Just in time for the holidays, I thought I'd share some of my favorite sewing tools and why I love them. I'm usually a fairly skeptical gadget-buyer, so I really have to believe in something in order to recommend it. Note that I get a small commission if you use these links to purchase, but that's not why I'm giving you the list. It's just a perk. :-) In fact, if you have a local quilt shop that you frequent, you should definitely get these items there first. Call them and ask if they have them, and if not, you should ask them to special order them, because they'd probably be happy to. Go ahead. Do it!
1. Wonder Clips
These handy little clips are a life-saver when I do my costume sewing. They hold thick and slippery fabrics much better than pins do. When I was first introduced to them, I was told they were useful for bindings, but I don't even use them for that. I use them to hold fabrics together when I use my serger. Imagine trying to pin through mesh -- it just doesn't work!
These handy little clips are a life-saver when I do my costume sewing. They hold thick and slippery fabrics much better than pins do. When I was first introduced to them, I was told they were useful for bindings, but I don't even use them for that. I use them to hold fabrics together when I use my serger. Imagine trying to pin through mesh -- it just doesn't work!
2. Brother PQ1500
First of all, I think you should buy a machine from a sewing machine dealer. There's many reasons for that: better service, often dealers have a different model than is available at big box stores (or online superstores), and you should support local. But if you don't live near a sewing machine dealer, this is pretty much the same machine that I do probably 95% of my sewing and quilting (not including costume stuff) on. Mine is a BabyLock Quilter's Choice Professional, but this is pretty much the same exact machine. It's fast, it has a huge throat space, and it's a workhorse. Note that it only goes straight -- no zigzag, no utility stitches. But if you want an affordable quilting machine, this is what I'd tell you to get. You just have to keep something around that zigzags, too.
First of all, I think you should buy a machine from a sewing machine dealer. There's many reasons for that: better service, often dealers have a different model than is available at big box stores (or online superstores), and you should support local. But if you don't live near a sewing machine dealer, this is pretty much the same machine that I do probably 95% of my sewing and quilting (not including costume stuff) on. Mine is a BabyLock Quilter's Choice Professional, but this is pretty much the same exact machine. It's fast, it has a huge throat space, and it's a workhorse. Note that it only goes straight -- no zigzag, no utility stitches. But if you want an affordable quilting machine, this is what I'd tell you to get. You just have to keep something around that zigzags, too.
3. Pellon 906f
This is what I use almost exclusively when I make t-shirt quilts. It's lightweight and doesn't change the hand of the shirts too much. It's easy to machine quilt through. Seriously, I buy it by the bolt.
This is what I use almost exclusively when I make t-shirt quilts. It's lightweight and doesn't change the hand of the shirts too much. It's easy to machine quilt through. Seriously, I buy it by the bolt.
4. Machingers Quilting Gloves
Hands down (get it -- I crack myself up) the single most important tool when I'm quilting. I don't even want to do demos during classes without them. They're thin enough to take out safety pins yet grippy enough to give you some hold on your quilt.
Hands down (get it -- I crack myself up) the single most important tool when I'm quilting. I don't even want to do demos during classes without them. They're thin enough to take out safety pins yet grippy enough to give you some hold on your quilt.
5. Free Motion Quilting Idea Book by Amanda Murphy
I love this book because it gives you quilting ideas on actual blocks. There are tons of quilting books out there with doodles and designs, but this shows the same block quilting several different ways. I love it.
I love this book because it gives you quilting ideas on actual blocks. There are tons of quilting books out there with doodles and designs, but this shows the same block quilting several different ways. I love it.
That's enough for tonight. I'll post more in the next few days. Happy shopping!
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