Friday, June 10, 2011

Basic Tools for the Sampler



Sorry this took me so long to get up.  I have been out of town (well, I still am...) and I didn't get it posted before I left.  So...
Other than fabric, what will you need for the We Can Do It! Skill Builder Sampler?


Compass
Rotary Cutter
Needed Tools:
Ruler
Mat
  1. A sewing machine.  I guess you could sew everything by hand, but I will be using a sewing machine.  Your sewing machine does not need to be special or fancy, it just needs to be able to do a straight stitch and zig-zag.
  2. An iron and something to iron on.
  3. Thread - choose a color that blends well with your fabric.
  4. A rotary cutter and mat are essential for easy accurate cutting.
  5. Acrylic ruler.  A 6 x 24 inch ruler was the only ruler I had for many a year and is a great 1st ruler.
  6. Hand needles and pins.
  7. 1/4 yard of fusible interfacing (We will be using it in the first week of December, but don't worry about that right now, we'll talk about exactly what you will need in a few months)
  8. A small compass (like the ones used in geometry classe)

Not necessary, but nice:
1/4 Inch Foot with Gaurd
Rotary Blade Sharpener
12.5 x 12.5 Ruler


  1.  A rotary blade sharpener.  You can use this to sharpen your blades when they get dull.  Mine has saved me a lot of money in replacement blades for my rotary cutter.
  2. Some additional rulers.  My favorite sized ruler is 6.5 by 12.5.  It is great for working with fat quarters and smaller blocks.  A 12.5 inch square ruler for trimming the finished blocks would also be very helpful.
  3. A 1/4 inch foot with guard.  It is AMAZING!!  I just got one a few months ago and don't know how I quilted for years without one.
If you click on the picture of any of the tools it will take you to a site where you can purchase it.  I don't know if it is the best place to purchase it, but it did have a nice picture.  :)

    Here is another great post about quilting tools from the Skill Builder Series by Sandi.  Read more hereHere is another great post on basic starter supplies at Stitched in Color.

    Do you have any questions?  Did I forget anything?  Are you ready for next week?!?

    5 comments:

    1. I am excited and will be going out tomorrow to buy just a few more supplies. Just another excuse to hit the fabric store! ;)

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    2. Time to make some final fabric choices! Can you hear me going eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! all the way up in Vermont?

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    3. I'm almost ready ... waiting on my fabric to be delivered. I'm excited.

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    4. I am ready, and looking forward to next week.

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    5. A rotary blade cutter - what a great idea. That would save me lots of money too!

      The blocks on your skill builder sampler look like lots of fun. I can't wait to see how they all look :)

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