Quilting
Supplies
The Seven
Wonders of the Quilting World
Author: Pauline Rogers
Whether you are a beginner
quilter or an expert, these patchwork and
quilting tools are absolutely essential to
ensure that your patchwork and quilting
experience is enjoyable.
1. Of the many rulers
available, Creative Grid Rulers are brilliant.
The white and black lines are easy to see on
any colour fabric. The best advantage that
these rulers have, are the built in grips that
eliminate slipping of fabric. These two
features make tasks much easier. Available in 6
½" x 6 ½"
square, 6 ½" x 12" ruler, 6 ½" x 24" ruler
2. Clover Flower Head
Pinsare one of the most valuable tools you can
have in your sewing kit. They work
exceptionally well for foundation piecing, pin
through your papers with ease and they lay flat
over your feed dogs as you sew. If you have
problems with your fabric moving when you are
cutting, place flower pins through the layers
of fabric then place a ruler over the top of
your pins and cut your strip. The flower heads
are so flat that your ruler will fit perfectly
level over the pins.
They will take all the stress out of the fabric
moving.
3. Clover Desk Top Needle
Threader is a fantastic tool that is great for
threading any size needle. Just one click of
the button threads the needle. It is so amazing
it will even thread three strands of embroidery
thread at once.
4. 'Add a ¼" Ruler' is the
most useful ruler if you are making templates
and need to add a ¼" seam allowance. Make your
template to the finished measurement. When
cutting out your fabric place template on
fabric, then place your Add a ¼" Ruler on top
of the template. With your rotary cutter cut
along the edge of ruler. Presto, you now have
your perfect 1/4" exact seam allowance.
5. Kwik Clip is a fantastic
tool to save your fingers.
Anyone who has pinned a quilt for machine
quilting will appreciate this tool. The Kwik
Clip saves your fingers from getting sore doing
up the 100's of pins. Just simply put the Kwik
Clip under the tip of the safety pin and press
upwards until the pin is closed.
6. The Rotary Cutter is the
best invention ever for cutting all those
pieces for patchwork. Rotary cutters come in
many sizes. The medium sized rotary cutter is
the most used, as it is great for single or
multi layer. The jumbo rotary cutter is ideal
for cutting through multiple layers. The mini
cutter is superb for cutting around curves and
trimming ½ square triangles back to size.
7. Self-healing cutting mats
are specially designed for use with rotary
cutters. The mats come in many different
sizes.
The recommended size for most quilting work is
18" x 24". The mat protects the rotary cutter
from damage, prevents harm of the surface where
you are cutting and helps keep the fabric from
slipping about.
About the author:
Pauline Rogers has travelled throughout
Australia and New Zealand for over 20 years,
teaching the art of patchwork and quilting. She
operates an award winning shop, Country Fabrics
and Quilters, in Toowoomba, Queensland as well
as a successful mail order and online service.
She founded Quiltfest, an annual quilting event
and Margie's Quilts of Hope, a quilting
challenge which raises funds for breast cancer
research. Visit www.cfaq.com.au
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