Tools Used in Quilting
There are several basic items needed to make a quilt. The home sewer will already have most items already. The newest innovation for the quilt maker was the introduction of rotary cutting equipment to facilitate the cutting of many pieces of fabric accurately.
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Sewing Machine
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Sewing machine A good basic straight stitch sewing machine is all you need to make a quilt top. You need a machine that allows you to drop the feed dogs for machine quilting. Feed dogs are the teeth that drive the fabric under the needle.
Cutting Tools
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Scissors Fabric scissors, small scissors, craft scissors and rotary cutters are needed for cutting fabric and template plastic. Fabric scissors should only be used to cut fabric. A rotary cutter is like a pizza cutter for cutting fabric -- 45 mm rotary cutters work for most cutting, and 18 mm cutters allow you to cut curves.
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Rotary Mat and Rulers
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An 18-by-24-inch mat will be adequate for most rotary cutting needs. A 6-by-24-inch and 12 (1/2)-inch square rotary ruler are the minimum number of rulers you will need. This allows you to square up your fabric and cut strips from yardage.
Fabric and Thread
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Fabric and thread Buy the best quality fabric and thread you can afford. Look for a high thread count, good print registration and dye fastness with your fabric. Generally cotton fabric is best for quilting.
Other Tools
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Silk pins are best for piecing. They are very fine and will not distort the fabric. Size 80 sewing machine needles will be needed and should be changed frequently. Sharps are used for hand applique and "betweens" for quilting. A seam ripper will be used when you need to take something apart. Template plastic is for making pattern pieces for hand piecing and applique.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Windell Oskay Image by Fotolia.com, courtesy of Gina Smith Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Cláudia Assad
