilt sandwich’, securing the top,
wadding and backing in place before you
sew them together. Special curved safety
pins for quilting are available.THIN CARD OR TEMPLATE PLASTIC 12
You’ll need sheets of card or thin plastic
for making templates for the shapes for
your patchwork.FREEZER PAPER 13
It might have been created for wrapping
up food before it’s frozen, but freezer
paper is also ideal for templates and
appliqué. One side of the paper is slightly
waxy, so it can be ironed onto fabric
where it will stick temporarily, then peels
off without leaving residue.SEWING MACHINE 14
You’ll need a sewing machine for most
projects, or they’ll soon become very
time-consuming! Nearly all standard
sewing machines are suitable for quilting,
appliqué and patchwork. The most useful
types offer a variety of stitch lengths and
can do zigzag stitch. See page 26 for more
on how to use a sewing machine.STEAM IRON 15
It’s a good idea to iron fabrics before you
work with them, and finished projectsStock up on a few essentials for your craft kit
and you’ll be quilting the days away in no time!Materials & Tools
16 Beginner’s Guide to Quilting
TO OL K I T
THE QUILTER’S
Tools and equipment kindly provided by The Cotton Patch – http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk or 0121 702 2840.1415