My Top 10 Tools for Quilting

I've been quilting/sewing for a very long time and these are the tools I just won't do without. If you haven't used them already, have fun trying them out and let me know what you think!

*** Even though I have included links for those of you who do not have easy access to stores, I highly recommend supporting your local brick & mortar quilt/sewing store by shopping there. If they don’t regularly stock some of the items I’ve listed, they might order them in for you.

1. Aurifil thread (Maco 50 wt): I can't say enough how much I looooove this thread! My 2 fave colours are #2605 which is a medium grey and #6730 which is a tan/taupe. The reason I love these in particular is because they blend in with so many other colours and they produce very little lint. Of course I also have many other colours, but a good neutral is all you need for most piecing.

2. Schmetz needles: Great quality needles for both piecing and quilting. I use a size 70/10 Denim for piecing because they are super sharp and fine, and an 80/12 Topstitch for quilting because of its large elongated eye for accommodating thicker thread, super sharp point for going through layers, and it doesn't leave large holes in the quilt sandwich.

3. A pair of small, sharp trimming scissors: Use these right beside your sewing machine for trimming pesky threads. I have a pair of Kai 4”, a set of 6” Fiskars spring action snips (great for people with arthritis), but my faves are the 6” Tula Pink funky coloured ones that my daughter, Kate, got for me.

4. Clover seam ripper (#482CV): We all have to reverse sew once in a while. They stay super sharp for a very long time and slice through threads very quickly. Seam rippers do have a “shelf life” so when you find it getting too difficult to rip stitches it just might be your seam ripper...invest in a new one.

5. Clover flower head pins (2506CV): I love these pins because they are sharp and super long. The other great thing about them is if you have to pin layers together and then cut with your ruler and rotary cutter the ruler actually stays flat as you're cutting because there's no traditional pin head in the way.

6. Long handled tweezers: I have a pair of Collins brand that I love for when I'm free-motion quilting, but any brand will do. They are wonderful for pulling up the bobbin thread when you're wearing your quilting gloves.

7. Clover Hera marker: Not technically a marker like a pen, but when run alongside a ruler it creates a crease in the fabric that is easily folded over. The other end is useful for pushing out corners.

8. Hump Jumper or Dritz Jean-a-ma-jig: An unusual thing, I know, but I can't tell you how helpful this tool can be. If you're sewing over a bulky area put this under your presser foot behind the needle and your stitches won't skip...hemming jeans anyone?

9. Clover Chaco-Liner: Great for marking quilting lines and then it brushes away or is gone after wiped with a slightly damp cloth. I use white (4712CV) or silver (4714CV). It has a metal notched wheel that deposits a small amount of chalk as you draw your lines.

10. Clover Wonder Clips: These are wonderful for putting together layers that are just too thick to pin through. A perfect addition for you bag makers out there.