We all have our favorite tools we use when quilting ….. some we cannot live without and some that are useful, but we’d survive if we didn’t have it. Some tools are traditional ones that you buy in a quilt shop …. and some tools are things from your home that you use … even if quilting and sewing is not what it is intended for.

Of course, we all have our mats, rotary cutters and favorite scissors. I’m talking about those tools that make some quilting tasks easier (or make them seem so!).

If you look at my patterns, you’ll see I love scrappy and lots of small pieces.

One of my favorite pieces to use in a quilt block is a half-square triangle square. I used to make them, press them open and then trim all four sides of the square to make sure it measures the size I want.

Well, this cool tool is called the Triangle Square-up Ruler by Quilt in a Day®

This tool makes the squaring up task easier by allowing you to trim the squares before you press them open. You only have two cuts to make instead of four! It may seem small …. but when you have a pattern with hundreds of these squares, it’s a time saver!

Another favorite tool of mine is this magnetic wand called the Pin Picker Upper to pick up dropped pins and needles. It telescopes out so it’s long and you don’t have to bend over to sweep the floor for pins.

I drop a lot …. I  mean A LOT of pins on the floor when I’m working on a big project. And since I like to walk around my room in socks …. I need to find these pins before my feet do!

Next, is my pressing stick.  If I am piecing a block with many small pieces and don’t want to keep jumping up and down to press every seam, this is a handy tool!

This is how it works…..

My last most favorite thing is this O’lipfa Rotary Cutting Safety Shield ruler guide for my long quilting ruler. This is a great addition to your ruler. This keeps the rotary cutting from heading towards you hand if you slip while cutting. Since I sliced into a finger last year (ouch!) These guards have given me peace of mind.

These guards combined with my “klutz” glove has really saved me from cutting myself again. Whew!

Unusual Things I Use in my Studio

My camera …. yes! Either the one on my phone or a traditional digital one. I like to take photos of different layouts when piecing a quilt top or figuring out the placement of appliqués.

Then I can refer to the photos I have taken so I piece the blocks for a quilt top in the correct order! An inexpensive digital camera just for your quilting is a great tool!

I also use everyday items to store tools on my cutting table.

This is great storage for my pencils, small rulers and scissors. The item that my rotary cutter and scissors are hanging off of is an old coffee mug holder!

This last thing I use helps to keep the pattern I’m working on front and center in my line of site while I am sewing. A clipboard!

I found this cool wooden clipboard at a garage sale and thought it would fit in perfectly in my studio. If your sewing table is against to or next to a wall, you can even hang it on the wall.

So, now that you’ve seen my favorite tools, share yours with me! Win a copy of my latest pattern, Scrappy Catz by sharing your favorite tools in the comments.

Scrappy Catz Lap Quilt Pattern

***We Have a Winner! Congrats Charlene!***

Happy Quilting
Deanne