I've heard several quilters have long and detailed discussions about the effectiveness and usefulness of the varied tools that they use in quilting.
While just about every tool has been covered in these discussions, there was always a select range of tools that were considered 'must have ' by quilters.
So here's a guide of the most frequent 'essential ' tools discussed by quilters.
Scissors
This goes without saying, if you don't have scissors, you don't have a quilt.
Each serious quilter should have at least 2 pairs of scissors. Not 2 of the same pair of scissors, but 2 completely differing kinds of scissors. They should have your ordinary ol ' straight hand cut scissors as well as a rotary cutter.
If you're unsure what a rotary cutter is, imagine a pizza cutter that has been specifically designed to work with fabrics and materials.
Its a pair of scissors that cuts as it rolls along the top of a fabric, with no need to work a handle open and closed while you progress. This allows you to easily cut long lengths of fabric swiftly and with great precision, which is really handy if you are working on a pattern without straight line,eg a rose quilt design.
Thus why its an essential tool.
Cutting Mats
Cutting quickly and exactly is nice , but it would not be so nice if it travelled through to the surface below!
Thats why we have cutting mats. A customized surface, available in an entire variety of different configurations and dimensions, expressly designed to guard your table or work area from any accidental damage from scissors, knives, pins and blades.
Some creative soul also thought up the great idea of putting rulers and pre-measured shapes in there, which is fantastic for quickly gathering the most commonly used measurements and providing steering lines for cutting!
How on earth did we do quilting before these?
In the following installment, we'll be continuing to have a look at what other stuff is a 'must have ' for all serious quilters!
Until then, happy quilting!
While just about every tool has been covered in these discussions, there was always a select range of tools that were considered 'must have ' by quilters.
So here's a guide of the most frequent 'essential ' tools discussed by quilters.
Scissors
This goes without saying, if you don't have scissors, you don't have a quilt.
Each serious quilter should have at least 2 pairs of scissors. Not 2 of the same pair of scissors, but 2 completely differing kinds of scissors. They should have your ordinary ol ' straight hand cut scissors as well as a rotary cutter.
If you're unsure what a rotary cutter is, imagine a pizza cutter that has been specifically designed to work with fabrics and materials.
Its a pair of scissors that cuts as it rolls along the top of a fabric, with no need to work a handle open and closed while you progress. This allows you to easily cut long lengths of fabric swiftly and with great precision, which is really handy if you are working on a pattern without straight line,eg a rose quilt design.
Thus why its an essential tool.
Cutting Mats
Cutting quickly and exactly is nice , but it would not be so nice if it travelled through to the surface below!
Thats why we have cutting mats. A customized surface, available in an entire variety of different configurations and dimensions, expressly designed to guard your table or work area from any accidental damage from scissors, knives, pins and blades.
Some creative soul also thought up the great idea of putting rulers and pre-measured shapes in there, which is fantastic for quickly gathering the most commonly used measurements and providing steering lines for cutting!
How on earth did we do quilting before these?
In the following installment, we'll be continuing to have a look at what other stuff is a 'must have ' for all serious quilters!
Until then, happy quilting!
About the Author:
Would you like more rose quilt design concepts? Then head on over to Jane Green's how to make a patchwork quilt site now!
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