It’s been almost two years since I decided to give quilting a try. I’ve had a mishap or two. I’ve made a handful of rather imperfect quilts. But I still have a mile-long list of quilts I want to make and fabric I want to use.
In other words, despite a bump or two in the road, I think I’ll be making quilted projects for a good long time. It’s a hobby that gives me the joy of creating something and the excitement of learning new things, while being the perfect backdrop for catching up on podcasts and audiobooks.
Along the way, I’ve discovered quilting tools that I now consider indispensable. Oh — and I’ve learned that these little tools and accessories are sometimes called “notions” in the quilting world. Today, I thought I’d share five of my favorite notions that are VERY affordable — just in case you’re ever looking for the perfect little gift for a quilting friend.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase. Specifically, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases. See my disclosure page for more information.
1. Magnetic Pin Bowl
It’s official: I will never be without this adorable magnetic pin bowl. First of all, it’s cute. Second, it’s perfect for holding my pins between uses or for sitting next to my machine so I can toss in pins as I remove them from my current project. And third, the magnet is strong enough that if I drop a pin and can’t see it (you know, aging eyes and all), I can hover this bowl over the table or floor and it will grab that pin for me. And yes, I’ve had to do that more than once.
2. Little House Pins
When I started quilting, I thought a pin was a pin was a pin. What could possibly be the difference between the countless varieties of sewing pins out there? But oh, I was wrong.
These Little House Pins are, in my opinion, the very best when it comes to quilt piecing. They are so very thin, which helps to not distort the fabric when you’re trying to line up your points. The tips are super-sharp and they just glide right into your fabric. (Not to mention the fact that they come in this cute little tin.) By far, these are my favorite pins.
3. Wonder Clips
Yes, I know that everyone already knows the wonder of Wonder Clips. But I couldn’t leave them off my list because they really are as wonderful as everyone says. Perfect for holding my binding in place while I’m stitching it to the back of my quilt; ideal for grouping fabric that I’ve cut and need to keep sorted; far less dangerous to step on than pins! They a multipurpose notion, and I always have a handful nearby. Get your friend a small pack of 10, or go for 50 — you can never have too many!
4. Upgraded Seam Ripper
Look: we quilters don’t like to think about the fact that sometimes, we need to get out the seam ripper and undo all that we’ve just done. It’s no fun, but it is a fact of any quilter’s life. Until we are perfect quilters (which I’m pretty sure will never happen), we will occasionally need to rip out a seam in order to redo it. Thankfully, there are seam rippers like this one that are comfortable to hold and have a handy thing-a-ma-bob on the end that’s perfect for cleaning up little bits of thread after the ripping is done. If you have to use a seam ripper, might as well make it this one.
5. Bobbin Buddies
After I had been quilting for a while, I realized I had a problem. I had half-used bobbins of thread everywhere, and couldn’t remember which spool they went with. These handy Bobbin Buddies help solve that problem. By allowing me to keep my bobbins attached to my spools, they save me time rummaging through my supplies and then carefully squinting in very bright light to see if I can match up orphaned bobbins and spools. It’s the notion I never knew I would need, but quickly came to appreciate.
I’m definitely a “gadget-girl” when it comes to all my hobbies, but I’ve found these five quilting notions to be immensely helpful, practical, and affordable. Can’t beat that!
Thanks for stopping by!
Leave a Reply