Quilting can be a lengthy and tricky pastime. Fortunately over the years there have been many tools and accessories which have been invented to take on certain problems that quilters used to face all the time.
If you've been quilting for a bit, there's an even chance you will have most, if not all, of these tools. If you are new to quilting, you'll soon work out which you 'must have'.
Rotary Cutter
This is my favourite and likely more often used tool. Rotary cutters come in different sizes but they essentially all do the same job. If you've never seen one before, it looks a lot like a pizza cutter - except much sharper.
If you've been quilting for a bit, there's an even chance you will have most, if not all, of these tools. If you are new to quilting, you'll soon work out which you 'must have'.
Rotary Cutter
This is my favourite and likely more often used tool. Rotary cutters come in different sizes but they essentially all do the same job. If you've never seen one before, it looks a lot like a pizza cutter - except much sharper.
It works by running the wheel in a line over your fabric and pressing down. It will make fast work of most fabrics and materials - usually requiring a single pass. I first used this on a green quilt design and by gum it saved me almost an hour of additional cutting.
You can buy them separatley, however if you don't have one already, I might suggest buying them in a kit as this comes with rulers and occasionally a cutting mat, depending on the kit.
Also do not forget to have a mat underneath any material you may be cutting, it will not always stop when its cut through the fabric and you do not need to be cutting into your craft table!
Cutting Mats
The term 'cutting mat ' doesn't cover everything in this area. While you can get a cutting mat you may also get a fold away table cover or a complete custom cutting table. How much you need to spend is your decision.
The other superb part about these mats is they have a grid pre-ruled on there to assist with any quick, easy cuts or measurements you might need to make.
A mat should be bought around the same time as your rotary cutter so you can get straight to work. You'll also find that the mat that comes with your rotary cutting kit could be a bit too small, so I would suggest buying a bigger cutting mat when you buy a rotary cutter.
These are the tools I work with the most when I am busy quilting. In the following article, we'll be looking at some other essential it
You can buy them separatley, however if you don't have one already, I might suggest buying them in a kit as this comes with rulers and occasionally a cutting mat, depending on the kit.
Also do not forget to have a mat underneath any material you may be cutting, it will not always stop when its cut through the fabric and you do not need to be cutting into your craft table!
Cutting Mats
The term 'cutting mat ' doesn't cover everything in this area. While you can get a cutting mat you may also get a fold away table cover or a complete custom cutting table. How much you need to spend is your decision.
The other superb part about these mats is they have a grid pre-ruled on there to assist with any quick, easy cuts or measurements you might need to make.
A mat should be bought around the same time as your rotary cutter so you can get straight to work. You'll also find that the mat that comes with your rotary cutting kit could be a bit too small, so I would suggest buying a bigger cutting mat when you buy a rotary cutter.
These are the tools I work with the most when I am busy quilting. In the following article, we'll be looking at some other essential it
The term 'cutting mat ' doesn't cover everything in this area. While you can get a cutting mat you may also get a fold away table cover or a complete custom cutting table. How much you need to spend is your decision.
The other superb part about these mats is they have a grid pre-ruled on there to assist with any quick, easy cuts or measurements you might need to make.
A mat should be bought around the same time as your rotary cutter so you can get straight to work. You'll also find that the mat that comes with your rotary cutting kit could be a bit too small, so I would suggest buying a bigger cutting mat when you buy a rotary cutter.
These are the tools I work with the most when I am busy quilting. In the following article, we'll be looking at some other essential items for quilting.
About the Author:
The other superb part about these mats is they have a grid pre-ruled on there to assist with any quick, easy cuts or measurements you might need to make.
A mat should be bought around the same time as your rotary cutter so you can get straight to work. You'll also find that the mat that comes with your rotary cutting kit could be a bit too small, so I would suggest buying a bigger cutting mat when you buy a rotary cutter.
These are the tools I work with the most when I am busy quilting. In the following article, we'll be looking at some other essential items for quilting.
About the Author:
Inquisitive about more green quilt design ideas? Then head on over to Jane Green's how to make a patchwork quilt site now!