Beginning Quilting Supplies

Debbie Caffrey’s 4” Block

By Mary Bellew

http://www.geocities.com/mbquilts2/Gallery.htm

You can view a photo of one that I have just recently finished using this little block at the bottom right of the web page above (Melanie’s quilt).  If you click on the photo, you can see a close up of the block itself.  This quilt will be made strictly by machine, using a special ruler and technique. These will be the easiest points you ever try to match up.

WONDERFUL STUFF

I will meet with each of you on an individual basis before class.  Please call me at (870) 772-5260, (Or email, of course, [email protected], please put quilt class in the subject line) so we can either discuss your fabric needs, or meet at either Hobby Lobby or Hancock’s for a lesson in color and “What your quilt needs”.  You will need to know approximately what size quilt you want to make, i.e., baby, toddler, twin, etc and a color theme.  I don’t recommend doing anything larger than a twin on your first try, but who knows?  You might just be the exception.

NECESSARY STUFF

Rotary cutting supplies

1. 45 mm rotary cutter  (I like the yellow one with the straight handle)
2. 6 X 12 or 6 ½ X 12 ruler.  The brand doesn’t matter, just be sure you can see through it and it has a 45° marking that meets in one corner.
3. 17 X 23 self-healing mat (The Green Olfa mat) Get larger if you can afford and want it.  If you plan to continue in quilting and have a place at home to set it up and leave it up, I would.  All mats will warp if set in the heat for even a minute amount of time, so be very careful and take them straight home on a flat surface. 
4. Omnigrid 96 Ruler or 96L ruler, whichever you can find.  If you cannot find this, I will have to order it, so please let me know soon.

Other stuff

 

    a.  Thin glass head straight pins, 1" or 1 ¼" long

    b.  Small pair of sharp scissors, blunt end if possible.

    c.  Good seam ripper   

    d.  Matching or neutral (light to med) grey.  This is just regular

 

 

sewing thread, 100% cotton.  I believe Geutermann is the best you can get in Texarkana, unless you go to a quilt shop, (and they probably have it there, but it will be more expensive), or you can purchase it at Hancock’s.

 

Big stuff

1. Sewing machine
2. ¼" foot if available
3. Extra bobbin

 Nice to have stuff

1. 12 ½" X 12 ½" square up ruler
2. 6" X 24" long ruler

These quilting supplies are items, which do not wear out and will last you almost a quilting lifetime. The mats eventually get used too much; the rotary cutter blades can be sharpened, but will need to be replaced periodically.  The initial investment is worth every penny, believe me.  So, please choose carefully. The mat, fabric and thread cannot or should not be purchased at a discount store, please.  You may not be happy with the results.  You can probably get the other items there, if you like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Session Supplies

Bring your quilt top to class, minus your borders.  You will still need all your supplies, including the ones below.  The following supplies will be discussed at our first meeting. 

1. Basting safety pins
2. Hand sewing needle for binding
3. Quilting thread to match your quilt top.  Again, light gray is neutral.  This is just regular sewing thread, 100% cotton.  I believe Geutermann is the best you can get in Texarkana, unless you go to a quilt shop (and they probably have it there), and you can purchase it at Hancock’s as well.
4. White chalk pencil, or one of the silver ones that promise to wash out.  If your fabric is light, you can use the water-soluble blue markers. They are great!
5. .03 or .05 fine line permanent fabric marking pen, whichever color your prefer.  Black is the customary color used.
6. 2 – 20” squares of 100% cotton fabric, one for the front and one to represent the back of a sampler quilt.  We will make a sample to take home for future reference for the binding exercise. 
7. 1 piece of fabric 45” from selvage to selvage, at least 6” wide to make a cut for the binding strip for the sampler. 
8. Walking foot to do machine quilting.
9. Fabric for the borders, binding and backing.
10. 100% cotton, wool, or a thin polyester batting the size of your finished quilt, no fat bats, please.  Hobby Lobby has nice batting.  They also have a 90/10, which is 90% cotton, 10% polyester bat that is really nice.  If you are doing a baby quilt, you may prefer a deeper batting, but will need to just tie instead of trying to quilt it. 

 

I will furnish:

a.  5 ½" square piece of muslin

b.  5" square of freezer paper

c.  Batting for sampler

d.  Let’s don’t forget snacks!!

e.  Folder with instructions for you to keep.

 

You should go home with a quilt top with a border attached, that is probably basted and ready to quilt, along with the sampler you made to help you finish your quilt.  Keep this sampler for future reference on the binding, because it is pretty tricky.  I still use mine…. Every time…. isn’t that sad? 

Oh well, some of us have it and some of us have to keep looking!!

 

Happy Quilting,

Mary Bellew