Is It Time for a New Sewing Kit?

I have always found joy in gathering and using every little tool possible for quilting. From practical ones to items with beautiful designs, or even products that make me a more proficient quilter - I just love them all! In this article, you will find my favorite tools along with some of the best tips on how to use them correctly. So come join me as we explore the world of 5 incredible pieces of quilt equipment.

1. FREEZER PAPER

Freezer paper is an invaluable quilting tool for me; it is one I simply cannot live without! Its plastic and paper sides make it truly magical, as when heated with a dry iron the plastic-coated side will adhere to fabric before peeling off neatly so that you can use it multiple times. How ingenious! Even before utilizing Inklingo, freezer paper was my go-to material for piecing together fabrics or appliquéing them together; better than any other template material out there in my opinion.

Inkjet printing on fabric is a breeze when utilizing freezer paper for stabilization, making it the ideal choice for Inklingo.

I can create precise shapes on fabric with my printer, and the well-defined cutting lines, sewing lines, matching marks, and exact corners make quilting easier than ever before! One of the most helpful tips that I've learned is to overlap scraps of freezer paper and then iron them together for larger sheets. This tip is from The Inklingo Handbook (which you can find on page H41 of the free Diamond-Triangle-Square shape collection).

2. ROTARY CUTTER

A rotary cutter is a must-have item for any quilter, and the Martelli Cutter especially--it gives me incomparable accuracy when cutting curves. This video will demonstrate how effortless it is to cut curves with any rotary cutter. The top tip that I recommend: keep your blade sharp! You might feel tempted to dull its edges due to safety reasons, but on the contrary; having a sharper blade makes it safer as less force needs to be used to control it accurately.

Safety is a paramount concern for quilters. Inklingo offers the safest, most efficient way to cut precise shapes through the positioning of its blade before any measuring takes place - an immense improvement from traditional rotary cutting approaches! The Inklingo Handbook (page H29 of the free Diamond-Triangle-Square shape collection) also provides helpful tips and advice on safe-cutting practices. With Inklingo's tools, I'm able to become a much better quilter and achieve my desired results with greater speed yet fewer risks than ever before.

3. SCISSORS

Every quilter has its preferred method of cutting, and thanks to Inklingo, you have the option to use scissors instead of a rotary cutter. As a bonus, this makes your project more manageable when on the go! Don't forget that having quality tools is just as important too: I've been lucky enough over the years to build up quite a collection of my favorite scissors.

Adding a pop of color to your sewing kit can make it both beautiful and enjoyable. I opted for red scissors, a pincushion, and a mouse when cutting my red fabric for Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses. Not only that but I used an Inklingo system to perfectly print sheets of fabric which added amazing special effects! For more information on how I achieved this look be sure to read another article featured on QuiltingHub.

4. INKJET PRINTER

For me, a must-have quilting tool is an Inkjet printer for producing Inklingo. I love it because I can conserve fabric by printing custom page sizes. Plus, if you are seeking out a new printer, there's no need to worry - inklingo.com has helpful FAQs and support under the "Support & Goodies" tab with all of the information about my favorite printers!

If you haven't tried Inklingo yet, don't miss out on the incredible opportunity to quilt with precision and ease! The Quick Start Guide outlines the three crucial elements that make it so beneficial for quilters. One of them is Custom Page Sizes which I did not know about before discovering this unique software! To give yourself a head start, download their free Diamond-Triangle-Square shape collection; It includes chapters from The Inklingo Handbook plus hundreds of pages full of versatile shapes to print onto fabric.

5. FINGER PINCUSHION

If you've already witnessed quilters utilizing finger pincushions, then I insist that it is likewise necessary for machine piecing. If you're curious to see how a finger pincushion is implemented at the sewing machine, watch this video which demonstrates stitching hexagons by machine!

Favorite tip: To save time and energy, I stash two needles in my finger pincushion whenever I'm hand-piecing. This eliminates the possibility of leaving behind an errant pin which could be hazardous during sewing. Plus, it streamlines my sewing kit for added convenience!