Batting:

The batting is what's in between the top and the back of the quilt. It's what makes the quilting! There are many types of batting, after time, you will find what you like best.  Here are some other terms associated with batting. Read the product information on the package of batting before you make your decision.

Loft: the thickness of a batt. The more loft, the warmer the quilt. Use low loft for hand and machine quilting and for quilted garments. Use high or ultra loft for tied comforters.

Needling: putting the needle through the fabric as you quilt. Synthetic batts needle more easily than cotton.

Glazing and Bonding: processes that stabilize loose fibers and retard or prevent fiber migration. A glazed batt is coated on both sides with resin that holds the batt together and discourages fiber migration. A bonded batt is sprayed with resin. Both of these processes are used on cotton, polyester and cotton/poly blend batts.

Needle punching: another method for stabilizing loose fibers. A machine with barbed needles pounds the batt, twisting and tangling the fibers together.

Fiber Migration and Bearding: Loose fibers of batting tend to work their way out (or migrate) through the space between threads of woven cloth. When the strong synthetic fibers migrate through a quilt top, they don't break off as natural fibers do. Instead, they beard and rest on the quilt top.

Shrinkage: Synthetic battings do not shrink significantly when laundered, but cotton batting do if exposed to hot water and dryers. Quilts with wool batting should always be dry-cleaned.

Compass

An inexpensive school-supply compass will work to draw small circles and curves, but you may eventually need a ruler compass or yardstick compass attachment to draw larger circles. Would only need this if you are designing your own quilts.

Darning Foot

A sewing machine accessory you will need if you want to try free-motion quilting.

Iron and Ironing Board

Choose an iron that you can use on either steam or dry setting.

Needles

Hand-sewing needles are sized by number in two different ranges: numbers 1 though 12, and numbers 13 through 26; the higher the number in each range, the finer and shorter the needle.

Sharps are general, all purpose sewing needles that are best used for appliquéing and patchwork. Betweens are used for quilting. As you sew, you'll discover what size needle works best for you to do various tasks on different fabrics.

Pencils

Use pencils to mark fabric shapes for patchwork and appliqué and to mark quilting designs. Keep pencils sharp and mark thin lines.

For marking quilting designs, you will want something that is not permanent. Experiment with different pencils/markers to find what you like best.

Pins & Pincushions

Thin, sharp pins work best for piecing and appliqué. They should also be rustproof.

A simple stuffed pincushion or magnetic pin catcher will do, but the magnetic pin catcher sure is great when you drop all your pins on the floor!

Plastic-Coated Freezer Paper

Plain freezer paper can be found at your local grocery store. Freezer paper can be ironed onto the back of fabric. Often used for making templates. Also will stabilize your fabric if you want to sign or draw on it. Can be peeled right off when you're done!

Quilting Hoop

Used to keep the quilt layers close together and smooth, which facilitates quality stitching. A hoop makes it very easy to take your quilting wherever you go! They come in plastic and wood; round, square, or rectangular, and many different sizes. For the borders of a quilt, a semi-circle hoop is usually used.

Rotary Cutter & Cutting Mat

A rotary cutter makes cutting fabric easier, quicker, and more accurate. Most patterns now days are designed for rotary cutting...rather than templates. You must use your rotary cutter on a cutting mat, or you will ruin your rotary blade...and your work surface. An 18" x 24" cutting mat is a good size to have...should have a grid of 1" squares on it.

Rulers

There are a variety of different sizes of rulers designed to work with you rotary cutter. They are clear, plastic rulers marked with grids (usually with 1/8" markings), for easy measuring. These rulers have horizontal and vertical lines, and guidelines for cutting triangles and diamonds. Eventually, you will want a variety of sizes of rulers, depending on the project you're working on.

Safety Pins

Used for basting the layers of a quilt before quilting.

Scissors

You will want a good pair of dressmaker scissors used for only cutting fabric. Also a pair of utility scissors that you can use to cut paper and template plastic. You don't want to cut paper and plastic with your good fabric scissors!!

Seam Ripper

For those times that you need to "un-sew" something! (Also known as the dreaded frog stitch!)

Template Plastic

For making templates. Comes in many varieties; grid, plain, frosted, tinted, etc. Find what you like best.

Thimble

Choose a thimble to fit the middle finger of your sewing hand. It should fit snugly but not tightly on your finger. If you are buying a metal thimble, look for one with a flat end and tiny, deep dimples or grooves to hold the end of a needle securely as you quilt. Some quilter's prefer leather thimbles; other treat themselves to a silver or gold one!

Walking or Even-Feed Presser Foot

This is a handy sewing machine accessory for machine quilting and for sewing on binding. It will help feed the layers of your quilt through the machine evenly as you stitch.

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This site was last updated 01/05/08

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