Did you know the quilting industry generates $5 billion in revenue each year? That’s a lot of fabric, sewing machines, patterns, tools, gadgets, and courses. When I first started quilting, I was convinced I needed the newest gadget or the latest specialty ruler to improve my quilting skills. However, over the past two and a half decades, I’ve learned that a much smaller toolbox is required. Today, I’m sharing the tried-and-true supplies I use in every single quilting project.
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No tools have revolutionized the cutting phase of a project more than rotary cutters paired with mats and rulers. Experiment with different types of cutters to find the one that suits your body and helps prevent cutting fatigue. I highly recommend using cutting mats in a medium neutral color to make it easier to see your fabric.
I have five rulers that permanently reside on my cutting table. My square rulers measure 12 ½", 8 ½", and 3 ½". Whether squaring up quilt blocks or finding the 45-degree angle on my binding piecing, these squares do it all. I also keep a 6" x 24" and an 8 ½" x 24" ruler on the table, which are perfect for cutting width of fabric strips from yardage.
My go-to needles for my sewing machine are Schmetz 70/10 needles with the green band. I use them for piecing, quilting, and binding, and they have never given me any trouble with skipped stitches. I get them in a box of 100, and those last about four years based on my order history.
This is the iron I swear I will use for as long as I’m a quilter. Switching to a cordless iron was life-changing for me. No matter how my space is arranged, I’m never going to trip on a cord or accidentally unplug it. It’s also gentle, even at the highest setting.
I bought into the hype surrounding wool pressing mats a few years ago, and it is not hype at all. I have the 12" x 18" size on my ironing table, and my seams press much flatter when I use it. Just be a little careful about using steam on it; it can get somewhat stinky.
The only batting I use is Warm & Natural. You can get it in popular quilt sizes or buy it by the yard or roll. Since I make many quilts each year, I purchase the 20-yard roll and simply cut off what I need for each project. When I’m not using it, I store the roll in the back of our coat closet, and I organize the off-cuts in a cabinet in my studio.
I wear grippy gloves while quilting to gain better control of the quilt sandwich and to prevent cramping and fatigue in my hands. The first thing I do when starting a new pair is cut the tips off my thumbs and index fingers, allowing me to snip threads, change bobbins, or thread my machine without removing them.
I don’t pre-wash my fabric because I’d rather be quilting than doing laundry, and these Color Catchers are the reason I feel confident doing that. I throw a few into the wash when a quilt is done, and I don’t have to worry about color runs.
Last but not least, the Hera marker is my favorite marking tool. While some marking tools promise to vanish under water or heat, I’ve heard far too many horror stories of people using visible markers that refuse to disappear, resulting in ruined quilts. With a Hera marker, you simply rub the tool over your quilt sandwich to create a crease in the fabric, and that serves as your marked line. I never worry about marking trauma with this tool.
So there you have it: every tool I use on every quilt. I added each one to my cart, and the total came to about $350. Much less than $5 billion! 🤣 What are your must-have tools? Let me know in the comments. I’m always open to exploring new gadgets.
