Creating your first handmade quilt can seem like an overwhelming project, and you may not know exactly where to begin. Approaching what may seem to be a complicated sewing project can be easier when you have all your supplies ready before you begin. When you shop for patterns, fabrics and other supplies, you can avoid having to make extra trips to the store if you know in advance the things you will need. You may find you have many of these items at home already and won’t have to purchase them. Following are supplies you will need.

You need to start with a pattern for your quilt top. For your first quilt you may want to select a less complicated pattern with straight seems rather than curved seams or difficult

angles to sew.

Next you need fabrics in a variety of colors and prints for your quilt top. Be creative in selecting the prints and colors of the fabrics. Check your pattern for the yardage of fabric needed.

Batting for the middle of your quilt is available in a variety of types and materials. You can also use an old blanket, which will make your quilt especially warm.

For your quilt backing you will need a piece of fabric that is just slightly larger than the finished quilt top will be. A flat sheet makes a nice backing for your quilt. Be creative and select a color or print for the backing, rather than always using plain white.

You will need a tape measure to measure the size of the quilt pieces. Rulers with grid marks which make it easy to measure sizes and angles for your quilt pieces are available in a variety of sizes.

Be sure you have a good pair of sewing scissors. Scissors used to cut fabric should not be used to cut anything else. Cutting paper and other things will dull your scissors to the point they will not cut fabric.

Rotary cutters can make cutting quilt pieces go much quicker since you can cut through two or three layers of fabric at once.

If you use a rotary cutter you will need a cutting mat. Without a cutting mat, the blade from the rotary cutter will scratch the surface of your table or countertop.

You will need regular sewing thread to sew your quilt top together, but use a high quality thread to assure your quilt top will hold together and withstand use.

Sewing your quilt top together is quicker with a sewing machine. It is possible, however, to hand sew your quilt pieces into a beautiful quilt top and still find it will hold up after many years of use.

Once you have your quilt pieces cut out and sewn together into a lovely quilt top, you are ready to proceed with the quilting stage. Special quilting straight pins and large safety pins make it easier to keep the quilt top, batting and backing together.

You will need a quilting pen or pencil to mark the quilting pattern. Special quilting pencils are available where the markings will disappear.

When you are ready to begin the quilting process, you will need needles (size 9 or smaller). A needle threader comes in handy since quilting threat is a littler thicker than regular sewing thread.

Quilting thread is necessary also. Regular sewing thread is good for putting your quilt top together, but it is not strong enough for the actual quilting.

For hand quilting, using a thimble is absolutely necessary. This helps push the needle through the layers of fabric and batting without pushing it through your finger as well.

Of course, if you are hand quilting you will need quilting frames. The quilting portion of your quilt top can also be done by sewing machine. Many books are available with directions for machine quilting.

Having all the materials, tools and supplies together before you begin a handmade quilting project will save time. You will proceed from one step to the next without having to search for what you need or for making additional trips to the store. Your time can then be spent on actually making your quilt. Soon you will have a lovely handmade quilt to show off or give as a gift to a special person in your life.