You and the brothers are sacked out watching old "Bonanza" episodes with Daddy, so I'm going to squeak in a quick letter on the supplies you'll need to begin hand piecing. You've already picked a block, a style, and we've discussed fabrics, too. Now you'll need a few supplies before we start the actual process.
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| A sewing caddy keeps notions tidy and accessible. |
Absolute Essentials
Thread: I prefer 100% cotton Mettler thread in 40 weight because I can get it locally. It has the word "quilting" right on the spool. I use it for both piecing and quilting. Because I quilt in a wide variety of colors, I use primarily gray or tan thread. I also keep white, black, red, and navy on hand. Needles: I use a #10 between for both quilting and piecing. I prefer English needles like John James or Richard Hemming.
Scissors: You will need a pair of sharp fabric scissors as well as precision craft scissors for template material. A pair of thread snips is also handy, but not necessary to start.
Template Material & Pen: Shrinky dink plastic is my hands-down favorite template material. I place the rough side against the fabric and draw the template on the smooth side. A fine point permanent marker is necessary to mark on the plastic.
Pencils: A very sharp #2 or an 0.5 mechanical pencil works well for most fabrics. A crayola colored pencil in silver, yellow, or white works well for darker fabric.
Pins: Just a handful. I prefer silk pins, which are very fine.
Thimble: My hand piecing method requires a thimble. I like the clover ring thimbles made of plastic with a a perforated leather band around the exterior.
Seam Ripper: Sadly, you'll still need this. Sigh.
Sand and felt board: This is a piece of equipment unique to hand piecing. A 13" square lighweight board with a piece of sandpaper firmly adhered will hold fabric steady while marking with templates. A felt overlay allows it to be used to stage blocks in order until they're pieced. I purchased mine, but they can be made quite inexpensively, too.
Advantageous Extras
Rotary cutting supplies: Even for hand piecing, most blocks can be rotary cut saving a great deal of time.
Tailor's chalk/chalk wheels: Tailor's chalk makes marking around templates a breeze.
1/16" hole punch or Perfect Piecer: I use the dot method, so I like the ability to punch a fine hole. The perfect piecer from Jinny Beyer is a little faster and works well with rotary cut blocks.
Needle threader: Yup, my eyes are aging. I prefer the clover threaders, either the double-sided or the pack of three little square threaders with a thread cutting knife included.
Thread Heaven: Run the thread through the cobalt cube, and then run your fingers over the thread to remove static and prevent loop knots.
Project bag: A clear plastic bag with a zipper top allows you to take a few blocks with you. I usually sew in my lap while on the road, so I bring thread snips on a ribbon I can wear around my neck, a finger pincushion with a couple of needles and pins, a spool of thread (make sure it's locked!), and pre-cut pieces. If you plan to sew on the go often, wind a bobbin of thread on the machine, holding it against a block of Thread Heaven while it winds so it's "pre-treated".
Notions have always been a favorite of mine. I'll try to update these choices again someday.
Notions have always been a favorite of mine. I'll try to update these choices again someday.
Momma
Linked up at Homestead Barn Hop #111
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