I have been quilting for over 30 years and have used many different tools. Some tools that were meant for quilting and some tools that were made for other purposes. It’s fun to find tools in unconventional items. I bet you’ve done this too. Let’s talk about some of my favorites and then I’d like you to share yours.
Conventional Tools
Of course there’s the obvious tools for quilting such as the sewing machine, rotary cutter, scissors, etc. I definitely can not sew without those. But, I have some other tools made for quilters that I use that I would not want to quilt without, even if I can. So here they are.
Tool #1: We all have cutting mats and rotary cutters that we use when we’re quilting, but my favorite tool that goes with these when cutting fabric is this little item.
It’s a ruler safety shield that I bought years ago. It’s made of the same material as the ruler and sticks on. It basically protects your fingers in case you slip with the rotary cutter.
As you can see from the photo above, my fingers are behind the shield. I’ve searched and have not found this product sold anymore, but I found something similar called Guidelines4Quilting that is supposed to work with all ruler brands.
Tool #2: If I have to use a ruler that doesn’t have a shield, my next favorite tool is my “klutz” glove.
I recommend having a pair of these gloves on hand. They add an extra layer of safety and they make me feel a little more comfortable when cutting fabric. Especially when I’m using a specialty ruler, like the one below, that can’t be outfitted with a safety shield.
Tool #3: This is one of my absolute favorite specialty rulers. I use this one a lot because I make many quilts with half-square triangle (HSTs) squares. This tool is the Quilt in a Day Triangle Square Up Ruler.
This tool makes squaring up HSTs easier by allowing you to trim the squares before you press them open. This way you only have to trim two sides instead of four. That may seem unimportant but when you have a pattern with hundreds of these HST squares, it’s a time saver! Here’s a photo of me using it:
As you can see from the photo above, there are lines marked with measurements: 1 1/2″, 2 1/2″, etc. (the other side has number 1″, 2″, etc). You line up the seam of your closed HST square with the unfinished size you want and trim the excess fabric.
Tool #4: My pressing stick. If I am piecing a block with many small pieces and don’t want to keep jumping up and down to the ironing board to press every seam, this is a handy tool! Then when it is time to press the entire block, the individual seams for each unit of the block are already pressed enough to make the pressing of the whole block easier.
My stick shown above is an old version since I’ve had it a long time. But the newer versions work just as well.
Tool #5: Finally, my wool pressing mat. This is a newer tool to quilters that’s become popular in recent years. When I go to the iron to press an entire block, I love using this mat because it works to press block seams beautifully flat. And everyone knows that flat seams mean your blocks will measure more accurately. Here’s the mat:
And here’s the difference in using just a regular ironing board versus the pressing mat:
The block on the left was not pressed on the wool mat so it doesn’t lay flat on the bottom and the top. You can see the red strip is creased a bit over the seam. The photo on the right shows the seam pressed using the wool mat. That red strip is now flat with no fabric creased. Now this block will measure correctly.
The heat from your iron penetrates these 100% wool mats. Because of that, it works to press your unit on both sides at the same time! No flipping of your piece is needed. It also helps to reduce stretching or distorting of seams because of the cushioning provided by the mat. Because of this you can press down harder with your iron when pressing your blocks or units on this mat, as opposed to a regular ironing board, without crushing your piece.
Unconventional Tools
Now here are some things that were not created for quilters, but I find them handy in the sewing room. I’m curious to see if you have used these as well. I’d also like to see some of the unusual items you use.
Tool #1: My favorite! Blue painter’s tape.
I use it to mark the cutting line on my ruler if I need to use the same measurement over and over for several strips. It makes that line on the ruler easier to see.
I also use the tape to extend my 1/4″ seam allowance line onto my sewing table extension so I have the guide as large as I want.
Tool #2: My phone. Specifically, the camera.
I use my camera to photo an array of fabric I’m planning to use in a quilt. Sometimes looking at a photo helps you remove fabrics that don’t belong in a group. I also use it to photo quilt block layouts to make sure I don’t mix up blocks as I am piecing a quilt top. With a scrap quilt, I can also use that photo to decide if I have too much on one color clumped together on one side of a quilt. If you don’t have a cell phone, a digital camera will work.
Tool #3: Storage for quilting tools has always been a challenge. I like to find unusual ways to store mine but still have them handy when I need them.
On the left, above, is a soap dish that I affixed to my sewing table with a command strip to store the tools I use often while stitching. In there is my scissors, my small ruler for measuring seams and small units and my pressing stick.
In the middle is a coffee mug holder repurposed to hold scissors and rotary cutters by my cutting mat. And the last photo is an old sewing machine drawer that acts as a catch all for items like marking pencils, pens, my making tape for labeling cut pieces and my klutz glove.
There are many other conventional and unconventional tools I use daily, but these are my favorites. Share your comments below with some of your favorite tools and I will enter you in a drawing for my pattern, Tree Farm.
If you win this now, you’ll have plenty of time to get it done by next Christmas! The drawing will be on Monday, December 29th. ***We have a winner! Congrats, Diane Dunham!***
Happy Quilting,
Deanne
i use the “conquest A5 grade” cut glove. picked it up at menards hardware store. is thin enough for good feeling through, and offers great grip. im a firm believer in safety tools. also a fan of the painter’s tape. long quilt lines? tape it!
Good source for a cutting glove. Also like the idea of marking quilting lines with the painter’s tape.
I have to have a stiletto to guide my fabric as I machine stitch. Works great.
Those really come in handy.
I also have a stiletto. I would be lost without it.
🙂
I use the sharp end of my seam ripper to hold tiny corners in place as they go through my machine. I use 1 pound weights to hold my 6 x 24 inch ruler in place when cutting. I put one end on the ruler and the other on the cutting mat. The extra weight helps keep my ruler from shifting on me.
That’s a good stand in for a stiletto. I’ve actually used an orange peeler in the past. LOL!
I use the silverware rack from my old dishwasher to hold my rotary cutters, small rulers and small cutting mats.
Good repurpose!
I use a stand that is shaped like a hand to hold my rotary cutter. Originally it was to hold a mobile phone on your desk.
That’s a cool item! Good repourpose.
I use my different block loc rulers.
Those are great rulers.
I love my rolling cart to help manage all the stuff.
Those are great storage items. I have a thin one that doesn’t take too much space but still stores a lot.
I use a cutlery container that use use to hold forks, knives, spoons and napkins on a table to hold my rotary cutters, scissors, small rulers, painters tape and anything I use on my cutting/ironing board surface.
A great store all!
I have been using the painters tape for along time. I also use it mark lines on a smaller quilt to quilt it. I love the phone idea. Will be trying that
Painter’s tape has so many great uses and doesn’t leave residue. Important when taping lines for quilting.
How about a long pair of kitchen tongs…priceless for retrieving thread spools and bobbins that have rolled under and behind tables.
I love this idea! It’s getting harder and harder to get down on the floor and retrieve things.