Every good quilter will keep a supply of sewing materials, tools and supplies. Having sewing supplies on hand will make the best use of your sewing time by increasing your sewing efficiency and productivity. Proper sewing supplies will make easy, even the most complex sewing projects. Following are some tools of the trade that no sewer should be without:

Rotary Cutters

These little rotary cutters pack a powerful punch. Faster and more efficient than scissors, they can cut through cloth of many kinds. There are several different brands on the market today; shop around and find one that feels comfortable in your hand and is easy to grip.
Because the blade on a rotary cutter is very sharp, concern for safety is key in using and storing this tool.

Mats and rulers

Mats and rulers come in so many shapes and sizes it is hard to know what, and how many to buy. My suggestion is to start with a large mat (37 X 25 in.) and a large ruler (24 X 6 in.). Most of the cutting you’ll ever need to do can be done using this size of mat, and you can always purchase other mats which feature a variety in size and shape for convenience as you advance in your quilting ability.

For precise cutting, always use a mat and ruler. Set up the tools and cloth to cut at the angle and length you want. Place the rotary cutter on the edge of the ruler and slide the cutter up the ruler. Be careful to measure twice and cut once.

Thread

This item is often the most overlooked, but one of the most important features of a quilt. Most quilt thread should be selected to blend into the quilt and not be noticed. However, if you choose to have the thread stand out, you should match your thread to the quilt as to be complementary.

There are many different kinds of thread. Some are specifically made for hand-quilting, others are made for machine quilting and still other thread is designed for embroidery. Be sure to select the thread that corresponds to your project