Aside from the obvious scissors, needles, and sewing machine, over the years I’ve learned there are certain things I just can’t do without in the sewing room. Every time someone asks me what I think they need, these are the things I tell them:
¼” sewing machine foot | Trust me on this—you need one, especially if you are going to quilt. For years I sewed without one and wondered why things didn’t come out exact. The reason was that my seams weren’t exact. I know it sounds obvious, but I thought for sure I was getting it right just using the guide on my machine. Then I tried a ¼” foot, and voilà! Perfect seams every time. I would never try to make a quilt without one again.
A lot of machine needles | I like to have a good range of these hanging around, too. I have universal needles and jeans needles, but I also like to have metallic needles around. I don’t often sew with metallic thread, but for whatever reason, these sharp-tipped needles work great on collage when doing free-motion quilting, even if you’re not using metallic thread.
Ruffler foot | Okay, so it’s not something you can’t live without, but I sure do love mine. A ruffler is a foot you can use on your machine that makes ruffles and pleats in several different lengths with ease. I can’t believe how easy it is to use. I actually made the 350” ruffle for the Sweet Home Chicago Quilt in just minutes with my ruffler! See page 119 to check it out.
Bobbins galore | I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand it when I run out of bobbins and I need to fill one with a new color. I keep tons of them on hand.
Seam ripper | Unsewing. Really, it’s part of sewing. I don’t fret anymore when I have to do it. Get a good seam ripper, and you won’t either. I have one that is like a scalpel. I love this thing! Check out my resource list in the back of the book to find out where to get one. You might want to try out Alex Anderson’s 4-in-1 Essential Sewing Tool, available from C&T Publishing. This tool is a seam ripper, stiletto, presser, and turner, all combined in a single wooden case.
Quilting rulers | These are the clear plastic rulers that come in all sorts of different sizes. I have a bunch on hand, and I don’t just use them for quilting. Any time a straight line needs to be cut, I use a quilting ruler.
Rotary cutter | A rotary cutter is a cutting tool alternative to scissors that is great for cutting straight lines and cutting through multiple layers. It looks like a pizza cutter, and—well, you just have to have one. It’s on top of the sewing box list for any sewer and quilter.
Small, sharp, pointy scissors | Use these for cutting threads, snipping around seam edges, and most important (to me anyway), cutting out fabric motifs … gets you around tricky corners with ease. More about that later!
Stiletto or awl | The first time I saw this on a supply list, I was baffled! A stiletto? But alas, it is not a fancy high-heeled shoe I’m talking about here. It’s a sharp-pointed tool used for poking holes in fabric and leather. I use it to turn under the small edges of appliqué. It’s also useful for keeping your pieces flat close to the sewing machine needle without sewing your fingertip, which isn’t a pretty thing.
Freezer paper | I don’t know who first realized it could be used for sewing, but this stuff is the bomb! It’s great for creating pattern pieces, and the shiny side can be ironed on to fabric and then easily removed.
Woven cotton fusible interfacing | Boy, do I hate running out of this stuff. I love it fused to the wrong side of pillow fronts, bags, and pretty much anything that can use a little body.
Appliqué glue and fabric glue | These glues are used in many projects in this book. For appliqué glue, I recommend Roxanne Glue-Baste-It. For fabric glue, I like Fabri-Tac.
Double-sided fusible web | One that I use for appliqué is Wonder Under.