Tools for Quilting

Quilting is a form of sewing done by hand, sewing machine or a long arm quilting system. The process basically requires a needle and thread, which are used to join two or more layers of material together to make a quilt. There are many ways of quilting and its purpose may range from being purely functional to purely decorative. Quilting is commonly done on bed spreads, wall hangings and a variety of textile products, and helps to make the end result thick. Various tools are used for quilting, which are as follows.

Tools for Quilting

Quilt Pins: Quilt pins are longer than normal pins and used for pinning together quilting pieces easily. These pins are extremely sharp with large heads, and are extra-long to skewer in and out of multiple layers of cloth. They also find application as fasteners for stabilizing insulation inside jacketing, in order to form insulating covers that are installed around hot surfaces. Besides these, there are other pins also available in the market for specialty uses, like, appliqué and patchwork.

Quilting Thread : Threads are prime requirements of quilting and are available in a variety of types. The various forms include 100% quilting cotton, nylon invisible thread, patchwork and silk-finish.

Marking Tools: The marking tools are very important for quilting as they are used for marking temporary lines on fabric. These tools include a wide range of pens, pencils and soapstones, which can be used for different applications. They are handy for making notes on the back of a block, regarding direction or placement, drawing seamlines or pivot points for sewing reference, or marking stitching lines for quilting.

Thimble: A thimble is a protective shield worn on the finger or thumb while hand sewing. They are available in different sizes and are usually made from metal, leather, rubber, and wood. Some thimble makers also made ornate thimbles set in diamonds, sapphires, or rubies.

Transparent Rulers: The transparent rulers are a must for quilters, as they are necessary for accurate cutting with a rotary cutter. These rulers are available in a variety of sizes and styles in the market and are purchased according to the application.

Rotary Cutter: Rotary cutters consist of a rolling razor blade, which is made of high quality tungsten carbide. These cutters are used for cutting fabrics into shapes, strips and pieces. The rotary cutter has revolutionized the art of quilting and the time saved by using it instead of a scissor, is considerable. A special mat is required while using rotatory cutters, to avoid any damage to the tabletop.

Stencils: Stencils are basically used for marking quilting lines on a quilt top. They come in different types and some are especially designed for continuous line stitching. Such stencils have the fewest starts and stops, which give the benefit of avoiding the need to tie off thread tails in the middle of the quilt design.

Sewing Machine: In order to make machine designs, quilters often use machines with zigzag capabilities and utility stitches like satin, blind hem, blanket or buttonhole. These machines generally come with a walking foot and a quilting bar, which is a spacing guide that attaches to the presser foot.

Curved Safety Pins: Curved safety pins are used for holding a temporary stitch. They make it easy to get all layers pinned and cause less damage to the surface underneath.

Quilters Measuring Tape: Unlike the normal measuring tapes, the quilters measuring tapes are extra long ones, useful for measuring quilt tops, draperies, etc. They help the quilters to find optimum measures for the quilt design.

A proper and careful use of all these tools can make quilting a wonderful experience for the quilters and result in beautiful designs.