When it comes to quilt making, the tools and equipment you use are just as important as the fabric you choose. The proper tools can make creating your quilt easier and more enjoyable. They also play a vital part in the result, as using appropriate equipment can affect the precision and accuracy of your efforts.
Here are some of the best tools and equipment for machine quilting
PFAFF Sewing Machine
It’s essential that your machine is able to handle multiple layers, as you are stitching layers of fabric and batting together. With the PFAFF, the fabric is “walked through” from the top and the bottom at the same time so there is no fabric slippage, making it ideal for quilting.
Clover Blue Water Soluble Marker
Be very careful when choosing a water soluble marker, as cheaper products can ruin a lot of hard work. Some of them claim to wash out, but they return as a brown stain anytime there is a bit of moisture in the air. The Clover Blue Water Soluble Marker claims to wash out, and it does…….a must have.
Clover (Kuroha) Thread Clippers
Another must have for machine quilting. This quality precision clipper has an excellent sharp cutting edge that goes right to the tip of the blade. You won’t have to fight with scissors, which are much too cumbersome, when you need to cut threads on the underside of your work.
WashAway Thread
This is a water soluble thread that will dissolve in water. Perfect for Trapunto and other times when you want a temporary thread.
KwikKlip
No more broken nails, pricked fingers and sore fingertips. Using KwikKip makes basting your quilt layer easier, safer and faster because the safety pins close with ease. The time it takes to pin baste is reduced dramatically.
Madeira Monofilament Thread
This “invisible” thread is a fine, soft and flexible monofilament that is ideal for machine quilting. It comes in clear and smoke colour. The clear is good on light fabrics while the smoke works well on darker colours.
Selection of Needles
Choosing the correct needle plays a big role in machine quilting. There are quilting needles, topstitch needles, denim needles, metallic needles, and embroidery needles. Using incorrect needles can result in thread breakage, skipped stitches and bad tension. Before making your needle choice you need to take into account what thread you will use (is it thick, thin, rough or smooth) and then what the needle will be pushing through (weight and type of fabric, appliqué).
Selection of Threads
You will need many different types of thread to play with – choice is a good thing to have! Depending on the project, you want to quilt, the thread types available each have something special to offer.
