Best quilting notions according to redditors

To solve the pricking yourself with pins problem-- try sewing clips! I bought these from Amazon and I think they're great. I find pinning stuff can sometimes distort the fabric, and you can't pin some fabrics because it leaves holes. They don't totally replace pins since you can only work from the edges with these, but they are really nice regardless!

Fabric scissors are always good gifts

Quilt clips

Chalk pens

Also I think most quilters would love charm packs and jellyrolls

Here's a couple of things on my wish list

1. Rotating Cutting Board
   
2. Quilting Sandboard
   

I’ve been bored at work so I planned out my cutting strategy for these quilt blocks. I made a cut list to make it simpler to me. If you just want to cut out a bunch of squares, go right ahead.

This includes a PDF of the blocks with cut list and layout and images of the same. There is also the Excel file if you want to play around with it.

I’m using a slightly modified Rainy Day Designs method of creating the blocks with fusible grid. She has links to Craftsy where she had posted the pattern but those links are dead. Looks like she also sold a kit on Etsy at one time but no longer.

She uses the 2" Fusible Grid and I’m using 1" Fusible Grid. My blocks finish at 8-inches and there are 24 of them for the front and three bonus blocks that I’m going to put on the back. Those are three characters from the Stampy Cat YouTube channel that my son loves.

Have you used the homemade baste? I was thinking of using that between the extra layer and blocks then again between the regular layers.

The store bought stuff is pricey.

I also received a box of these clip things along with natural batting as a gift. Hopefully they'll help me out:

MumCraft Multipurpose Sewing Clips with Tin Box Package, Assorted Colors, Pack of 100 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PNIWT2?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

You're doing way better than you think you are!

I'm probably gonna repeat things other people said but here we go:

1. You should trim the squares before joining them together, that way you know for sure they will match (you need to cut the square by taking the diagonal line on the ruler and using the diagonal line on the sew line so that the square is perfect, that way the diagonal sew line will end directly in the corner of the square, I hope this makes sense lol). Trimming the squares will also make it so you have less fabric overhanging in your edges (but having some is fine, dont worry about that, it all gets sewed up anyways! =P)
   
2. For sewing straight, try not to move the fabric too much and just let machine moving, I realized 90% of the "moving" was actually me, the machine will stay "fairly" straight if you leave it, specially for smaller pieces like we use. I also have a foot that measures 1/4', so as long as the edge of my fabric lines up with the edge of the foot (which is easy to keep track while you sew) you should be perfect! (Also, I notice that when my lines aren't perfectly straight nothing really happens unless it's ridiculously skewed, so again, no stressing!)
   
3. Use pins or clips!!! I go these from amazon and I love them! So I guess the real trick for things to line up is just to make sure you clip them together (or pin them). So for example, in your pinwheel, you started with 4 squares an sewed the ones next to each other together....there's nothing really to line up there. Then you have to do top and bottom, I would line up the centers first, and triple make sure that those are right, and then I keep pinning from the inside to the outside....My outside might not always match up 100% but what matters the most is the points so I dont think it's a problem =P
   
   I'm also a beginner so message me if you want a quilting buddy!!! =D These are some pinwheels I made like 2 weeks ago! =P
   
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   PS: This is your first block ever and you didn't chose the easiest one soooo GO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has anyone used a quilt frame for quilting on their regular ol domestic? I keep seeing this one around amd I'm wondering if anyone has experience with them
http://www.amazon.com/Flynn-Multi-Frame-Quilting-System/dp/B0038R91ZC/?linkId=AZ72J2CYKNZ55BSI&ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til

Something like this may be helpful. There's a bit of a trick to getting it right, and for the life of me I can't remember it fully. I feel like it requires leaving space and then folding the interfacing so that neat lines can be made. It's supposed to be super lightweight interfacing, so the added bulk shouldn't be too noticeable.

iExcell 125-Pack Yellow All Purpose Craft Clips - Best for Sewing Clips, Quilting Clips, Crafters, Crochet, Knitting https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KJGPS1R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xZDvCbANDCS83

These hold pretty well on 1000d cordura, would probably work better than tape.

Scissors or something to cut the fabric and thread with, fabric, needles, and thread are the absolute essentials. Other good things to have that will usually get used frequently are rulers (at least a seam ruler and a straight ruler although there are others that also come in handy), some type of fabric safe marking tools, straight pins or clips (example here), a pincushion or tray for holding/containing the pins, an iron and ironing board, extra bobbins, a seam ripper (or 3), and patterns. If you are following a pattern (as opposed to just practicing various stitches and sewing straight lines on scraps) it should tell you any trim, fasteners, interfacing, or any other extras you need as well as telling you how much you need.

When you go to put it through the sewing machine, roll it to get the bulk through the throat of the machine. Makes a huge difference in the amount of swearing you will do.

Also, if you want a nice even 1" spacing, lay lines of 1" masking tape 1" apart, and stitch right along the edge. It's amazing.

If you cut the pieces before you quilt, cut them a little big; quilting will take up width. You can always adjust the seams.

Use these instead of pins along the edges: https://www.amazon.com/Yalis-Multipurpose-Accessories-Quilting-Crocheting/dp/B01LWPC5JY?crid=GM7GT692TO0W&keywords=wonder+clips&qid=1536946871&sprefix=wonderclips%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-16-spons&ref=sr_1_16_sspa&psc=1 They will change your life.

My sister is a quilter and gave me a ton of great advice. :-)

RAGNAROS Multipurpose Sewing Clips For Quilting Crafting With Tin Box Assorted Colors 110 Pack 2 Size100 Small 10 Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XCGSY17/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dRwaCbK4XREMW

Clips like these, I don’t know the brand or anything, just as an example

i got these:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCGSY17/

As far as I can tell, they are no different from the name brand ones.

Its the spring steel piece from those sewing clips. My wife had these and I used some of them to secure filament to the spool when unloading my long bowden tubes. One day, when I crashed a nozzle into a bulldog clip, I thought there should be a better solution. One thing lead to the next and voila.

I just use the little sewing clip thingies like this.

Swity Home [100 Pcs] Mini Wonder Multi-purpose Clips Use as Sewing Clips Binding Clips for Quilting, Crocheting, Knitting and General Purpose https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E0TUCWC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p2U.Bb4H1WB1Z

There are tons of similar ones, I dont pin anything anymore.

Have you tried those new-fangled quilting clips? I use these, and they are pretty great. The bottom side allows you to lay the piece down flat, and they're small and don't cause holes or damage.

After some research I picked up a pack of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VP6ZM2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LYxyzbKTH2SNE

Their regular needles are very highly rated. These are about 6x the cost of my previous needles so hopefully they’re a bit heartier.

Looks like a beveled applique tool. Used to roll the edges of fabric when making patches.

HERE is an Amazon link to something similar.

And HERE is a video showing how they are used.