Here are ten quilting supplies for beginners that are essential for your sewing journey! Learn about the tools and what they’re used for here.
So you want to start quilting? Awesome! This article will help you get started. There are so many quilting tools and supplies out there, but what exactly do you need?
Whether you want to start with a quilt square, a quilt top, or just a basic mini baby quilt, these is what you’re going to need. (Don’t forget to check out our unique quilt patterns).
Quilting Supplies for Beginners
Take a quick little journey down this list of ten items to make sure that you don’t go overboard with buying everything you set your eyes upon, especially since you just might not need them. Well, at least you don’t need them at the moment to get started. Here they are!
Rotary Cutter
The rotary cutter is going to be your absolute favorite tool, especially since it’s the most basic one to help you cut high quality fabrics accurately and quickly in different shapes and angles. These are very sharp, so please be careful you don’t roll over your fingers by accident.
Self Healing Mat
The self healing mat is what you’ll be using with your rotary cutter. It has a huge system of measurements printed on top, and it’s self-healing. This means when you cut fabric on top, the mat will bounce back unaffected. I use an 18 x 24 mat just for reference.
Sharp Fabric Scissors
You can just use a regular ol’ pair of scissors that’s meant for crafting and paper. Fabric scissors are extremely sharp, and should only be dedicated to cutting fabric with, and not anything else. You don’t want to go through the pain of having a dull pair of scissors by your side.
Seam Ripper
Accidents happen. Sometimes you just accidentally piece together the wrong fabric colors or shapes! The seam ripper is such a lifesaving tool, and you might (or might not) use it very often.
But I would say in terms of quilting supplies for beginners, you’ll want this to be there when you need it! THey are much easier to use than a small pair of scissors.
Sewing Pins
Please buy nice and sturdy quilting pins (I like flower head pins). Don’t buy the cheap ones. Pins will help keep your fabric in place on the seams that need to be stitched together. You’ll want to consider using the colored bobble ended ones so that you can color code as you work.
Wrist Pincushion
Managing pins can be a headache for a quilter! A lot of pincushions get in the way, too. What I personally prefer is a wrist pincushion, and there are a few options. You can get one with fabric, or you can get a magnetic one as well. I have fabric, but the choice is up to you.
High Quality Thread
You’re gonna use a LOT of thread, and you’re probably going to wind up with a huge assortment of spools. Stick with some basic colors, and then you can add onto your arsenal of colored cotton thread for when you create different projects.
Clear Plastic Rulers
Quilting rulers help to ensure you’re cutting your fabric with accuracy. You need to make sure that you’re cutting your fabric to the sizes that you need so nothing comes out awkward or puckered.
There’s more than just one type, but start off with the basic quilting ruler and you’ll be perfectly fine. A lot of people love Creative Grids if you are looking for a specific brand.
Sewing Machine
Unless you’re a go-getter and sewing everything by hand, you’re going to need a sewing machine to stitch your pieces of work together. You don’t need an extremely expensive machine. Just a nice market priced one.
TIP: Quilters love a walking foot for quilting! The moving feed system holds and moves multiple layers at the same pace to prevent misalignment, shifting and puckering. Helps for managing with tricky fabrics like minky, too.
Iron and Ironing Board
Yes. You need an iron to smooth the pieces of fabric that you are quilting together. This helps stop the puckering of the fabric and allows you to double check all sizes of your fabric swatches. So if you need an iron . . . you’re going to need an ironing board.
Additional Quilting Supplies
Here are a few other things that aren’t necessarily required, but beginners love these tools in addition to the ten above. You’ll find that you’ll quickly need these items not that long after you get started so I wanted to introduce you to them:
- Disappearing Fabric Marker – Use disappearing ink on projects to be completed within 24 hours. Use to transfer pattern markings, embroidery & quilting designs. Great for marking size alterations, seam allowances and many other sewing, quilting and craft projects.
- Roll and Press Seams Tool – is a convenient and quick way to press seams at the sewing machine. Roll to press a seam or fold. It won’t pull or distort fabric; the wheel is tapered to focus pressure on the seam.
- Temporary Fabric Adhesive – Temporary, repositionable, fabric adhesive used to temporarily bond fabric. Odorless, colorless, no mist, does not gum sewing needles. Use for machine applique, quilting and basting. Excellent for holding fabric to stabilizers in machine embroidery and hemming.
- Wonder Clips – Hold layers of fabric in place for sewing and quilting. These mini fabric clips offer a firm grasp even while on the go. Plus these clips are safe to use and do not prick or pierce like pins. The flat clip base is easy to use while feeding the fabric into the presser foot.
What quilting supplies for beginners have you already purchased for your quilting journey? Did we miss anything – let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out the following posts: