The Simplicity Rotary Cutter Machine is no longer available
Singer s18 Studio Sewing Machine
Singer s18 Studio Sewing Machine
Singer claim to give you a high-performance machine for a fraction of the cost:
On the face of it, the Singer S18 looks like a great sewing machine for quilting. You can see by the image that it has that all essential extra throat space needed and conveniently located function buttons. Let’s have a look at the functions and features in more detail.
How to Quilt Books
I believe most of us crafters can’t resist a good book, they are a great source of new ideas and I just love adding how to quilt books to my collection!
Things have come a long way since the book in the image was published in 1921. Thousands have been published since then and I’ve put together a list of my top 5 favorite quilting books.
Brother Scan Cut Machine
Brother Scan Cut Machine
We know how expensive it is to keep buying different dies and different size quilting rulers to get the shape we want for our projects.
Well, how about a product that scans AND cuts, like the Brother Scan Cut Machine?!
A world’s first, you don’t need any cartridges dies or computer software.
You can scan a photo, sketch or an image and the [easyazon_link identifier=”B08HJH84NP” locale=”US” tag=”upcybabyclot-20″]Brother ScanNCut [/easyazon_link] will whatever shape you want.
Singer Futura xl 400 Computerized Sewing Embroidery Machine
Product – Singer Futura xl 400 Computerized Sewing Embroidery Machine
Price – Special Package only $1,799.00 – I want it all special!
Website – Sewing Machines Plus
Singer Futura xl 400 Computerized Sewing Embroidery Machine
The Singer Futura xl 400 Computerized Sewing Embroidery Machine is part of special package from Sewing machines Plus is packed with goodies.
Free Quilt Patterns to Print
There are thousands of quilting patterns available on the Internet, but it’s not so easy to find free quilt patterns to print.
I decided to have an in-depth look over at freequilting.com, part of a group of websites that offer free patterns for most crafts.
First Impressions
When first landing on the start page you are faced with a “pattern search” in the middle and a “join” form to the right. If you do a search and try to download the pattern you’ll be prompted to join. The navigation is well laid out with the patterns in sections:
- Applique Quilting
- Babies & Kids Quilt
- Easy Quilting for Beginners
- Quilted Accessories
- Quilted Clothing
- Quilted Home Decor
- Special Occasion Quilting
- Quilt Glossary
- Free-Quilting Ideas Blog
Quilting Materials Supplies
I’ve written reviews on some of the larger items we use as quilters but there are lots of other tools and notions that can be useful. Here are commonly used tools for quilting and the best place to purchase them
Quilting Materials Supplies
Wonder Clips are particularly good for holding binding in place while sewing and have 1/4″ and 1/2″ seam markings.
They can be used in place of pins for all sewing related tasks. They can also be used for card craft and knitting tasks where you need to hold pieces together.
They’re easy to see if you drop one and it’s also easy to see them on your project.
Even if you have arthritis in your hands they are easy to operate, easier that pins.
I LOVE CLOVER WONDER CLIPS!
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 Embroidery Sewing Machine
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 Embroidery Sewing Machine
Most quilters like to embellish with embroidery at some point. An embroidery sewing machine that is also suitable for quilting is ideal for this and Janome have produced a model they claim is perfect for this.
What Is A Good Iron For Quilting
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What is a Good Iron For Quilting
I’ve had many many irons over the years all promising the sun, moon and earth. Well not quite, but at the very least they should be non-drip (don’t you just hate those rusty water marks) and have a smooth glide sole plate. There’s also the issue of ergonomics, aching shoulders and wrists, we want to avoid this! So, for us quilters/sewers what is a good iron for quilting?
Oliso make irons specifically for quilting and today I’m taking a look at one of their models.
HQ Sweet Sixteen Quilting Machine
Product – HQ Sweet Sixteen Quilting Machine
Price: $6,495.00 with special bonus package! (List Price: $8,532.00)
Website – Sewing Machines Plus
Laurel Barrus, the founder of the Handi Quilter company designs machines with the ethos: “Designed by a Quilter, for Quilters”®.
Long Arm Quilting Machines
Rising in popularity at the moment, the long arm quilting machines trend looks set to continue. Designed so you can complete fabulous quilts more easily, they can save you LOTS of time. You’ll be able to produce more quality quilts in a shorter space of time with a long arm machine.
As opposed to a regular quilting machine a long arm machine will allow pieces up to 18 inches on a side. The long arm quilting table can be 10 to 14 feet wide making it easy to create a very large quilt. Long stitches and large patterns become simple when the piece is being sewn. It’s the machine that moves, the fabric remains in one place. You do need a dedicated space to set up one of these machines; they are not fold up and put away items!
Fons Porter Free Patterns
UPDATED – no longer free but still some great patterns
If you’ve been quilting even for a short time then you’ve probably heard of Fons and Porter and their fab quilting magazine. They also have a website chock full of information and today I’m going to have a look at the selection of Fons Porter Patterns. First though, let’s have a brief look at the Fons Porter history and how they got to where they are today.
Singer Special Edition Sewing Machine
Singer Special Edition Sewing Machine
The Singer Special Edition Sewing Machine is a glamorous looking sewing machine from Singer with a shiny metallic silver finish that certainly looks good! it won the Women’s Choice Award which is based on a national survey from over 5000 women.
Let’s look under the hood and see if beauty is only skin deep by checking out at all the functions and features this sewing machine has to offer.
Sewing Ergonomics – How to Sew Without Getting Backache
My own recent troubles with backache prompted me to do some research into how to sew without getting backache! If you’ve suffered from this you’ll understand how painful it is, also frustrating when you have quilting projects you want to get on with. This article “Sewing Ergonomics – How to Sew Without Getting Backache” will get you back on track for pain-free sewing!
How to Patchwork Quilt
More and more people want to learn how to patchwork quilt, it’s a “trending” craft according to Google! There’s an overwhelming amount of info out there and there’s no definitive answer, however, first of all you should know some essentials.
HOW TO PATCHWORK QUILT – BEGINNER’S ESSENTIALS
Fabric – There are different layers to consider when choosing fabric, read this guide for more information on choosing fabrics for quilting.
Cutting – First understand what a rotary cutter is and how it can help. You can also use a fabric cutter which will quickly cut set shapes. Whatever you choose make sure to do some cutting practice first on scrap fabrics.
Quilting terms – become familiar with quilting terms and what they mean. For example, do you know what a quilting ruler is, or what batting is? Check out my glossary, there are simple explanations for each term.
Juki tl 2000qi Long Arm Quilting Machine
Juki tl 2000qi Long Arm Quilting Machine
[easyazon_link asin=”B004C04YII” locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”upcybabyclot-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]The Juki tl 2000qi [/easyazon_link]long arm quilting machine is not strictly a long arm machine but is classed as one for domestic use.
Juki is more well known for industrial machines and have produced theTL-2000Qi for the domestic market.
Quilters Journal Book
[easyazon_link identifier=”1604689161″ locale=”US” tag=”upcybabyclot-20″]A Quilter’s Journal[/easyazon_link] should be a must for all quilters. A lot of work goes into the quilts we make, from the first design idea to fabric choices and right through to the finishing touches. It makes sense to have a quilters journal book of all this hard work. Whether you keep the quilt for yourself or give it as a present it’s always good to be able to look back at previous projects. I’m sure you’ve sometimes thought “I wish I’d taken a picture,” a quilters journal will make sure you never have this thought again! I’ve done this for my other passion, knitting. I keep a record and refer to it if I’m looking for inspiration for a new project or am stuck on a technical aspect.
If you sell your quilts you can keep a record of who purchased and the price paid. Same with gifts, keep a note of the recipients.
Janome Memory Craft
Janome Memory Craft
Janome have a few memory craft models available, today I’m going to be looking at the Janome Memory Craft Horizon 8200QCP Special Edition With Exclusive Bundle
This is advertised as a machine for advanced sewing with advanced features and sewing speeds of up to 1000 stitches per minute. Many of the features are designed specifically for quilters including a 9” x 5” throat space. First let’s take a look at the functions and features.
Simplicity Bias Tape Machine
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Simplicity Bias Tape Machine
Have you ever spent hours ironing bias seam binding with burnt fingers too!? If you like to make your own bias tape, and most quilters do, then the Simplicity Bias Tape Machine claims to makes the job easier and speed up the process.
Quilting Fabric
Choosing your quilting fabric is perhaps the most important part of creating a new project, whether it’s a small quilting project or a large one.
There are three elements to making a quilt so it’s important to choose the right quilt fabric for each stage.
- Top of the quilt, a combination of colors made up of quilt blocks.
- Quilt batting fabric which goes in the middle.
- Backing fabric for quilts, a complimentary color to the top.
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960
The [easyazon_link asin=”B004RDH7Y8″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”upcybabyclot-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist 600-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine with Extension Table, Bonus Accessories and Hard Cover[/easyazon_link] is a multi-function computerized sewing machine suitable for all levels, from beginners to experienced.
It has an array of functions and features not usually available at this price point.
If you have a basic sewing machine and want to move on to more complex sewing projects like quilting you should consider this one.
What is a Quilt Block
If you’re a beginning quilter then one of the first terms you’ll hear is “quilt block.” So what is a quilt block? Traditionally, quilts were more often used to make bed covers and were sewn by hand. Because of the difficulty managing to sew a large quilt, smaller blocks were made. These smaller blocks of fabric could be made in a variety of patterns or a repeating pattern which were then sewn together to form the whole quilt.
By breaking up the quilt pattern into manageable pieces, you can lay easily lay it down and then pick it up again, gradually building the blocks until you have enough to make the quilt.
What is a Quilting Ruler
One of the questions often asked by beginning quilters is “what is a quilting ruler” and why do I need one?” I’ll explain here what a quilting ruler is and how it helps quilters.
What is a quilting ruler?
There’s nothing mysterious about a quilting ruler! It’s a tool that’s been devised to make cutting simpler for patch working and quilting. A quilting ruler is used to make precise cuts in fabric. Generally made of clear plastic there are measurements painted across the ruler in a grid pattern. These measurements have different angles to help quilters to cut a variety of shapes. They come in different sizes and shapes but most quilters will start with a rectangular quilting ruler measuring 4″ by 12″. It is designed to be used with a rotary cutter and comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set
Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set
The Fiskars Rotary Cutting set has everything you need for cutting fabric pieces and is a great choice for beginners. With a 45mm rotary cutter, cutting mat and quilting ruler Fiskars have created this convenient set for both new and experienced quilters.
What is a Fabric Cutter
What Is a Fabric Cutter? If you’ve always used scissors or a rotary cutter to cut your quilting fabric you might not have heard of a fabric cutter. So what is a fabric cutter? It is a tool that is a precise and fast way of cutting your fabric. A good fabric cutting system will … Read more
Interweave for Quilting
Interweave store is a well-known crafts store, but have you looked at Interweave for quilting? The dedicated quilting section offers everything you could want to satisfy your quilting passion! They also have a membership section which is free to join and gives you access blogs, forums, videos, and free stuff!
Brother PQ1500S High Speed Quilting and Sewing Machine
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Brother PQ1500S High Speed Quilting and Sewing Machine
The Brother PQ1500S High-Speed Quilting and Sewing Machine is a domestic quilting sewing machine suitable for beginners and experienced quilters. With an array of functions and the fabulous price point, it would make a great addition to your sewing room. This sewing machine is a good machine for tackling your quilting projects and is great for larger quilts with the large throat space. It’s has a high-speed straight stitching function sewing up to 1,500 stitches per minute!
Sewing Machines for Quilting
What are the things to take into account when you’re looking for a sewing machine for quilting?
Choosing a machine for quilting is a much different proposition than choosing one for basic occasional use. If you’re on a limited budget it’s more important to have a reliable machine that sews well than have extra bells and whistles on an unreliable one.
Sewing Machine for Quilting – essential things to look for
- A good straight stitch – essential when piecing fabric together.
- The option to disengage feed dogs – needed for free motion quilting.
- Variety of feet – these add extra functionality and a walking foot is a must for moving the 3 layers through evenly.
- Throat space – this is the space on the right of the needle where your quilt will get shoved through during quilting, the bigger the better!
- Variable speed motor – helps to give good control when free motion quilting.
Extension table – to the left of the needle for those larger quilts.- Marked measurements on the needle plate – this makes it much easier to achieve accurate 1/4″ seams.
- Build quality – it’s important to check this. Sewing quilts puts a heavy strain on any machine, a flimsy plasticky machine won’t last long.
- Lighting – look for sewing machines with more than one light that are angled well onto the work surface. Bright LED lights are the best.
- Instructions – are they easy to follow and does the machine come with a DVD?
Welcome to Tools For Quilting Dot Com
Hello, and welcome to my new website about tools for quilting. We quilters need plenty of tools to create beautiful quilting projects and it’s good to have them all in one place! Here at toolsforquilting.com my aim is to gather all the best tools, and quilting related tips trick and articles in one place. Please feel … Read more