One of the questions we get asked most often is which quilting and sewing gadgets we use. With all of the different products on the market, the new sewist can get lost and have a difficult time figuring out which items work the best.
And there is always something new and exciting for the seasoned sewist to find!
We at Needlepointers.com have decided to compile a list of our favorite quilting tools and tools for sewing that we love using in our sewing rooms. Here they are! And don’t forget that these are all great ideas for sewing gifts!
Rest assured, all of the sewing tools listed here are the actual items we personally use. There are links to all of the tools that we’ve found we can’t live without.
What is the greatest investment in quilting?
Above and beyond the quilting tools that are needed for this art, time and love of the process will be the greatest investment. We all have the same amount of time in the day.
The amount of time that you are willing to invest in a quilting project is the greatest investment. Piecing and quilting are not quick tasks, so the sewist must be ready to devote time to it.
That being said, if you are ready to devote your precious time to this most fulfilling art and hobby, we have the list of quilting tools you will love and that make great ideas for sewing gifts.
What is the best tool in marking the fabric?
Quilters tend to do a lot of marking in the process of making a quilt, from marking stitch lines, quilting lines, and to joining perfect points. Our favorite making pen is below. You’ll quickly see that Clover is one of our favorite brands of notions!
Scroll down to find the marking tool that we like best. The Charco Liner Pens will do the trick! We love them.
Just be sure when marking fabric with whatever tool used, to use a light hand. Pressing too hard can make the line harder to wash out.
What are the best cutting tools for quilting?
We have found that Accuquilt Go! Cutters are an amazing tool that will quickly and accurately cut the pieces for quilt tops. This would be an amazing quilting gift. There are different cubes with various shapes that go with the cutter.
This cutter is 90% faster than rotary cutting! Along with the Accuquilt Go!, a book of patterns comes along for the ride for inspiration.
For a demo and reviews with pros and cons of this cutting machine, visit our Accuquilt Demo and Review page.
We also have on our list the perfect set of scissors for sewing on the go or just to have handy for snipping threads and making fine, accurate cuts. Look below to see what Annette loves to use.
Scroll down for many more of our favorite tools for sewing and quilting. From threaders to fabric turners, we have you covered!
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Chris absolutely loves her Accuquilt Go! Fabric Cutter. She loves, loves, loves how quickly and accurately she can cut quilting block pieces. She uses it all the time. Learn more about this fabric cutting system here.
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Chris says this kit has saved her machine embroidery projects multiple times! This kit lets you reach under your hoop to cut the threads when a bird's nest occurs in the bobbin area. A MUST HAVE!
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Annette's favorite marking tools are Clover Charco Liner Pens which come in a variety of colors. The chalk marker's tapered point makes good marks that are easy to remove.
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This Clover Threader is one of Chris's favorite products. She had a lot of trouble threading needles, especially ones with small holes. She says it "works great" and recommends it.
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Turn tubes with ease with this set of turners. This is another tool Annette likes because it makes turning fabric tubes right side our easy, fast and convenient.
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Annette keeps this 6" long sewing guide handy at all times. The sliding marker will stay in place for repeated marking. Annette uses it for measuring and marking hems, seam allowances, marking buttonhole spacing and much more.
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Do you have dry hands? Gloves In a Bottle is our favorite to help protect hands while sewing, quilting and doing handwork. This is a great lotion that does not leave any type of residue on your fabric!
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This ironing board is perfect for quilters. It can be converted from a regular ironing surface to a quilters ironing surface by simply removing the cover, sliding the extension over the board followed by the cover, and you have a large ironing surface.
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This 4" pair of scissors is the perfect scissors for applique, cutting fabric in tight spaces and other handwork. And ideal for travel. Annette's favorite small portable scissor.
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Do you machine quilt projects? Do you safety pin baste them? Here is a tool you should have. Using Kwik Klip, safety pins close effortlessly, preventing broken nails, stuck fingers and the familiar painful indentations in fingers caused by closing hundreds of safety pins.
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Wendy loves here Martelli cutters. It's ergonomically designed to fit your hand nicely. It's comfortable and easy to use.
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This is a clear starch alternative with soil guard and wrinkle resister. Makes ironing easier, non-flaking even on dark fabrics, non-clogging, acid-free, leaves no residue behind, relaxes stubborn wrinkles, gives clothing and fabric a crisp, new finish.
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Chris does a lot of paper piecing so she likes to have an iron right next to her sewing machine. This Oliso mini project iron is her recommendation since it has the power of a full size iron in a compact design.
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Annette has been using this style of cutters for years and loves it. It's a simple design, produces clean, straight edges and is designed for both left and right-handed users. IT'S REASONABLY PRICED TOO!
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This product is a must-take to quilt retreats by Annette. It can be used next to her sewing machine making it convenient for trimming, foundation piecing, cutting around templates and pressing pieces.
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This product Annette takes to quilt retreats and classes. The sleek space-saving design folds down when not in use and makes it easily portable from place to place.
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Chris loves to keep a little steam iron next to her sewing machine and quickly iron while paper piecing.
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For those of you who follow us, you may have seen Annette use her favorite quilting tool for cutting fabric - The Quilter's Slidelock. It makes cutting fabric safer, easier and more accurate.
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When attending quilt retreats, Annette uses this travel case to hold her fabric and blocks in place. It also has convenient clear vinyl pockets, elastic loops, velcroed pin cushion and more for supplies.
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All quilters and sewers need a powerful iron in order to make professional looking projects. Chris and Annette have a Rowenta iron for safe and precise ironing with it's auto-off function for safety, anti-drip feature and precision tip for ultimate convenience.
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Annette uses self-threading needles when tying off and burying threads inside the quilt sandwich after quilting. They also work great when a thread is short and would make threading a regular needle very difficult. Annette recommends having these needles on hand.
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We at Needlepointers.com find sewing clips extremely handy when holding multiple layers of fabrics together such as bindings, hems and in bag-making, they leave no pinholes with working with leather, vinyl and cork, and don’t snag delicate fabrics, causing runs.
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The stiletto point enables you to hold pieces in place easily when sewing or ironing and is especially helpful when piecing or attaching bindings. Chris can't live without this handy tool.
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Chris has two sizes of these hoops for her embroidery machine and uses them almost exclusively now to hoop projects for stitching. These magnetic hoops make hooping your fabric easy! Available for many machines and sizes.
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Want an easy way to cut chain-pieced fabric? Chris loved this tool - the Bladesaver Thread Cutter. It's able to make quick work of cutting apart chain-stitched projects.
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A thread stand is a great addition to your sewing machine. Use this single-thread stand to hold spools and cones and start saving money by using larger spools. Our associates love this product.
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Best tool for trimming half-square triangles! Trim quilt blocks with ease & precision using this Trim-Lock quilt block trimming tool. Once you try this Trim-Lock tool, you won't use any other rulers!
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Tweezers are indispensable when sewing or quilting on the machine. It makes it easy to pull hard-to-reach thread from sewing machines and bobbin cases. It's a must-have tool.
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