Quilting Notions
Tools or Toys?  

Part 1 of 4

In the search box on any e-bay page, type in the word quilting and see what happens!
Oh my Gosh!! On the day that I am writing this guide there were 16092 items listed for sale under the search quilting. 

There were sub category’s to try to help you find what you are looking for, but nothing to help you tell apart the tools from the toys.

Hopefully this Guide will help you figure out what is a needed tool for quilting and what is a ‘needed toy’ for quilting.

I have heard it said that “A notion is a tool if it is used every day.  A notion is a toy if is sits in the drawer and gathers dust.”  Is this a true statement?  Maybe or maybe not.  You decide. 

Sewing rooms are like kitchens, everyone is different and unique to the user, what I may find useful, you may find a toy and vise versa.  I will refer a lot to PP or Personal Preference.  I can explain what each is used for, but it is up to you to find the right one for you and your specific needs.

So with that stated, let’s get started with the top 10 (or so) notions I think you should have as a beginning quilter in your stash.

1. Scissors  2. Embroidery Scissors  3. Rotary cutter
4. Rotary Mat  5. Ruler or Rulers  6. Stiletto
7. Seam Ripper  8. Sewing Machine
9. Needles & Thread
10. Iron

Ready, let’s start at the top and work our way down.

1. Scissors.

What happened to the scissors that were in your grandmothers sewing basket? According to the Gingher web page, they make 62 different types of scissors!  No wonder we’re confused.  The scissors selection from this one manufacturer is staggering and there are several other manufacturers out there with just as extensive of selections.

Ok you ask, what do I need to get started?  Good Question!

I recommend a good sharp pair of dressmaker’s shears, preferably 8 inch, but I have found the 6 inch ones to work in my hands just a bit better, PP.  I have had mine for almost 15 years and each time I have them sharpened, they feel just like new.  I paid a bit more, but in the long run, I have gotten my money out of them and a little more.

You want a good strong scissor, not one that is going to break or tweak at more than 2 layers of fabric when you cut into it.  Size - PP Tool or toy?  Tool in my opinion. 

2. Embroidery Scissors. 

You will need a smaller pair of scissors to trim the threads from the blocks that come from the sewing machine or to cut them apart after you have chain pieced them together.  I prefer the 4 inch curved type as I can also use them for my embroidery or appliqué work. I have several pairs of embroidery scissors and I keep coming back to these.

A good sharp pair of Embroidery scissors will come with a sheath to keep the ends from becoming damaged in your sewing basket or poking you when you are looking for them.
Tool or toy?  Tool in my opinion

3. Rotary Cutter.

A rotary cutter looks like a pizza cutter only it is a lot smaller and sharper.  A rotary cutter is a double sided razor in the shape of a wheel.  It is attached to a plastic handle with a guard so you don’t cut yourself when you lay it down.  The rotary cutter is so sharp that with a new blade, a simple tap on your hand or finger is enough to split open the skin.

Rotary cutters come in several different sizes from the smallest being 28mm to the largest being 60 mm.  The most popular size is the 45mm and will be the most universal and efficient.  The 28mm is usually used for smaller work as in appliqués.  The 60 mm blade is useful in cutting batting or fleece or thicker layers of fabrics.

When choosing a rotary cutter, make sure you get one that has a guard and remember to close the guard when you set it down.  Cutters made today, come with guards that you have to slide over the blade, automatically retract, and recover the blade when you squeeze the handle or uncover the blade when you push down on the fabric and then automatically cover the blade again. 

Which ever one you choose, use care in the use of this tool, yes, this is a tool, because it is very sharp and is the 1st tool that you will use in the creation of your quilt. Tool or toy?  I wouldn’t start a quilt without one, so Tool!

Extra notion: Rotary blades.

Rotary blades come in packages of 1 to 5 and from straight to wavy. 

When a blade is dull, it will start skipping threads as it cuts or not cutting through all layers in one pass making more work for you and an unsafe condition because the more you press on the blade, the more likely you are to slip and cut your fingers or hands.

Changing of the blade is easy with all cutters, some easier then others, but a task that can be accomplished in just a few minutes.  The used blade can be re-sharpened or discarded.  If you decide to discard the blade, do so in the plastic case the new blade came in or tape it one side of a pieces of cardboard (I use packing tape) and then place another piece over it and then tape around all sides.  Tool or toy?  Neither.  This falls under the category of, if you want to use the rotary cutter, you have to have this notion.

Which brings me to my next extra notion: Blade sharpener.  I can tell you right now, I consider this a toy.  Blades are not that expensive and if I have to re-sharpen them, then I can’t afford to be quilting.  PP  Now on the other hand, if you have a new or newer blade that has a nick on it, then yes, this is a good temporary measure to save that blade, but I would not use it just to save blades, you’ll never get it as sharp as a brand new blade.

Please rate this part before moving on to the nex one, thx!

Please Continue to Part 2