Essentials Patchwork Quilt Tools
I read in Margaret Rowe’s book, “The Maria Challenge Quilt”, a story about how female convicts sent out to Australia in the early 19th century were given a tiny hessian bag by Elizabeth Fry.
The bags contained just enough materials to make a patchwork quilt during their long trip, so that on their arrival they could sell it to earn money for other essentials, or keep it for their own use. The were the following items were inside:
- A tape measure
- One ounce of pins
- 100 needles
- Four reels of white cotton and one each of red, blue and black
- Twenty four hanks of colored thread for embroidery
- A thimble a pair of scissors; glasses if required
- 2 pounds of patchwork pieces, and;
- A few other oddments which might have been handy for mending corsets, stockings etc.
And this started me pondering how tough it’d be to make a quilt without a straight edge to gauge against, no markers, no templates, and none of the cute little tools that we are privileged to have available today.
I also thought about what our top 5 most necessary modern tools would be for a beginner, So here they are:
One. Rotary Cutter: This has absolutely revolutionised quilt making. It is astounding to be in a position to cut two, four, even 8 fabric layers all at the same time and completely straight. I’m of the opinion a 45mm one is the most handy size, and they come in a variety of styles with automated retracting guards, safety catches for example. Choose one that you’re feeling happy with.
Two. Quilting Ruler: Positively necessary to measure all those perfect small strips and squares without needing to use a marking pencil at all. The most flexible one to get for a start would probably be a long 24″ x six [*FR1]” or something similar.
Three. Cutting Mat: Mandatory so we don’t cut up our table tops with our cool rotary cutters. Mind you it’s also great for cutting paper on for scrapbooking, paper tole etc and has plenty of other uses. Mine stays out on the table all of the time. My idea is to buy one as big as you have space for; and I find an A2 size is in general large enough for a home sewer.
4. Fabric Scissors: There's little more maddening than trying to cut fabric with blunt scissors, so select a good pair of large (although not huge) fabric scissors, and infrequently if you're fortunate they may come in a set with sharp pointed tiny embroidery scissors which you would also find many uses for. My information is to Keep them away from Men and Children they don't understand the term “For Fabric Only”.
Five. Sewing machine: Our fore-mothers did all their piecing and quilting by hand and made a pretty and outstanding job of it. While I continue to like to do some hand applique and piecing (I find it quite relaxing and calming), I couldn’t manage without my sewing machine.
It enables me to do the enormous roles quickly and oh so neatly! It’s not important to have the newest whizz-bang machine; when I started quilting I found it was possible to purchase a” foot, a walking foot, and a freestyle covering foot for my 35 year old Elna which permitted me to do just about everything I want to do. However , if you’re looking for a new machine, do look for one with a longer throat space which permits more space to move your quilt around.
Of course, it doesn’t need to be said we still need pins, needles, tape measure, and thread for example. But don’t let the wonderful array of quilting tools and stuff daunt you you do not need much to start, and you can always add to your collection as you make more quilts along the way i.e. When you are ready to start making a hexagon quilt, that’s the time to buy hexagon templates; when you are learning how to do needle turn appliqu, that is when you purchase some freezer paper.
To read heaps more great hints for how to make a patchwork quilt, check out Jane Green’s patchwork quilt internet site now!
my rotary mat
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Kinki Amibari – Large Cutting Mat $10.95 This cutting mat makes holding fabric and ruler in… |
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Rotary Trimmer Replacement Mat 12 $5.04 CARL BRANDS-Rotary Trimmer Replacement Mat: RM12. This 15x1in mat fits trimmers DC-100; DC-200; DC-210; DC-300; PRT-100 and RT-200. This package contains one replacement cutting mat and directions. Imported…. |
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Oster 78005-010 Golden A5 Single-Speed Clippers $105.99 Oster Golden A5 Dog Hair Clippers When you’re looking for an economical, reliable dog clipper the Oster(R) Golden A5(R) Single Speed Clipper has been the industry standard for years. Single speed dog clippers wear out less frequently than 2 speed or variable dog clippers. The Oster(R) Golden A5(R) Clipper has an insulated face plate that keeps the blade surface cooler. These clippers handle everyt… |
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Emjoi RotoShave AP-3RS Rechargeable Electric Razor $21.99 The Emjoi… |
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Bell Sports 108967 Yoga Fundamentals Kit $39.99 The Savasa Yoga Fundamentals Kits includes an instructional DVD featuring a 25 minute yoga pose workshop and a 45 minute yoga workout.Along with the Yoga essentials you’ll need to get started- a cotton strap,two blocks, a pose manual, and a specially designed mat to ensure that your feet, hands, and body correctly aligned for each pose…. |
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June Tailor 20-Inch-by-23-Inch Shape Cut Pro Ruler $47.13 Shape Cut Pro Ruler. This ruler is perfect for use with your rotary cutter and mat (sold separately). This ruler features a large size grid to accommodate the full width of fabric. 2-1/2″ slot increments to cut strips for Jelly Rolls. Cut 5″ strips, rotate and sub-cut for perfect 5″ charm squares. Layer and cut multiple fabrics for a quick cut for class projects and kits. Ruler measures 20×23″ and… |
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CMP2 Heavy-Duty Circle Cutter $29.99 OLFA Compass Cutter Heavy Duty Circle Cutter CMP-2 Model 9902 is designed to cut circles from approximately 3″ to 12″ diameter. Easily adjusts to accommodate users requirements. This cutter is perfect for scribing circles necessary for the installation of recessed lighting. Besides scribing drywall, the cutter can cut or mark cardboard, mat board, and thin plywood. This cutter uses super sharp hea… |
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Builder’s Cutting Mat 24×36 $19.39 “This is a Self Healing Work Top Mat Designed to Preserve the / Work Surface and save money . . . fewer Broken Knife Blades. / / FEATURES: Many Handy Markings Printed On The Surface, Including: / Vertical Rulers, Metric and Standard / Horizontal Rulers, Metric and Standard / 2″” and 3″” Star Templates / 30°… |
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OLFA 9654 RTY-2/DX 45mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter $12.45 The 45mm Quick-Change Rotary Cutter a rolling razor blade used to cut materials into shapes, strips and pieces for craft projects. The Quick-Change Rotary Cutter has an easy blade change with just a single click. No more assembly with a washer and a nut. Just slide the locking mechanism and the blade immediately releases. The innovative spilt blade cover allows for switching hands effortlessly wit… |
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Lutron MA-T51-WH Maestro Countdown Timer, White $31.00 … |
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Olfa Gridded Cutting Mat Set-Clipped $81.72 Dimensions: 23 inches high x 35 inches longSelf-healing rotary mats can be secured by mat clips to create a 70 inch long cutting surfaceTriple layer mats with yellow grid lines |
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Quilter’s Cut’n Press II $34.94 Quilter’s Cut’n'Press is two sidedOne side of quilt tool has a grid rotary mat with permanent angles and bias linesOther side of guide is cushioned |
