Top 10 Items I WISH I'd Known About as a Beginner Quilter

I’ve never purchased a pattern and have rarely purchased any new yardage. It’s shocking how much good fabric gets scrapped by the average quilter. That, and up cycled old clothes and bedding is what I use to make my quilts. I do buy natural fiber batting and thread. There’s no LQS where I live.

I agree with your top ten!

My favorite pins are made by Tulip. They are sharp and have glass heads.

I like my OMNI thread from Superior threads. It's a (poly- that is great for longarm quilting) but super strong. A bit pricey but worth it. I too, used a low cost thread that got stuck in my Janome. Which caused tension nightmares.

I use à walking foot and my Quilts still bubble up and all that. I’m still learning. 🥹

Thank you Mary. I didn’t know a lot when I started quilting. Very helpful.❤️

When I tried a titanium rotary blade, I was not impressed. It certainly did not last 3 times as long.

I would add one more thing: Good quality quilting fabric. The big box store fabric may look the same, but that nice feel is deceptive; it's mostly the finishes on the fabric and will disappear the first time the quilt is washed. After investing your heart and soul (and time and money) into a beautiful quilt, you want it to last through constant use and occasional washing without fraying and showing wear. A well made quilt with quality fabric will probably outlive you!

Great You are very inspiring Thank You 💕❤

Can you give us a list of what to buy that we can print

I have quite a few creative grid rulers. I put a few wxtra dots of stick on the back of them but i really like those rulers. I have 2 different triangle ones, a pineapple, a couple corner clippers (which are OK but i have discovered a great way to work with angles for binding and i don't need the extra step of the corner clipoer) and some small rulers for tri recs(the best) and another for making half s😊quare triangles which I really like. As I have progressed in my quilt making, i have learned that slowing down and really working for precision has been the ticket and trust me I am still working on that!!

Thank you sooooo much. This was very helpful.

As I was watching this video you came to the part about “buying your sewing machine local.” Then you said Stewart’s Sewing Machines and I about fell off my chair!! I’ve lived in Decatur, IL all my life!! I have a wide range of sewing, craft and gardening adventures through the years that I have thoroughly enjoyed! I am beginning to sew again after taking a few years off with health issues and I’m finding my sewing/craft room in dire need of organization. Thank you for your videos and I hope I can meet you someday in person!

The creative grids has 1/4” marking on 1side. Great for quilting

Why cotton?

Thank you so much for these tips. I am machine shopping now, well researching. I needed this video.

I have found that Rowentas do not last, and they don’t heat hot enough. I use a heavy, cheap iron from Walmart and it’s one of the best irons I have ever used. No more expensive irons for me. But I do agree with you about the other nine must haves.

So i need a bunch of stuff then you tell us we can get by with less😂

I love my Rowenta…I use 50/50 distilled water & tap. I empty it after each use and between sessions, I turn steam to “off”. Mine is not an auto off thankfully 😊. I learned 8 tips about irons from just get it done.
LOVE your purchase local!!

Very helpful, thanks!

Buying local is really important! I bought from a shop on the opposite coast, had a problem with the machine within 3 months - the local shops didn't want to service my name brand machine because I didn't purchase it from them! So - the next machine I shopped the local dealers around me until one said they would match the price of the store across the country. I got a great price and a local shop! Win - win!
As to free motion quilting - the machine you buy makes a BIG difference! A $500 machine won't cut it! Save yourself the headache! Buy a machine with a large opening (7 inches or more!) and one designed for quilting! Either a high stitch count straight stich only machine (Juki and Babylock have these in good qualities for under $2000)or just bite the bullet and buy a good machine! You won't regret it! And your FMQ will be fun - not frustrating!
It makes a huge difference!

Great info

WOW! Now thats festive!! Thx for sharing Kathy

I'm interviewing thread for quilting placemats. Funny to see this.

My Rowenta iron uses tap water. I ALWAYS empty the water from the iron after every sewing session. I never leave water in the iron when I turn it off. No rust/iron spots.

Can you also do a video on how to use rulers effectively. Without getting a few mms more or less while cutting blocks?

On your thread, do you use a 40 or 50 weight? I'm a beginner and I started with the heavy weight coats and clark. That's what my mother used to sew with. Not sure if it's the best to quilt with, but it's done really well so far. But I would like to get something in larger spools. Thank you!

I love QuiltCut UltraGrid rulers (and they're made in the USA)! After trying 5 different brands I tried this brand and they are my go to. They are inexpensive compared to other brands, the way the markings are set allows for pinpoint precision cutting, and the backs of the rulers grip the fabric somehow. After finding this brand I don't even use my other rulers anymore. The poor things are getting dusty, lol.

Same kind of thing for thread. My Juki doesn't like some thread and Aurofil is not it's favorite thread. It like Superior Threads so that's what I use now. They have some great sales so that's when I buy large cones.

When I purchased my machine it was advertised to be a quilting machine, what I have since learned is the distance between the needle and the other side of the machine is important. Mine is only 6 1\2”, much to narrow for even a twin size quilt. I have made due with it, but it is truly a hassle and is the cause of many a seam ripping session.

I am so happy to find this video! 😊
I was looking for quilting videos, because have decided to dabble in quilting… after using some gorgeous 🥰quilting fabric to make Christmas stockings.
I had no idea where to start and this information is awesome! The tips are great, and I can see how getting good quality equipment is worth the investment now. I especially appreciate the tip about checking out local quilting stores for used quilting machines. I’m going to start with my 1970s singer for now, and if the quilting bug bites I’ll definitely be checking out used machines. THANK YOU!☺️

Love Magic pins

Wow, this was an eye opener for me-an experienced quilter-I have some of those products, but now I’m going to get them all! Thank you!!!

I tend to ruin fabric if I use a seam ripper. I do much better with my little snips. I am madly in love with my walking foot. I never take it off. I found it for half price and was a little skeptical, but it's great.

I bought a Panasonic 360 cordless iron. It is wonderful.

The best seam ripper I've used is the Surgical Seam Ripper by Kathy Ruddy.

I put a weight (or two) at the edge of my rulers, Creative Grid rulers. It works well for me.

Lots of really good tips here so thank you so much for sharing 👏👏🇬🇧 Definitely buy local 👍

The Aurifil thread that I bought does break easily. This I don’t mind when needing to remove stitches

Is there a link to the seam ripper that you use?

The little seam ripper I got with my Bernina is amazing. The best seam ripper I've ever used.
I bought local too. It is a wonderful quilt shop with a very knowledgeable staff and some amazing fabrics.

I've used cotton Coats and Clark thread to piece and quilt my quilts and never had a problem with it breaking.

OMG! I so wish I’d had this information when I spent $$$$ on items that really weren’t worth the money. Learning to “make do” has been very frustrating and I’m now trading up on all my rulers and I’m hopeful Santa has a Martelli cutting mat under the tree for me this year. ❤️

fantastic...gracias

One thing that you should look for when buying a sewing machine for quilting is the needle down button. It is important to be able to stop with the needle down in your project to keep your position.

I can't find your video on five tips to making the perfect quilt block. Will you link it please?

I find that coats and clark dual duty xp threads cotton core poly are great for quilting, they don’t break very strong, also never have lint.

I think this advice is great for people who can afford all those things, but terribly discouraging for someone with a limited budget. If we want to pass quilting on to the next generation we need to encourage them to use whatever they can afford. Look at the Gees Bend quilters for inspiration. I started quilting as a 20 year old new mom with very little money. I bought a used machine for $40 and cut up some old clothes to make a quilt. I learned a lot. I’m actually kind of glad I started that way. Now that I’m in my 50’s and can afford some nicer tools and fabric, I REALLY appreciate what I have.

How much

I have a gravity feed iron, and it is fabulous!

Can you tell us where to find the pattern for the quilt you held up at the beginning of this video? Fabrics too? Please