Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a lot of fancy supplies to be a quilter. If you poke around on Instagram or TikTok, you see quilting content creators with huge stashes of the newest fabrics, gadgets, and tools. But what do you really need for a basic sewing setup? Let me walk you through the top 10 must haves (in addition to a sewing machine and fabric) for your quilting studio – and forget the rest!
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So, you’re setting up your quilting space? Sweet! Whether you’re diving into this craft for the first time or sprucing up your quilting corner, I have the inside scoop on the top 10 must-haves. And guess what? You don’t need anything super fancy—just the basics to get your creative work going. Don’t be intimidated by images of fancy sewing studios that are unrealistic and out of reach. All you need is a table, a sewing machine, and the below basic supplies. You don’t need anything fancy.
- Measuring Tape: Let’s start with the MVP of quilting—your trusty measuring tape. You can use a tailor’s measuring tape or a straight edge that can be used with a rotary blade.
- Scissors or a Rotary Blade: Time to cut some fabric! Whether you’re team scissors or all about that rotary blade, just make sure you’ve got something sharp to make those cuts. There are lots of affordable scissors and rotary blades – you don’t need to go name brand. However, do make sure you purchase scissors specifically for fabric. They are much sharper than regular scissors and will save you a lot of headaches.
- Organizational System: Ah, the holy grail of stress-free quilting—organization! Whether it’s bins, shelves, or drawers, having a tidy system for your fabric and ongoing projects will save you from a scavenger hunt. Some basic clear bins will allow you to bring supplies out and put them away in a closet easily if you don’t have a dedicated space for working.
- Pins or Clover Clips: Keeping it all together! Pins, clips, or hey, why not both? These little guys will make sure your fabric stays put while you work your magic. I prefer both for different purposes – it’s good to have both to play around with to see what you like best.
- Thread: Can’t sew without it! Grab a basic set of colors and watch your creations come to life stitch by stitch. I recommend 100% cotton for quilting. Avoid polyester. You don’t need a fancy brand. I do like the below Aurifil set but it is on the speedier side. It does last a long time and works for any fabric that isn’t super dark.
I purchase this Aurifil set of three whenever I run out of quilting thread and am always impressed with the high quality. - Seam Ripper: We all make mistakes, but luckily, we’ve got a secret weapon—the seam ripper! Say goodbye to pesky stitching mishaps. Don’t feed bad about using this – it’s a quilter’s best friend (after the sewing machine!) 🙂
- Design Board: Say hello to your new best friend for laying out quilt blocks without the shuffle. I use a piece of quilt batting tacked onto the wall. It can be taken down in between working sessions.
- Journal: Time to document your quilting adventures! Jot down ideas, track your progress, and let your creativity run wild. A journal is helpful for letting you lay out what the steps are in making your quilt.
- Basting Pins: These little guys are here to save the day when it’s time to quilt your layers together. They’ll keep everything snug until you’re ready to stitch it all up. Basically, they are safety pins with a bendy side so they can easily be put into the quilt and taken out.
- An Iron: Last but not least, don’t forget to press those seams! An iron will give your quilts that polished, profesh look.
I personally love this Chi iron but any with a steam function will do. My mom swears by it as well!
And there you have it—your quilting must-haves!
