The feeling of satisfaction that you get after you create something with your own two hands is irreplaceable. Putting the time, effort and thought into something gives it so much more value than it would if you had just gone out and bought whatever it is. This feeling is especially true when it comes to creating your own quilt.
Quilts can last for a lifetime and really add sentimental value to whoever it is you are making it for. When quilting, you can choose how your quilt will look, giving you creative freedom. There are many fun gift ideas for quilters where you can add quilting to items such as bags, wallets, or even laptop cases! The possibilities are plenty, but before you get on to your quilting project, there are a couple of tools that you need to make sure you have bought at the quilt supply store.
Design wall
As a beginner, you must plan out what your quilt will look like before you begin stitching so that you don’t have to go through the trouble of doing it blindly, not liking it, and starting all over again. You can either invest in a ready-made design wall or use white flannel to place your pieces on.
Sewing machine
This is a better option than doing it by hand because since you are a beginner, you want to ensure that the lines are perfectly straight to sew. This will also help you get through the process much faster. It doesn’t have to be too fancy or expensive; a primary sewing machine will do just fine.
Sewing thread
Investing in the cotton-based thread to be light and gentle on your quilting material is a good idea. You can get as many colours as you like or just stick to the basics such as white, off-white, grey and black. These colours will go with any patterns you stick together and won’t clash, plus you will hardly see them if that’s the look you want to go forward with to make the fabric patterns and colours stand out.
Rotary cutter, mat & ruler
The rotary cutter is something that you will need to learn to use. It helps you cut out the fabric in a shape you like, and the cuts are excellent and accurate. It may take some practice, but you’ll definitely get the hang of it, and it will be a ton of fun too. Along with the cutter, you need to have a mat so that the edge isn’t damaging any of the surfaces in your home. And, of course, you need a ruler so that your measurements are accurate.
Quilting fabric
The star of the show! You need to go to the store and pick a good variety for your quilting project. Of course, you can also look around the house to see if you have any items you can recycle and turn into a quilt if you like. If not, then definitely get out and pick from various colours and designs made explicitly for quilting. It’s not a must, but the material and the arrangements are made in a way that caters to quilt-making.
Iron
You will need a good heavy iron that gives off sufficient heat so that you’re able to press down the quilting material when need be. It’s also a good idea to look into specially-made ironing boards that are large, rectangular, or square-shaped. This makes it more convenient and easier for you to iron your quilt without worrying about the curve at the worrying about the curvecissors
Keep within reach a couple of scissors, one for fabric and the other a regular scissors, just in case you need to use different crafts and materials for your quilting project.
Pins & needles
Before you start stitching, you need to have a good collection of pins and needles to hold your quilting materials together so nothing moves out of pl, ace. The hands you’ll obviously need for the stitching process itself.
Seam rippers
You’ll always be making mistakes as a beginner, and that’s fine; this is how we learn! Keep seam rippers handy if you make a mistake and must redo the stitching.
So now you have all the tools you need to start your dream project! Quilting is fun because there are so many variations you can work out and projects that you can do, and all it takes is the right tools and a lot of creativity.
