Quilting Supplies

Quilting requires much more than just some scraps of cloth and the time to put the pieces together. It can be costly and time consuming to find everything you need. The Quilted Cowgirl carries all of the quilting and sewing supplies you will need to begin and finish your quilting project. 

The first thing every quilter needs is a pattern. From quilt kits to quilting books, you can find the pattern that fits your needs and ability. You can also use kits and books to get new ideas for your next quilting project. Quilt kits can make the quilting process a bit faster. All of the fabric you need to complete the project is contained in the kit. The quilter will only need to sub-cut the precise pieces and then piece the quilt together. Patterns include a list of materials, fabric cutting information, block assembly directions, and final quilt assembly instructions. Quilting books offer inspiration accompanied with step by step guidelines. You can also get help from books for your fabric questions, machine problems, quilt math, and procedures. Quilting books offer long term advice and continuous support for a quilter. 

To create a quilt that will not fall apart after a wash, you will need high quality quilting thread. Quilting thread holds the layers of the quilt together and creates indentations wherever the stitches are sewn. The threads and indentations are what add the final decorative finish to your quilt. Changing your thread choice can make all kinds of difference in your finished quilts - from machine quilting to hand quilting. Thread can even spruce up your quilt top with extra details like applique or embroidery. The Quilted Cowgirl can help you learn the difference between eighty weight and forty weight threads and their best uses. All threads boast special qualities that make them perfect for different tasks. 

Quilters should have a complete notions kit when beginning a quilt. All of the tools a quilter needs should be right on hand. Quilting tools, or notions, make a quilter’s job easier. You will need a sturdy pair of scissors for cutting fabric and thread. A thimble and a seam ripper can make hard jobs faster and protect your fingers. Fabric pens help you mark materials without leaving permanent dyes on your fabric. A rotary cutter and a cutting mat helps quilters cut fabric evenly and precisely. Quilters also need wonder clips, a seam guide, and quilting rulers. These items ensure consistent measurements when finishing quilt edges and sewing pieces together. Needles, pins, and pressing mats also make a quilters job easier. Notions also include any accessories included in the quilt. Zippers, buttons, thread, and labels may be used to embellish or finish a quilt. Choosing notions can be overwhelming, so it is best to follow recommendations in patterns at first. As you become a more experienced quilter, you can experiment, add, or change up the items you need to successfully complete a project. 

One item all quilters should be familiar with and use regularly is a quilting ruler. These rulers can be square, rectangular, triangular, or meet specialty needs. They are used for secondary cutting of strips and squaring up finished quilt blocks. Quilting rulers can also be used to cut strips and squares from Fat Quarters or other pre-cut yardage. The diagonal lines help with triangles. They can also help find the true center on patchwork units or used to cut angles. 

Quilters often include intricate embroidered details on quilts. If your quilt requires this type of work, there are some basic supplies you will need as you get started. First, choose your embroidery thread. Next, stabilizers will be needed on the back of embroidery designs to keep the threads from rubbing. You can use iron-on, tear-away, water soluble, self-adhesive, peel-n-stick, or tear-away stabilizers. Other stabilizers include cut-away, machine, over the back, fusible, and heat-n-bond lite. Stabilizers are also applied to the back of fabric appliques to prevent wrinkling. Embroidery work may require quilt basting adhesive spray, disappearing ink pens, and a Tide pen to remove marks. Embroidery snips, small scissors, are needed to cleanly cut thread ends. You will need bobbin thread, 75/11 ballpoint needles, fabric for appliques, and your items to embroidery. Finally, if you are using a machine for embroidery, you will need to purchase embroidery designs or software.

Another supply quilters might need is a wool bundle. Wool bundles are used for applique and quilting projects. The bundles contain small pieces of wool that have been dyed, felted, and dried. These bundles can be used for handwork or machine quilting projects. 

The Quilted Cowgirl keeps quilting and sewing supplies on-hand, ready to help you finish your project without missing a beat.