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LEARNING CENTER
CONTENTS
What Makes These Electric Scissors Different?
The Whys and Hows of Prewashing Fabric
Basic Tools and Notions for a New Quilter
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BASIC TOOLS AND NOTIONS FOR A NEW QUILTER
We are often asked for suggestions of what to buy for someone new to quilting. Here are a few of our favorites and some information to help you decide which is best for you. To view items in any category and learn more about individual products, click on the underlined and highlighted text or Search our Store.
Good scissors Don't scrimp here. There is nothing worse than trying to cut fabric with dull scissors. Get a good pair of shears for general cutting and a pair of embroidery scissors for detailed work. Don't use them to cut paper, wired ribbon or for craft projects. Keep these scissors for fabric only.
Pin cushion My personal favorite is the magnetic tabletop style, however, there are wrist pin cushions, and the traditional tomato ones that work equally as well. It is helpful to have one near your machine and another for your cutting table or pressing area. A tomato pin cushion works well for hand sewing needles as they get lost in the pile of pins on the magnetic holder.
Tape measure A 60 inch tape measure is usually long enough, however, if you will be making bed size quilts, you may want to invest in a 120 inch tape measure. It is much easier and more accurate to measure in one length.
Seam gauge I use mine every day! Slide the marker to whatever amount you need to remember or measure.
Seam ripper Unfortunately I use this almost every day, too! A good one does make the job a bit easier.
Hand sewing needles Sharps are good for applique or other hand sewing such as sewing binding or hemming. Hand quilters use betweens. Needles are sized so that the larger the number, the shorter the needle. If you are new to hand quilting or sewing, select an assortment so you can try different lengths of needles and decide what size works best for you. A needle threader can be a great help to get thick quilting thread through those tiny holes in the needles. For more information about hand sewing needles, there is a great article in the September 2001 issue of Threads Magazine.
Thimble A thimble should be used whenever you are hand stitching. It protects your finger from pokes and makes it much easier to get the needle through several layers of fabric and batting. The type of thimble you use is a personal choice. Leather ones are softer and more comfortable, but wear out quicker than the metal ones. Clover has thimbles that combine the comfort of leather with the strength of metal. There are also finger protectors for the hand on the underside of the quilt when hand quilting. Whatever type you choose, find a comfortable thimble and get used to using it. You'll be glad you did.
Thread Some quilters only use 100 percent cotton thread. Others like the polyester/cotton blends. There are also 100 percent polyester fans and those who love the luxurious feel of silk or rayon. Whatever thread you choose to use, get the best quality thread you can find. Quilts are meant to last for generations and so you will want to put the best fabrics and thread possible into your heirloom piece. Thread is size is often given in a number that looks like a fraction. For instance size "60/2" would be a two ply size 60 thread. The smaller the first number is, the thicker the thread. Thicker threads are used for quilting and decorative stitching. Finer threads are used for piecing and applique work.
Fabric The most popular fabric for quilting is 100 percent cotton. A good quality fabric will make your quilting a pleasure and will help your quilt will last a long time. Our fabrics are available in Fat Quarter Collections and yardage. Fat Quarter Collections are a grouping of 8 quality cotton fabrics cut in approximately 18 inch by 22 inch pieces (fabric widths vary somewhat). This is a popular size for quilters. Our yardage is sold in one yard increments and is available in solids and prints grouped by color. We also carry some polyester/cotton blend solids that can be used in a quilt that will be heavily used such as a "picnic" or "beach blanket" quilt.
Books Here are some titles to get you started on the right track.
Fabric Shopping with Alex Anderson
Learn To Do Hand Quilting In One Day - by Nancy Brenan Daniel
Quiltmaking for Beginners - by Lynn G. Kough
Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!, 2nd Ed. - by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes
Start Quilting, 2nd Edition - by Alex Anderson
Teach Yourself Quilting - by Janet Wickell
Your First Quilt Book - by Carol Doak
As you learn more about quilting, you will find your own personal favorite notions and tools. If you find something on our site that you like, be sure and post a customer opinion comment so that other shoppers will know how great it is. There is a link to post a comment at the bottom of every product on our site.
If you don't like one of our products, please let us know so we can investigate. If you are looking for something that you cannot find on our site, drop us a note and we'll research the product. Many of our new products are a direct result of someone just asking if we have it.