
You need GOOD scissors. I finally bought a pair of Ginghers and I just love them. The kids know to keep their grubby little paws off! They are completely off limits for anything except cutting fabric. I have about 4 other pairs of Fikers around the house that are used for all the other cutting needs that I have during the day. You need a good rotary cutter. I didn't know that they made bad ones until I taught a class and one of the ladies was using this tool that was masquerading as a rotary cutter, but I think it was really just a...well I don't know what it was, it was crap. And there are few things more dangerous than a dull blade. Keep your blades sharp. All my rotary cutter accidents (there have been quite a few) have taken place with dull blades.
You will need a good ruler. I love the Omnigrid rulers. They are clearly marked and come in a wonderful variety of sizes. My most used size is the 24" x 6". If you were only going to buy one ruler that is the one to buy. I have a 12" x 1" that I really like too, but I couldn't find it for the picture. I have a hunch that Emma has it in her room. She thinks it is cute too.
You will need a good Cutting Mat. I like the OFLA cutting mats. The first one I bought back about 11 years ago was 24" x 18". That was a good size for the amount of sewing I was doing then, but when we moved down here I upgraded and got a bigger one that is 36" x 24" I love it. I love how big it is. I can pile all my stuff on it and tote it out to the dining room table and when it is dinner time I pile everything back up and we can use the table again.


I have lots of sewing machine feet. I like to change them out frequently. On one bag I may use 6 different machine feet. I don't know how wild you are going to get, so the basics are a regular foot, 1/4" foot, walking foot and a darning foot (that is what I use to do my quilting with. I have a BSR, but I swear it hates me, so I avoid it. I don't feel it is worth the $$$$$, just my opinion, mind you. There may be something wrong with mine, but as I have the only one in the Northern Territory, no one can help me out with it.) boo hoo.
You need too straight pins...and a pretty pin cushion. I recommend you make your own. Very liberating. Nice thread snips or embroidery scissors by your machine so you can clip threads.
Thread. I like cotton thread. I use mostly King Tut long staple cotton thread. It costs lots, but I love the subtle glow it gives my finished products. I buy the big spools so I had to buy that stand the yellow thread is on to make it feed into the machine properly. Very good purchase. You will need a seam ripper, and I love canned air. It is very fun to blow all the lint out of the bobbin case area of the machine. I oil my machine regularly too. Make sure you use the right oil, not WD40 or I heard some poor soul oiled her machine with olive oil...yeah...don't do that. It will seize things up. Oh, good light. I like to sew by an window. I think this room gets so much light here in the outback I could probably sew in the middle of the night (the moon is crazy bright here with no ozone and little light pollution).

OK...I have been at this long enough. The kids are going crazy and I need to go see what the heck is going on
I wish you all so much luck and joy in your quilting journey...have fun with it. Find your own style and let your spirit have a little free reign. Feel free to ask questions...I will try to answer them in the comment section. I am going to try harder at that.
ox,
Tia
3 comments:
You forgot the ever-so-important coffee cup. :) Though I did see one in a couple of your pix.....
Hahahahaha! Great post!
Karen
Oh The coffee cup is there! I always have one (or 4) in the morning and then I have to switch to water.
Your inspiration wall looks great! Big fan of Gwen Marston here too.....
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