Quilting tools have come far beyond the basic needle and thread

Originally, quilting tools were the same tools that were used when sewing: needle, thread and scissors. Maybe a marking pencil, if you were lucky. These are still all you really need to make a quilt. But with the growth in the popularity of quilting, tools made specifically for quilters are being produced to make the time spent on quilting easier, more productive and fun. I've collected a lot of tools over the years and here are some of my favorites.

Rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler - By using these 3 tools, you can cut 2-3 layers of fabric without marking it first and save your hands from the pain of cutting with scissors.

1/4" seam foot - this attachment to your sewing machine helps you accurately sew a 1/4" seam.

Block Marker ruler - This large square ruler is used to trim blocks to sizes from 6" to 16". It makes trimming multiple blocks so quick, easy and accurate.

Add-A-Quarter ruler - this little ruler has one long edge marked at 1/4". It helps you add a seam allowance to any pattern piece you need to cut.

Printed Treasures fabric sheets - these paper-backed, treated sheets of fabric are ready to load in your printer and have pictures, labels, or whatever you can create on the computer printed on them.

Precut templates - plastic templates come in many shapes and various sizes to help you accurately cut fabric into specific shapes.

Quilting stencils - these plastic sheets have quilting designs precut into them. All you do is lay the stencil on top of your quilt sandwich and mark the design. You will need to do this several times by moving the stencil to a new spot, lining it up with your previous markings and marking in the new spot. When you have marked the whole area you wish to quilt with the pattern, you're ready to quilt (by hand or machine).

Quilting gloves - these gloves are made with little rubber dots on the fingers and palms to help you guide your quilt when machine quilting.

Binding Clips - these little clips will help you add binding to your quilts. You only need to use one hand to work them and your other hand is free to keep sewing.

Share your favorite quilting tool with us!

Do you have one quilting tool that you just can't live without? Or have you just discovered something that makes quilting much easier and fun for you? Tell us about it here...

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