If you’re a beginner, here are the most important quilting supplies and tools you’ll need to get started: sewing scissors, quilting thread, a rotary cutter and mat, quilting rulers, and sewing needles (watch the video above to see some of Jenny Doan's favorite quilting notions!).

Sewing pins are slender, pointed tools made of metal, plastic or other materials, used to temporarily hold fabrics together while sewing or quilting. There is no one fancy term that sewing pins are called because there are so many different types with different uses! However, the most common types of sewing pins are glass head quilting pins, quilting straight pins, ball-point pins and quilting basting pins. You may have heard of Dritz quilting pins before, which is a great fabric pins brand that's been around for years! No matter which brand or style of fabric pins that you prefer, they all serve the same purpose: help to keep the fabric in place and prevent it from shifting during the sewing process.

Simple patchwork, strip quilts, and panel‑based layouts deliver quick wins with minimal trimming. Sampler blocks showcase variety while teaching core techniques. Precuts compress cutting time and improve accuracy for new quilters. Use chain piecing to speed repetition without losing order .Trim blocks square after pressing to keep assembly smooth. Choose forgiving layouts with sashing if accuracy is still developing. Finish with a simple all‑over quilting design for momentum.

A sharp blade, accurate seam guide, and steady pressing routine solve most issues. Basic rulers (6"×24" and 12.5" square) cover the majority of cuts. A wool pressing mat and clapper yield crisp seams without stretching bias. Use a walking foot for long seams and layered assemblies .Label units and store in trays to protect edges between sessions .Clean lint and replace needles regularly to maintain stitch quality .Test tension on a scrap sandwich before quilting.

Quilt templates are used as guides for cutting fabric into specific shapes required for quilt blocks, as well as applique shapes. Quilting templates come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, including squares, triangles, circles, diamonds, and more complex shapes like hexagons or stars. Quilters can either purchase pre-made templates or make their own using durable materials like template plastic. Quilt templates are particularly useful for ensuring uniformity and precision when cutting fabric pieces for quilt blocks.

The answer question depends on personal preference, the specific project, and the type of fabric being used. However, one of the most versatile and widely used tools for cutting fabric is a fabric rotary cutter. Rotary fabric cutting tools offer precision, efficiency, ease of use, and versatility, and we are proud to stock some of the best rotary cutter brands available to today’s quilters.