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From: judymo
Date: 06-12-2007, 09:41 AM (1 of 15)
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I am thinking of getting into quilting, and I need to know what cutting tools are the best, I am aware that everyone has their favorites. which are the longest lasting cutter rotaries, Olfa, Fiskars, Clover, etc. that also goes for their mats, and anything else need for just beinning quilting, Thank you for any help Judymo |
User: judymo
Member since: 03-19-2005 Total posts: 185 
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From: Patty22
Date: 06-12-2007, 10:31 AM (2 of 15)
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I have an Olfa Mat that I've had for the last (hmmmmm......20+ years - first mat didn't last long but this one has really held up well). Same goes for the Olfa rotary cutters; I have them in three sizes. I love the Omnigrid rulers. If I were starting, I would limit it to a few to start - maybe the 3 x 18, the 12 1/2" square and the 6" square. Then if you're really into a specific project where a specialty ruler is needed you can decide if you want to make that kind of purchase. I have only purchased my rules with coupons (JoAnns 40 or 50% off) as it can become a hefty investment. Or let your family and friends know you would like this as a present. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 06-12-2007, 10:33 PM (3 of 15)
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I have had a 24"x36" Fiskars cutting mat for 5 years now but it's getting to where I will soon need to start using another one. I'm using a Fiskars rotary cutter. Works good for me. Have an new Olfa rotary cutter but haven't taken it out of the package yet. Make sure to get a rotary cutter with a safety shield that auto closes when you put it down. I'd agree with Patty about the Omnigrid rulers except that I would suggest a 6"x24" or 8.5"x24" ruler instead of the 3"x18". Reason is that you need the length to cut across the width of fabric. I have the yellow & black ones but I'd get the newer green models as they grip the fabric better. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 06-13-2007, 12:55 AM (4 of 15)
| Put some little round or square bits of fine sandpaper on the corners of your rulers. They grip your fabric but don't damage it. Pay attention on how to use your rotary cutter properly or you could really damage your fingers. I love all my rotary cutters but they can be harmful if your not careful. I don't have any but there are special gloves to wear to protect the fingers & hands. On the order that meat butchers use.Oh, you can buy the round dots of sand paper at Jo Ann's, Hancocks & Wal-Mart. These have glue on the back side. cheap too. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: judymo
Date: 06-13-2007, 07:17 AM (5 of 15)
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Thank you Patty, Hey Judee,& Beachgirl, for you input, it makes things for me easier when others let you know what the best products are and what not to do. I 'm going to start small like with pot holders, I know lots of people start out big, but I'm not ready for a full size quilt yet, need to learn the words and how to do's first. again thank you Judymo |
User: judymo
Member since: 03-19-2005 Total posts: 185
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From: Patty22
Date: 06-13-2007, 08:39 AM (6 of 15)
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Judymo.... About the quilted pot holder thingie.....  How about going to the library and seeing if they carry any books with small quilting projects, or if they can interlibrary loan some books for you. I would say...quilted purses (they're really popular now and Judy has made some beautiful zippered bags), seasonal wallhanging or maybe even placemats. I have a book, A Quilt for All Seasons, that I bought back in '86 and I still use it. It has a small 24" quilt for each month of the year. I'm making one right now (October) except I'm adding another border and embroidering a saying on it as a gift for a friend. These small type of quilts are fun and don't take that much fabric or equipment where you will get heavily invested into quilting. This way you can decide how well you like the activity before you start stashing the fabric in the hall cupboards and bathroom vanity as well as other hidden spaces. Beachgirl was right on about caring for your rulers AS WELL AS YOUR FINGERS. 
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: judymo
Date: 06-13-2007, 09:22 AM (7 of 15)
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I have bought 3 books, from crafters choice, you know the special they have you buy two over the next year or so, and get 3 free, more or less, one is 100 quick -to- quilt pot holders and the other is fat quarter quilts and the 3rd I forget, I'm at work so I dont' have the books right in front of me, but it was for small quilts. Judymo |
User: judymo
Member since: 03-19-2005 Total posts: 185
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From: plrlegal
Date: 06-14-2007, 11:55 PM (8 of 15)
Judymo why not check out this link here on this board. This is where I learned to quilt with the aid of our "quilt teacher" Joanne, who, by the way, we haven't heard fron in eons~~~~!!!  Her lessons are excellent and there are a lot of good quilters here to answer any questions you have.http://sew-whats-new.com/CMS/content/category/2/7/38/ Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 06-17-2007, 09:07 PM (9 of 15)
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Judy I'm still new to all this quilting stuff too and I started out with one of the hardest ones the stack and whack. Only because I took the class but it's a triangle quilt that is sewn on the bias of fabric and can stretch. If I knew then what i know now I would have started out with a simple table runner or some place mats. That way you can quilt it with your sewing machine.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 06-17-2007, 11:45 PM (10 of 15)
| When I first decided I wanted to learn how to quilt I started out with making quilted toss pillows. Wanted to finish something faster so I wouldn't give up. Then I went to large size baby quilts & lap quilts. I figured if I could do good at that then I could keep moveing onto larger & larger. It worked for me as I was self taught except for trying to remember how my mom did things plus had her old quilting magazines that were a great help. There were no quilting lessons given here at that time. All I had at that time was a straight stitch Singer but that was all I needed then. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: judymo
Date: 06-18-2007, 07:30 AM (11 of 15)
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Hi thank you to you all for your suggestions, advice and help, there are several places in my area that do quilt lessons, but do to the fact I wear hearing aids, its a little hard for me to read lips and look at what I am supposed to be doing with material, etc. so I thought I would try out of books, and perhaps video's dvd's and a lot of prayer. I have a book for quilted table runners and I have cut out the stuff for the 9 block quilt this site. waiting to get the rest of my tools in the middle of the week. judymo |
User: judymo
Member since: 03-19-2005 Total posts: 185
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From: elewis_34_1999@
Date: 06-28-2007, 02:04 PM (12 of 15)
Some good tips for a new quilter. I am having trouble useing a rotary cutting tool. None of my blocks are straight. Will get some of the sand paper disk and see if they help.
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User: elewis_34_1999@
Member since: 06-21-2007 Total posts: 1 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 06-28-2007, 02:38 PM (13 of 15)
| Another thing that should help you is this ruler. It's the lip edge ruler made by O'lipfa. Mine is a 23" to the lip edge. Has metric marks on the top & inches on the bottom . Both on front side of ruler. I got mine years ago at Jo-Ann's & use it an awful lot & not just for quilting. I do also have the sandpaper dots on all my rulers. Another thing that helps to be straight if your having trouble is to line up your ruler with the lines on your cutting mat. Good for starting out cutting straight & later on good for checking even. Remember too that you have to walk your fingers or knuckles along the ruler as you cut with the rotary cutter. Keep fingers back though. I tuck my fingers into my palm & walk my knuckles.You will find your own comfort zone in time. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: Patty22
Date: 06-28-2007, 03:33 PM (14 of 15)
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When you rotary cut....I try to think of it as being similiar to driving in the snow (try to anchor one wheel on stable ground). When you're rotary cutting and right handed: *anchor your ruler with your left hand and hold firmly. Make smooth cuts away from your with rotary cutter. Place part of your hand on the mat without fabric underneath if possible (small pieces). *don't try and cut more than four layers if you are a novice with the cutter. It is too easy for the fabric to shift. *always close your cutter when not in use (whenever you lay it down). It is a safety habit everyone should develop until it is second nature. You would never want one to be accidently knocked off the table opened...or have little hands grab it when you're not looking. IT IS A DANGEROUS TOOL. Hmmmmmm.....I'm sure others have more to add to the list..... I'll think some more. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: AdvaP
Date: 06-28-2007, 08:23 PM (15 of 15)
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and never leave your cutting mat in the car, or by a window that gets lots of sun. it will warp. I also save all my Joann coupons to use on tools. saves lots of money when you use those 40% off coupons.
Adva Price
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User: AdvaP
Member since: 10-15-2000 Total posts: 325 
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