Quilting has recently become increasingly more popular in the past 30 years resulting in a huge upsurge in the number of supplies available to the quilting enthusiast. With so many wonderful tools available it can now be quite confusing to sift through what is an essential supply and what is not. Technically speaking, the modern day quilter doesn’t require more than a good sewing machine, scissors, needles and thread but the selection of these available is also enormous.
The most basic requirement will be a good, reliable sewing machine. You could technically go without a sewing machine and quilt by hand, but most people prefer the convenience that a sewing machine brings, especially for piecing together the blocks on the quilt top. When it comes to selecting a machine it is wise to purchase the best that you can afford. The sales staff at your local sewing machine retailer should be able to explain to you the differences in the machines and find one that suits your needs and your budget. Be sure to explain to them that you will be using it for quilting and explain what other needs you may have from your machine. If you only require the machine for quilting, you probably won’t need one that is capable of doing many fancy stitches as most quilters only require the machine to sew in a straight line.
You will need two sets of really good quality scissors; one for paper and one for fabric. Cutting paper patterns with your fabric scissors will ruin them very quickly, so be sure to keep them labeled and separate. A good idea is to make sure the scissors are each different colors so you can tell them apart. A rotary cutter and a mat will also quickly become your new best friend, making the job of cutting quilt pieces in bulk a lot easier. The mat is essential to protect your cutting surface from damage. These are two of the most convenient tools available and should be on your list of essential quilting supplies as they will save you much time and make the hobby more enjoyable.
Another essential requirement for quilting will obviously be a quilt pattern. First choose the type of quilt block you wish to make, taking into consideration whether the quilt will be used as a blanket, or just decoration, and then purchase the pattern so that you have detailed directions on that specific block. The pattern will also provide information about techniques and sewing instructions that you may not know without it.
Don’t go out and spend a fortune on all kinds of gadgets and unnecessary items. Start your project with the basics, and add things that will make the task easier for you as you go along. The first step is almost always the hardest, but once you’ve made the first step, you’ll be happy you did, and it may just prompt you to start making quilts on a regular basis.
Start looking for your first patchwork pattern at our pattern site!
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")