As a new quilter, you might not be sure which supplies are for hand quilting. Some things are needed regardless of whether you will be hand quilting or machine quilting. Others are hand quilting supplies that you wouldn't use for machine quilting. Let's take a look at the primary ones, and a few extras. Some hand quilting supplies are even cheap!

Basic Sewing Supplies You Need

When quilting, as when sewing, there are basic supplies. Scissors are an important supply whether hand quilting or sewing a dress. Quilters often use a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler when cutting pieces, but snipping threads is best done with a small pair of scissors. At the sewing machine, pieces will need to be cut apart, and at the quilt, threads will need to be cut, too.

Also, be sure to have a seam ripper. While none of is want to make mistakes, they seem to be inevitable, especially when we're learning a new skill. It's smart to have a seam ripper on hand and plan to use it than to not have one and be surprised or disappointed in ourselves when things don't go perfectly. Sometimes we need to do a little "reverse sewing".

Of course, thread is a necessary supply for hand quilting. You will need basic, ordinary cotton wrapped polyester to sew at the sewing machine (though it can be done by hand), to put the pieces for the top of the quilt together. After the top is finished, you will need quilting thread for hand quilting the quilt. Quilting thread is sold right by the regular thread, but it is labeled as quilting thread. It is thicker, more substantial than regular thread – so that it can withstand the tugging and pulling of the quilting process as well as hold up to everyday use. Quilting thread is now available in many colors, but the most popular, by far, is white.

Quilting Supplies

Once your quilt top is made, you'll need other quilting supplies for hand sewing. You'll need a way to mark where on the quilt you'll be hand sewing. Many quilters use a pencil for this, but there is also a new product called a pounce pad that does this quickly and easily. The pounce pad is filled with powder. The pad is then wiped over the top of the stencil of the pattern you'll be quilting. This leaves powder lines of where to quilt. After quilting, the lines can be erased by ironing or steaming, or (for some types) brushing the chalk away. Usually, white powder is used, but there is also a blue powder for when white won't show well enough against your fabric.

Stencils can also be a vital part of quilting. A stencil is an easy way to mark more intricate patterns than just following a seam. Many stencils are available at quilting stores, both brick and mortar and online, so you will probably find the style you want.