Holy cow

my daughter-in-law won a sewing machine.  Don't ask me how, it got way too complicated for this old lady.
She is determined to learn how to quilt, because there is a lot of quilting in this house and she will inherit it.

She asked me for a basic list of supplies which got me thinking.  It got me searching.  I read different posts and they are so over the top for a beginner.  Here's my list in case you are ever in the same boat.

Rotary cutter and extra blades

     If you don't have extra blades on hand, I can guarantee you that the first time you run that rotary cutter down the mat to trim the fabric you will hit something and nick the blade.  Ask me how I know about that.  I use Olfa.  I love them and have several of different sizes.  I put my old blades in one and use it to cut paper.

Rotary cutting mat......24" x 36" minimum

     I use Omnigrid mats.  Teach them to clean their mats.  Once a year soak them in water to rejuvenate, let them dry flat.  I like to do them in the summer and lay them in the shade on our deck.

Acrylic ruler……6” x 24” to start.  

     I like the Omnigrid, but once again it is personal preference.  They are precision made and in quilting precision is pretty much required.

Best quality thread.  

     Gutermann is one I recommend and use a good neutral colour for sewing the seams together.  I use cones of Superior So Fine for sewing.  It is more economical for me.  I do like Gutermann over Mettler.  Personal preference.

Extra needles for your sewing machine.  #80

     Always have packages on hand.  Change it often.  It's the most inexpensive thing you can do to keep your machine in tip top condition.  

Scissors…..fabric and paper

     Never, ever use your fabric scissors on paper.  I cannot preach that enough.  It doesn't matter the brand.  It's what you are comfortable with.

Snips for trimming threads

     I have a pair of snips at my machine and on my ironing board.  I also have a pair at the long arm.  A girl can never have enough.

Seam ripper

     I will never confess how many I have!!

Hand sewing needles

     I need a needle with a big eye.  I have to get out and get more of them.  I bought some recently but I don't care for them so I will be looking for the kind I really like.

Note book

     Take lots of notes if you have to.  Don't rely on your head to remember every little detail at a class.  Take the time to make a note.  I never gave out notes during the class.  They were handed out at the end.  I found people were trying to follow along or they jumped ahead of me.  It was distracting for the other students.

Tape measure

     I have several and they are everywhere.  I love the long, long, long one I have, but you can start with a 60" one.

Straight pins…….fine with rounded glass heads  (silk pins)

     Glass heads don't melt with the heat of your iron.

Magnet

      These are great for finding all those pins you will drop on the floor.  If you can find one like this, get it.  
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/home/toys-and-games/crafts/44260-pocket-magnet-pin-retriever
Needle nanny.....I know you will find this the oddest thing to add to a list, but it is a great little tool.  It is magnetized so you can stick it on the quilt to hold your needle while you cut your thread while binding. Yes, hand binding. You can wear it on your tee-shirt while at the sewing machine to hold your scissors.  I absolutely love mine.  I bought it here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/fourboysandanlgirl

Iron and ironing board

A starter sewing machine.   

     You DO NOT need a $10,000 sewing machine to start quilting.

Some scrap fabric.  

     Fat quarters are good to start with.  That’s fabric pre-cut into either 18” x 21” (American) or 

20” x 21” (Canadian) ‘squares’.  They are perfect for cutting up and learning your ¼” seam allowance.

 What comes after? 

Don’t spend your money on anything when you are starting, except the basics.  If you find that quilting isn’t your thing, which many have done, you have wasted your money.  If you continue, you can buy what you need as you go along.  Learn the basics of quilting because from there you can do anything.

P.S.  Always keep the very first “quilt” you make.  It is wonderful to look back and see how far you have come.