Everything You Need to Get Into Quilting, According to Quilters

For anyone looking to makingminimalist, modern-looking quilts (that also don’t require cutting hundreds of squares and triangles, Nina Dodge ofSky Clad Quiltsand Minnesota-based modern quilt designerArianna Caggianorecommend this book byLaura Prestonof Vacilando Quilting Co. for beginners, which offers designs that useminimalpiecing and large swaths of fabric, making it a good option for beginners. “She has some really beautiful modern and contemporary designs,” says Dodge.

Unless you’re hand-quilting (where you sew everything together by hand), asewing machineis a must. Everyone we spoke to agreed that it isn’t necessary to get the most expensive machine. “Any sewing machine with a straight stitch will do,” saysErin Wilson, a textile artist based in Brooklyn. Aside from cost-effectiveness, finding a good sewing machine largely comes down to preference, with Esarey likening it to choosing acar. One thing to look out for is a machine that can make an accurate quarter-inch seam, says quilter and interior designerCarson Converse. This can be helped along with a goodquarter-inch foot, she says, or using masking tape on the bed of the machine to mark the distance. Another thing to pay attention to is throat size, which refers to the space between the needle and the base of the machine. The bigger this space is, the easier is it for larger, thicker quilts to pass through. This becomes particularly important when sewing the three layers of a quilt together, the top, the batting, and backing, but isn’t something to be particularly worried about if you’re primarily focused on making the top of a quilt (called piecing), or looking to get started without too much financial commitment up front. “Entry-level machines don’t necessarily have a huge space, but it’s definitely manageable” says Friedlander. Many of our experts recalled using a Janome machine when starting out — the brand makes entry-level machines starting as low as $100. The Janome Mod 30 has a built-in needle threader, up-down positioning capabilities (for quilting, you often want to stop the needle in the “down position,” and a drop feed which allows for free motion quilting (this means the feed dog is disengaged, which limits fabric to a back and forth motion) too. Another affordable, under-$200 option is theBrother CS6000i, recommended by Caggiano, who likes how cheap andcompactit is. “If you’re just starting out and don’t want to invest too much in a machine this definitely a good starter machine,” she says.

Three of our experts recommended Schmetz needles, which quilter and co-author ofQuilt Modern Curves & Bold StripesDaisy Aschehougsays are just as good as pricier options. “I’ve tried some fancy titanium needles and never really noticed a difference in the performance or longevity,” she says. Award-winning quilter and teacherPeter Byrnelikes this five-pack, which comes with five needles in two of the most popularsizes(two 90/14 and three 75/11). “The specially tapered design allows easier fabric penetration and helps eliminate skipped stitches,” he says.

Thread choice is important for any quilting project, because it holds everything together. It’s best to start with a simple, strong thread, and wait on specialty threads like metallic or monofilament thread (made for invisible stitching), which are more difficult to work with. You should stay away from vintage threads too, which are often broken down by light and dust and more prone to breaking off in yourmachine. Almost everyone we spoke to name-dropped Aurifil 50 weight cotton thread, an Egyptian cotton thread that Massachusetts-based quilterNina Dodgesays is popular among quilters. “It’s a really nice all-purpose sewing and quilting thread,” says Wilson, “thin and strong.” Esarey likes the shade 2021 in particular, an off-white she uses for the top portion of her quilts. Aschehoug, who’s an ambassador for the brand, says she notices the biggest difference between Aurifil and other threads when it comes to quilting the three layers together. She prefers the brand’s thicker threads (the lower the number, the thicker the thread) for hand-sewing projects.

On the topic of fabric choices for beginners, all of our experts agree that you should stick tocottonthat doesn’t stretch. This will make it easier to work with, as other fabrics like jersey andsilkneed to be reinforced in order to hold their shape and stay put. Most suggested using quilting cotton, which has a tighter weave than regular cotton. While big-box-store fabrics work fine (like what’s available at Michael’s or JoAnn’s), these fabrics tend to be lower quality than what you would find in your local quilt shop. Four of our experts recommend Kona Cotton by Robert Kaufman for beginners, which comes in a wide range of patterns and colors. “It’s not too thin and it doesn’t stretch, which makes it stable for more precise patchwork,” says Caggiano. If you want to go the upcycling route, Aschehoug recommends usingmen’s shirts, which she says aren’t superthin or thick and don’t stretch.

You’ll also need lots of pins. “As many as you can get,” says contemporary artistMichael Thorpe. Pins are used to temporarily hold fabric together and are essential for piecing. Converse swears by flower-top pins by Clover, which she says are easy togripthanks to their large, flat top. “They are really great for people with any sort of grip issues,” she says, noting that even with the added surface area, they lay flatter than other pins she’s used. A note about pins: If you’re ironing or steaming mid-project with the pins still in, Esarey recommends using glass head ones instead, which are heat-resistant and won’t melt upon contact.

A rotarycutteris also a must for the aspiring quilter — it’s what many quilters use to cut the majority of their fabric. The tool, which has a round blade and sort of resembles a pizza cutter, is designed to create precise squares and strips. Friedlander, Thorpe, andPaula Steel, quilt designer and author ofModern Rainbow Patchwork Quilts, all swear by this Olfa 45mm rotary cutter, which can cut through six layers of fabric at once and has anergonomichandle for comfortable use. The blade is also retractable and has asafetylock so you don’t have to worry about slicing yourself accidentally.

With a rotary cutter comes a self-healing cuttingmat, a must-have to avoid damaging yoursurfacesand the mat itself. Friedlander is partial to this one from Olfa because of the vibrant, green color which makes fabrics easy to see. “Some fabrics disappear on different colored mats,” she says. She also likes the size. “You want the cutting mat to be large enough that when you put your fabric on it, you can still see the reference numbers,” she says. “This one is great because it works with some of the standard dimensions of fabric.”

Aruleris also a must-have, preferably a clear one with grids. Thorpe, Converse, Wilson, and Friedlander are all partial to this one by Omnigrid, which features neon lines for added visibility and a nonslip back that helps when cutting fabric. It’s ideal for rotary cutters but compatible with scissors too.

If you’re not cutting perfect squares,scissorsare essential, preferably a sharp pair with at least an eight-inchblade. The most important element for scissors is sharpness, which you can ensure by only using them forfabric. Byrne swears by Kai scissors, and recommends this three-pack, which comes with a six-inch, eight-inch, and four-inch blade. Wilson likes them too, noting that the serrated blade helps to grip the fabric and keep it from slipping. According to Friedlander, when the scissors start to dull, you can send them back and have them sharpened for a small fee.

Another option arescissorsfrom Gingher, which Thorpe calls “the creme of the crop,” and Esaray agrees. “They are just as sharp as the day I got them,” she says. Outfitted with supersharp edges, these make it easy to cut through several layers of fabric in one slice.

An iron is also a must, necessary for making sure your fabrics stay flat during the process. While the type ofironis up to you, our experts recommended sticking with something affordable. “You either have to go total low-end or total high-end,” says Friedlander. “You can end up spending a lot in the middle range and they still leak.” Wilson recommends using what you have, but if you’re in the market for a new one, suggests the Rowenta DW8080 Stainless Steel Iron, which she says is durable. For a lower-priced option she recommends theRowenta DW2171, which also has astainless-steelplate.

If you’re using a cheap iron, one way to elevate the experience is by using a wool pressing mat. “They’re usually about a half-inch thick or they go over your entire ironing board, and they lock in the heat and create steam from the bottom and you get a much better press, even with a very basic iron” says Friedlander. She’s partial to this one from Wooly Felted Wonders, and recommends picking up a basic stock size like 12x12 or 18x18. “Your piecing will come out much flatter,” she says.