Best Quilting Notions and Tools

Below are my quilting tool recommendations, which I have conveniently grouped into sections. Each item is linked to Amazon making it easy for you to purchase. If I've written a review of the item, you can click on the item's name to read the review.

Each of the Amazon links below are affiliate links, which means that if you click the links and choose to make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you but does help me earn enough to support the cost of this website. Please know that I only link to items which I personally use and feel that I can confidently endorse. Your support by clicking on these links is greatly appreciated.

This month's "Good Thing"

Dear Jen Quilt Pattern booklet by Jen Kingwell

Basic Rotary Cutting Tools and Notions

These items make up what I consider the "basic" kit you need to be productive as a quilter. If you're a new or beginning quilter, these are your first investments. I heartily endorse the Creative Grids rulers because I can see through them clearly, they do not slip, and most of them have additional lines to help with lining up fabric, helping you make excellent cuts.  Another plus is that almost all of them have instructional videos on YouTube where you can learn better ways to use the ruler, and these videos can be easily accessed from a mobile device by scanning the QR code that is printed directly on the ruler.

Replacement Blades

24" x 36" Cutting Mat

Basic Sewing Notions for Quilters

These items make up what I call a "Basic Sewing Kit for Quilters." You may have a lot of these items already, but when it comes time to replace them, here are the ones I think are your best bet to get the job done.

1/4" Sewing Foot:

Kai Scissors


A good hot Iron

Aurifil 100% 50 wt. Thread

Clover Seam Ripper

Magnetic Pin Holder

Long Glass-Head Pins

Flower-Head Pins

Dritz Curved Safety Pins

Sewline Marking Chalk

Sew Straight

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Specialty Rulers & Tools for Quilters

There are a ton of specialty rulers on the market, and it's hard to know which ones are worthy of your investment. I consider the rulers listed below to be my "special" workhorses, as they have greatly improved my accuracy and given me exceptional results.

Corner Beam Ruler

Rapid Fire LeMoyne Star Ruler

Rapid Fire Hunter's Star Ruler

Log Cabin Trim Tool

Pineapple Block Trim Tool

HST Ruler

QST Ruler

Fat Robin for Mariner's Compass Blocks

 

Skinny Robin for Mariner's Compass Blocks

Quick Curve Ruler

Quick Curve Ruler - Mini

Add-a-Quarter Rulers

A must-have for trimming seams when paper piecing

English Paper Piecing Recommendations

Applique has its own set of needs. I love the fact that applique can be so portable, and so I keep an applique kit containing my applique tools and notions that are always ready to travel. The items below are my "go to" products when working with applique.

Polyester Thread

Fussy Cutting Mirror

Paper Forms

Sewline Glue Pen

Best Tools and Notions for Applique

YLI Silk Thread

Karen K Buckley Perfect Scissors

Karen K. Buckley Perfect Circles

Roxanne Glue Baste

Straw Needles

Thread Cutter Ring

Jillily Poke-a-dots

Needle Threader

 

Best tools, notions and fun stuff for Quilt Retreats

Quilt retreats and sewing group days are my favorite part of quilting. I try to keep a bag ready to go at a moments notice in case some friends call and say "Let's Sew!" I've found the tools and notions listed below to make my sewing excursions a lot more pleasant.

Dress the part - Show your spirit

A wardrobe essential for every quilter.
My comfy quilting tees are the first thing I pack for every retreat.

Mini Travel Iron

This little guy is super HOT! And takes up so much less space in my travel case.

Portable Ironing Surface

 

The ironing board isn't going to fit in your trunk, so pack this instead.

Sewing Machine Caddy

There are more expensive sewing machine totes out there, but this brand has served me well for over 5 years.

Large Tote Bag

I take a LOT of fabric with me when I retreat. I love the way I can stack the fabric in these large totes.

Hand Sewing Kit Bag

I love to keep all my hand sewing notions together in one place so it's a quick grab when going to retreats or trips. This version is roomy enough to also hold a small project.

Folding Portable Table

Because there is never enough room on the tables at the retreat center.

Water Bottle

Because sewing is a workout and you've got to stay hydrated.

Best tools and notions to organize your sewing room

Artbin Boxes

Artbin Storage Cubes

 

I have two of these that I use for organizing scraps. I added the Artbin casters so I could easily move them around.

Bobbin Buddies

 

I love how these keep my bobbins organized with my threads.

Tool Tree

 

While these are great for coffee mugs, too, it looks a lot better with Rotary Cutters and Scissors hanging off it!

Tool Caddy 

A great item for keeping tools organized.

Document Box

 

 

I use boxes like this to store templates and applique patterns

Magazine Holder

My goto storage item for magazines and patterns

Cubby Boxes

 

I love these for organizing specialty fabrics (such as wool, silk, etc.)

Fabric Storage Baskets

 

I use these in my studio to store large projects

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