Getting Started: Basic Quilting Tools, Reference Books and Standard Quilt Sizes

Hi everyone! It’s Michele here for today’s Learning Center post with info on some basic quilting tools to get you started, a few reference books, a couple of inexpensive tool ideas and links to standard quilt sizes. As we explore the various techniques of quilting in upcoming posts this year, we’ll share tools and recommendations specifically related to those types of quilting.

Later this month, I’m also putting together a blog post with reader recommendations for “not so basic tools”. I’ve received several great ideas already. If you have a tool that you’d like to recommend, send me an email, a photo of the tool and/or a link to where it can be purchased and a couple of sentences why you like the tool. Don’t forget to include your name and a link to your own blog, if you have one.

Photos included below are for illustration purposes and not meant to represent me recommending one brand over another. That’s not the purpose of this post.

Basic Quilting Tools

Let’s face it, quilting can be expensive. If you’re just starting out it’ll be overwhelming the huge number of products available to us. Remember quilters of previous generations had a very small selection of tools and they produced such beautiful results. Some lovely fabric scraps, needle, thread, cardboard templates and scissors is all they had in their day.

Start small and build up your collection of tools as you need them. Buy the best quality you can afford at the time. Go to quilt shows to see the latest tools available and to try them out before buying. I try to avoid impulse buying and instead will watch a tool demo, walk away, and if I’m still thinking about it later, it’s time to back to the booth and get it. :)

Here’s what the quilter of our time will want in his/her toolbox:

• Rotary cutter – the best time saving tool ever created
• Self-healing cutting mat – must have to use the cutter
• Rulers – to use with the above
• Scissors
• Seam ripper – yes unsewing is a part of the quilter’s life
• Gorgeous fabric, threads, needles, sewing machine and an iron

The last item on my list we’ll explore later in March and April.

Rotary Cutters

I had a funny email exchange with Carrie Nelson last month when she shared with us her studio organization tips. She said …

I called her the Queen of rotary cutters and asked her to send me a photo of her stash of cutters. Here’s what she had to say …

Rotary cutters come in several different sizes (18mm, 28mm, 45mm and 60mm), shapes, colours and configurations. Many companies make cutters including Olfa, Fiskars, Clover, June Tailor, Gingher and others. Some like the Grace Company make cutters that are meant to be more ergonomic and less stressful on the body, such as this one, My Comfort Cutter:

For the beginner, I’d suggest getting the 45mm one, it’s the one you’ll use the most. If you can, try them out at a quilt store or show to pick one that feels nice in your hand. Cutters have come a long way over the years. In my stash, I have three cutters: two 45mm ones an old style and a newer style and a 28mm one. The old 45mm one is used strictly for batting or paper and always has a dull blade that I’ve transferred from the fabric cutting one. Don’t forget to pick up a pack of extra blades.

If you’re left-handed, you’ll definitely want to try out the cutter you’re thinking to buy or be sure to purchase one that states is if for left-handed users, such as this one from Olfa:

Self-healing Cutting Mats

Like rotary cutters, cutting mats come in a wide variety of styles, configurations and sizes. The most important thing to remember when buying a cutting mat is to purchase one that is “self-healing”. I made the mistake when I first started out of getting one that wasn’t and it didn’t last long at all.

What size you choose will also depend on how much space you have available in your sewing room. I have two 24″x36″ mats (one for batting/paper only), a rotating mat (shown below), a mat ironing board combo (also shown) and a couple of tiny ones that are handy beside my sewing machine when paper-piecing. I covet one of the larger mats if only I had the space for one.

Rulers

To go with your newly acquired mat and rotary cutter, you’ll need some rulers. Once again there are numerous companies that make rulers and many fabulous speciality rulers too. Best advice I can give when purchasing a ruler is to make sure that you can easily read the lines on the ruler. I have purchased a few that are impossible to read on any fabric colour. For the beginner, I’d suggest three basic sizes: 6.5″ square, 12″ square and a 6.5″x24.5″ long ruler.

Shown above is the 12.5″ square The Cutting Edge ruler that Pat Sloan designed and was developed by Sullivans. We’re giving away two 6.5″x24.5” rulers, see below for details.

Scissors

Even with a rotary cutter, you’ll still need some scissors. There are many to choose from and specialty scissors galore. Buy what you can afford for the task you are doing. I’d recommend a good pair for cutting fabrics, a pair for cutting paper, and a small pair for cutting threads.

I’m not sure how many I own, but I do have a nice collection. :) I found this Scissors Challenge on Flickr, and was surprised to see that it was something Pat did a couple of years ago. Yes, my collection is similar to these!

1. From Elise Fare, 2. IMG_1822, 3. IMG_1807, 4. scissors collection, 5. 43 Pairs of Scissors, 6. DSCN6995, 7. My Scissors, 8. A flower from Scissors, 9. my scissors collection

Seam Ripper

The seam ripper will be your best friend. Choose a good quality one with a small point at the end. You’ll be thankful for it.

Reference Books

Here are a few reference books that you might want to add to your library:

Mz Tool Lady

Pat’s friend Stevii Graves shares a few of her clever and inexpensive tool ideas. I’ll definitely be using the emery board trick real soon… why didn’t I think of that!

It is always fun to find quilty uses for non-quilty items.

Treat yourself to a pedicure. Dream about quilt designs as they massage your feet. To keep nail polish from getting on your toes a little foam separator is placed between your toes. Once the polish is dry the foam thing-a-ma-jig is removed. If anyone tries to throw away the foam thing, hit ’em with your purse! Instead of your toes, put wound bobbins in the foam thing. The bobbins will be held tight and will not unwind. Its a great way to transport bobbins to a class or retreat.

Deli paper can be found is big box stores, like Costco, and it’s intended use is to wrap sandwiches. Smart quilters know that it has better uses. It can be used to draw and trace patterns and as a stabilizer when sewing decorative stitches. It is also a perfect thing to protect your ironing board when fusing small pieces. Its not release paper, but can be a great protector for ironing board and iron. If you insist on using the deli paper for food, I’d recommend wrapping chocolate!

Drawing a diagonal line onto fabric and then sewing a 1/4″ seam allowance on either side of the line is a fabulous way to make half square triangles units. Instead of using a slippery ruler, use an emery board. It provides a straight edge to draw against and it will never slip around on the fabric.

Pin cushions are so much fun to make as gifts. To fill the pin cushions, take a trip to the pet supply store and buy a bag of reptile bedding to use as the filler. Reptile bedding is ground walnut shells, which machinists use in tumblers to polish metal. Your pins and needles will love being stuck in a pin cushion filled with reptile bedding. Use a kitchen funnel to pour the shells into the pin cushion.

Standard Quilt Sizes

Our friends at American Patchwork & Quilting have an article about determining a quilt size
and a PDF document of the standard quilt and batting sizes. More info on sizes including table toppers is available at the Sewing/Needlework web site.

Give-Away

Long post … are you still with me?

The good folks at Sullivans are giving away two 6.5″x24.5″ The Cutting Edge rulers. See them in action YouTube videos. You can buy them in your local quilt shops or at Joann’s or Keepsake Quilting online.

To enter the give-away, in the comments below answer “What are your favourite ruler sizes?”. Two winners will be randomly selected March 15th.

Congratulations to the winners. Check your inbox for an email from me.

#6 Sandy A
#76 Dawn