When you take up quilting, there are many notions, or items that will make your task easier and more fun. These specialty items are available online, in craft shops, department stores and quilt shops. While not all are necessary, they really do come in handy.

Metal-edged rulers are used when creating templates and when cutting cardboard and fabric with a rotary cutter or knife.

Metre rules are used with set squares to cut lengths of fabric.

Set squares are used to measure accurate right angles and are used with metre rules to cut lengths of fabric.

Tape measures are flexible measuring tools used for measuring lengths of fabric.

Pair of compasses are used for drawing circles.

Vanishing markers crate special marks that will fade n contact with water.

Dressmaker's wheels and chalk are used to directly mark fabric. The chalk will brush off.

Dressmaker's scissors and shears are used for cutting fabric only.

Paper scissors are used for cutting paper.

Embroidery scissors are small, sharp and often decorative scissors that are used in quilting to cut thread and trim fabric.

Pinking shears have serrated blades. They are used to create decorative edges and prevent fraying.

Rotary cutters are used with a cutting mat. They are great for cutting multiple pieces that are exactly the same, at the same time. Rotary cutters are available in different sizes. Small cutters work best for cutting curves and a few layers of fabric. Large cutters cut many layers at a time and are ideal for cutting long straight lines.

Cutting mats are made especially for use with rotary cutters. They protect both the tabletop and the blade. Mats with printed grids are useful for cutting right angles.

Quilter's needles are used for hand sewing appliqué and patchwork. Betweens are used for making smaller stitches.

Crewel needles are used for working embroidery stitches.

Quilting pins are longer than dressmaker's pins and pass through several layers of fabric easily.

Safety pins are sometimes used in basting quilt blocks together.

Beeswax is applied to quilting thread before stitching so that the thread passes smoothly through the fabric.

Thimbles are essential for hand quilting. They are used to push the needle through several layers of fabric at once. Many styles are available. Some quilters and sewers collect thimbles.

Unpickers-or rippers are used to remove stitches.

Irons are used for pressing patchwork seams and to remove wrinkles from fabric.

Embroidery hoops are used while quilting. Wooden frames are usually used for hand quilting. Plastic frames with metal spring closures are used for machine quilting.

Ribbon may be used to embellish appliqué or crazy patchwork. It may also be used to edge a border. Ribbon may be velvet, satin or manmade material.

Trimmings such as fringing, pompon tape; tassels and flat ribbon tape may be used to make unusual edgings or to embellish a patchwork piece.

Lace can be used to embellish appliqués.

Quilters' gloves offer protection when using rotary cutters and needles.

Needle threaders make threading needles a breeze.

Any of the notions listed above would make a great gift for your favorite quilter.

Embroidery is enjoying resurgence in popularity, much the same as quilting and knitting and other hand crafts.  Many crafters who enjoy quilting also end up enjoying embroidery and might feel as if they have torn loyalties-which craft to pursue in the small amount of time available for hobbies?  The good news is that quilting and embroidery make excellent companions.  Crafters who love quilting but are attracted to the depth and color that embroidery stitches offer can follow both their loves by combining the two crafts.

A quilt embellished with embroidered stitches is one of the most beautiful hand-crafted creations imaginable.  Take a look at some of the "crazy quilts" from the Victorian era.  These quilts are most often made of silk, often from leftover men's ties or other bits of fabric, and were pieced together in a random manner (hence the name) and then heavily embellished with embroidery.  Even if your interest in quilting slants more toward traditional quilts, it's worth taking a look at these crazy quilts to get ideas for using embroidery to embellish your quilts.  Crazy quilts use embroidery extensively, in many cases covering nearly every bit of the quilt's surface, but you can use touches of embroidery here and there on your quilts or quilted clothing to give it depth and texture. 

Embroidery stitches are easy to learn, and you may even know some already.   Browse through sites on the internet, and you'll find many with clear photos or pictures of embroidery stitches.  Some common embroidery stitches you might want to use include blanket and chain stitch for outlining, and feather, herringbone, lazy daisy, straight and cross stitches for decorative touches. 

Many quilters enjoy doing appliqué as part of their quilting techniques, and embroidery is a natural partner to appliqué.  The process of appliqué involves layering one fabric atop another, as opposed to sewing pieces of fabric together, and embroidery stitches such as the blanket stitch can be used to decorate the edges of the appliquéd piece.  Or perhaps you may want to use embroidery on the background fabric, to emphasize the appliquéd pieces.  The manufacturers of embroidery floss have kept pace with developments in the world of crafting, and now offer floss in an array of fibers, including perle cotton, rayon, and silk and even linen and hemp.  They also feature brilliant colors, with some even offering hand-dyed and variegated flosses.

Many quilters prefer to do their quilting by machine, instead of hand, and these same quilters may also prefer to do their embroidery by machine.  With the huge variety of incredibly powerful sewing machines on the market, this is a snap.  Many sewing machines have embroidery functions with extensive lists of stitches, which are as easy to accomplish as flipping a switch on the machine.  As with embroidery floss, there are many specialty threads available for machine embroidery.

Look into adding embroidery to your quilting and open up a whole new world of quilting and crafting pleasure to your life.

Appliqué is a quilting technique which involves applying layering one fabric above another and sewing it on.  The term appliqué comes from the French word appliquer, which is a French verb meaning "to put on."  Even though the word comes from the French, the technique has been used in many cultures and throughout history, with the earliest examples of appliqué being found thousands of years ago. Learning the uses and how-tos of appliqué will expand the possibilities of quilting enormously for you.  Appliqué is a versatile technique which is useful for design options regular quilting can't accomplish.

The first step in learning appliqué is selecting a design.  Small, intricate shapes will not work well for this technique, at least not when you are first learning.  Start with a simple shape for your beginning appliqué project.  Something basic like a circle or heart will serve you well for your first attempt.  In order to create a pattern for your appliqué design, many people choose freezer paper, because it is stiff without being too thick.  Trace your design onto the freezer paper and cut it out and then you can easily trace your appliqué onto the fabric you've selected cotton is a good choice).  Next, carefully cut the appliqué design out, leaving 1/8th inches all around. 

In order to stabilize the appliqué, you can either glue the freezer paper to the fabric design, or pin it.  Now you will have to deal with the raw edges.  Since the fabrics are being layered atop one another, as opposed to being sewn in seams as with traditional quilting, it's very important to learn to finish the raw edges so they won't unravel and be unsightly.  One way to do this is to take your scissors and carefully snip to the marked line and then press the seam allowance under all the way around your design.  Use the tip of a Popsicle stick or a chopstick to help smooth the little edges of fabric down. 

Now position the appliqué design where you want it on the base fabric and hand stitch it down.  There are several possibilities for stitching your appliqué.  Do you want to hide the stitches or use it as a decorative element for your appliqué?  If you want to hide the stitching, blind stitch or hem stitch are good possibilities.  For decorative touches, try buttonhole stitching.  You can use any embroidery stitch that strikes your fancy, but with some of the more complicated stitches it's a good idea to anchor your appliqué with a hem stitch first.

The last step is to very carefully cut a small slit in the background fabric only, behind the appliqué.  Be certain not to cut through the appliqué itself!  Then gently reach in and remove the freezer paper.  Now turn your appliqué over and press it, smoothing the edges and taking care if you've used a decorative embroidery stitch.  That's it!  That's how easy it is to learn to appliqué.  Once you've tried your hand at appliqué, you will be glad you've added it to your quilting repertoire.

For the quilting enthusiast, one of the most important considerations is the choice of fabric.  Let's face it; a quilt's beauty is totally dependent on what fabric the quilter chooses.  If a quilt is unattractive and doesn't beg you to reach out and touch it, it probably has a lot to do with the fabric chosen to create it.  Quilters in the know solve such potential problems by choosing fabrics from companies that they trust.  Based in California, Hoffman Fabrics is a company who has proven their value to quilters over many years, since 1924, in fact.

Visit any quilting website that sells fabric and the name Hoffman will pop up.  They specialize in high-quality screen-printed cottons and blends.  Hoffman also produces hand-painted and dyed fabrics.  Every year the company introduces two new lines of fabric, which they call "colorful prints and luscious Balis." They call their fabrics "inspiring" and that is not marketing hype.  One look at the abundant richness of the color and designs of Hoffman Fabrics and you will see why they have been adopted by quilters as a must-have cloth.   In return, Hoffman has shown incredible support to quilters.  This is evident in the Hoffman Challenge, a contest which started in 1987. 

Every year, the talents at Hoffman Fabrics choose one of their upcoming fabric designs to feature in the Challenge.   Quilt-makers, clothing and accessory designers and doll-makers are then challenged to use the fabric to design an original item.  The winning entries are then featured in a traveling show which stops at galleries, museums, shops, and quilting guilds.  The first year of the Hoffman Challenge, 94 quilters entered.  Since then, up to 700 entries a year has been received.  The traveling show itself is so popular that 12 collections now travel nationwide, with some stops in Canada as well.

Besides the Challenge, Hoffman actively promotes the art of quilting in other ways.  The company has paired with designer McKenna Ryan of Pine Needles Designs to create patterns based on Hoffman fabrics.   Ryan says she likes to use Hoffman batik fabric for appliqué work because it has a high thread count that prevents fraying.  The designer, like so many other quilters, is also appreciative of the depth of color and texture in Hoffman fabrics.  Using these fabrics, she can design incredibly lush and intricate quilts based on nature.

Perhaps one of the secret's to the company's success is the family nature of the business.  Three generations of Hoffman's are currently involved in the daily operations of the firm.  It may interest contemporary quilters to know that much of the company's design philosophy stems from the fifties, when Philip and Walter Hoffman, sons of the original founder, joined the company.  They brought with them their love of surfing and translated it to original designs of the ocean, beaches, and surfing life.  Combining their passions with a knack for seeking out unusual printing processes for fabrics, the Hoffman sons helped to create a company that is beloved of quilters everywhere. 

Quilting is a craft that has been around for centuries. For hundreds of years, the Chinese have used quilted cloth for their padded winter clothing. The Crusaders found that the quilted shirts worn by Arabs offered a great deal of protection under their chainmail. They even brought the idea back home in the 13th century. The process was adapted by European women for the use in creating bedcovers.

Quilting came to America with the Pilgrims, in the 16th century. Lack of resources made it necessary for the settlers to recycle their clothing and other fabrics; they made quilt tops, cutting the fabric into smaller pieces and patching or clouting it over and over until it wore out completely. These first quilts were more practical than pretty, but as the settlers prospered the designs became more colorful and elaborate. Appliqué also became a popular way of decorating the quilts and the patchwork quilt was officially born.

Around this time quilts became associated with the celebration of important events. Specific designs were created for specific reasons. The Double Wedding Ring design was used to mark a marriage or anniversary. This design was made from interlocking rings, each constructed from tiny patches. It was a very time consuming project, and usually was worked by multiple quilter's at the same time.

These days' patchwork quilts are traditionally made from scraps left over from past sewing projects. Not all scraps are suitable for this purpose. Loosely woven fabrics, such as muslin, are weak and prone to distortion, while very tightly woven fabrics, such as ticking, are not flexible enough and hard to stitch. Cotton is the best fabric to use, especially for inexperienced quilters. Once a quilter is more experienced they may add other fabrics like silk, lightweight wool and so on.

The color of a quilt is up to the creator. Most quilters plan their project carefully, or follow an established pattern. Making test patches is a great way to experiment. Colors are usually sorted into tones, light, medium and dark. Using tone helps to create depth and design. Textured fabric also creates different effects.

Pre-wash all fabrics in mild detergent and warm water before starting a quilt. Any fabrics that may run should be washed separately. When the fabrics are dry they should be ironed, either with a steam iron, or a dry iron and a clean damp cloth.

Quilts are made of three layers. The top piece is the layer that is decorated and most elaborate. The middle piece is a layer of batting, or wadding that provides warmth. The third piece is the backing. These three layers are held together with lines of stitching. These lines may be worked in a grid, in straight rows or elaborate patterns. Originally they were sewn by hand with a needle. Today some quilters still produce quilts this way, while others prefer machine quilting.

In the pioneer days the only equipment needed to produce a quilt included a needle, thread and material, and hopefully a pair if shears and a thimble. A wooden frame would be constructed to allow the quilter to use both hands, or to enable more than one sewer to work at a time. Quilting bees were popular social gatherings. Today many quilters prefer to use a large wooden hoop to make their projects more portable.

The boom in quilting as a hobby and craft has caused manufacturers to produce a huge variety of thread.  Yet you'll find there is such a wide selection of thread that choosing the correct thread for your quilting project can leave you scratching your head in puzzlement.  You'll find an array of choices, whether you shop at a brick and mortar store on the internet. This article will shed some light on the confusing selection of thread for quilting.

Thread for quilting falls broadly into two categories- sewing thread and thread for embellishing.  Let's discuss sewing thread first, as it is the most commonly used, especially for quilting projects.  Sewing thread can be purchased in several different weights and fibers.  Weights of thread can range from 28 to 60.  Thread for quilting needs to be strong, and to stand the test of time, so generally you will want to choose a thread in the range of a 40 weight.  Thread in the 28 weight range is most commonly used for embellishment, while 50 weight would be used for piecing.  You can easily find the weight of the thread you are considering by reading the label.  You may see a number like this: 40/2.  The first number is the weight of the thread, the second the number of plies.  In this example, the thread is a 40 weight of two plies.

Thread for quilting is most often made from cotton, rayon, polyester, metallic or plastic.  The metallic and plastic thread will be used for embellishments and specialty stitches only.  Cotton thread is common, and often it is mercerized.  This is a process where the fiber has been made to swell and straighten out repeatedly, which removes any tendency towards fuzziness, and makes for a very high luster thread.  Cotton thread is available in 30 to 60 weight.  

Rayon thread is also highly lustrous, and polyester thread has a colorfast, non-shrinkable finish.  The metallic thread choices are going to be a bit more difficult to sew with and are not for beginners, though they make for stunningly beautiful finished quilting projects.  Some brands that quilters might want to look for include the old favorite Coats and Clark, Guterman, which is a popular alternative known for its strength and ease of use (try it for hand quilting), Madeira rayon thread, which is strong enough to use to embroider on denim or leather, and Mettler, which comes in several different fibers.

It is often not a good idea to attempt to use up old sewing thread, which tends to degenerate on the spool.  Unreel a bit and pull on it.  If the thread snaps, it will also snap when you put it in your sewing machine.  With the wide variety of quilting thread, and its relatively low cost, there's no reason not to just buy new thread when you need a different color.  You'll save a fortune in frustration alone.

Some manufacturers also produce special threads for embellishing, and you can find these at your local quilting store.  If you like to quilt by hand, you can use embroidery floss, available in a multitude of color and fiber.  Learning about the different kinds of thread can enhance your love of the craft of quilting.

Whether you are a beginning quilter, or an advanced practitioner of the craft, you will find many books on quilting that will help advance your knowledge.  Quilting books fall roughly into several categories, and numerous titles abound in each.  The categories of books are how-to, pattern encyclopedias, historical, books about the joy of quilting, and art books.

How-to books are probably the most popular and the first stop for the beginning quilter.  They range from books which discuss the overall craft of quilting and give step-by-step instructions, to books which will take one aspect of quilting and explain how to do it.  The instructional books start with such basics as fabric selection and which tools you'll need and proceed through instructions for assembling the blocks of the quilt top and the quilt itself, down to explanations of quilting, both hand and machine.  Every quilter needs at least one of these books in her library, and usually will manage to collect a number of them.  It's amazing how many times you need a ready reference when you are in the middle of a quilting project. 

Another type of book that every quilter will want to have on hand is an encyclopedia of patterns.  These books collect many different quilt block patterns and show the basics of their assemblies.  Because their aim is to cover a lot of ground, these books are valuable starting points but won't go into intimate detail.  For that you need to turn to books which feature instruction on a specific pattern.  With the wide variety of quilting block patterns and techniques, you can imagine that this category of quilting books is quite extensive and stocked with titles.  Books in this category may devote an entire volume to explaining the nuances of, for instance, the Log Cabin pattern. 

Because quilting has its roots in American history, quilts and the craft of quilting have been studied extensively, and many historical quilting books exist.  Looking at these books and seeing what our ancestors did with a fraction of the materials and supplies available today can be a great source of inspiration to modern quilters.  Along the same lines are books which discuss the pleasures to be derived from quilting, both in its social form (such as quilting bees) or as a solitary pursuit.  Finally, there is a whole segment of quilters who have advanced the craft into art.  These quilters regularly show their work in galleries and museums, and publish books not only about their quilts, but the thoughts and processes that went into making them.  Sometimes collectors of quilts will publish books, too.  These art quilt books are as inspiring in their way as the historical quilting books.

A good way to choose quilting books that will become a permanent part of your library is to choose a time when you'll have a couple hours of uninterrupted time.  Go to the library, or your local bookstore, or fire up your computer and look at books on the internet.  Take your time, browse, and get a feel for the vast number of titles out there.  You'll no doubt end up with a much longer list than you have time or money for at the moment, but you can purchase or check out a few titles and start a wish list for more.

Part of the joy of quilting is finding books on the topic, and luckily for modern quilters, there is a huge array of titles to choose from.

Choosing fabric for a quilting project can be as much fun as doing the project itself. Even if to quilters choose the same quilt pattern, different choices of fabric will make each quilt unique. Most quilter's prefer using fabric that is 100 % cotton because they are easier to sew, mark, press and hand quilt. If you are shopping for fabric in a quilt shop you will rarely find fabric that is not pure cotton. Fabrics will also probably be arranged according to colors and print types.

With more experience fabrics other than cotton may be added for variety. Not all fabrics are suitable however. If you are using an unusual fabric for the first time, or want to use different types of fabrics together, try a small test block first. Fabrics of a medium density, with an even weave work well. Loosely woven fabrics are prone to distortion, as are stretch fabrics. Silk, lightweight wool and some plastics may be used with experience.

Both the color and tone of the fabric you choose will influence the overall effect of the pattern that you choose. Tone may be used to create depth and interest with greater effect than when using color alone.  Good planning is necessary to achieve the desired look.

Color is greatly affected by the colors around it. Using contrasting colors will make pieces of a quilt block stand out from each other.  Combing certain warm colors such as reds, yellows and oranges, in the same quilt block as cool colors like blues, greens or violets, will make them look more vivid.

Combining fabrics with various print scales and styles can add visual texture to your quilt. Interesting visual effects may also be achieved by using colors of graduated values. Printed cotton fabrics are available in many designs and styles including batiks, homespun plaids and floral, tiny-grained prints that look like solids, reproduction prints, and soft flannels. Solid-color fabrics come in just about every color, shade and tint that you can imagine.

Quilt blocks made from fabrics of the same or various shades of one color, but of contrasting textures can create pleasing results. Fabrics with a nap such as velvet, or fabrics with sheen like taffeta also provide interest.

Whatever fabric you choose for your quilting project, you must prepare it properly before you begin. Most cotton fabrics shrink when they are washed and dried. If you do not preshrink your fabric before you make your quilt, the fabrics may pucker at the stitching lines and the finished product may shrink in size the first time it is washed.

To prevent this wash all fabrics first in a washing machine on a short gentle cycle. Use cool or warm but never hot water. You may use a mild detergent, but it is not necessary unless the fabric is soiled. Wash like colors together in case they are not colorfast. Machine dry the fabric and press it with an iron. You are now ready to begin your project.

Many crafters are drawn to quilting because of the wide variety of beautiful fabrics available.  Walk into any fabric store or quilting shop, and your eyes are nearly overwhelmed with all the choices in fiber and color.  Bolts of fabrics in a rainbow of colors assail the senses.  The contemporary quilter is lucky indeed to have the huge array of fabrics available to her.  However, this embarrassment of riches can also lead to uncertainty in selecting the correct fabrics for a quilting project.

While the craft of quilting was one borne of necessity and thus many different fabrics have been used throughout the years, far and away the most common fabric for quilting is cotton.  Some historical quilts may use brightly colored wool, usually appliquéd quilts, as wool is a bit heavy to be used for pieced quilts.  Cotton is such a wonderful all-purpose fabric which washes well (though be sure to pre-wash all cottons to pre-shrink it) and maintains its color and hand.  Generally speaking, 100 percent cotton is going to be the quilter's first choice.  You may be tempted by the bargain blends on the sale rank at the fabric store, but think twice before you commit to these fabrics.  For a little bit more money, it's worth it to invest in quality fabrics for your quilt.  After all, you're going to be spending quite a few hours of your precious time making the quilt, so why not invest in the best?  Besides, relatively speaking, fabrics for quilting simply don't cost that much money.

One of the most important elements of choosing fabrics for quilting is color.  Often this is a topic which confuses beginning quilters, but there's no need to shy away from learning about color.  Most people are far more adept at combining color than they imagine.  First off, learn to trust your intuition (unless you know you are color blind!)-if you like the way colors look together, others probably will also.  And remember that this is your quilting project and you should choose fabrics that you love the look of, and that you'll enjoy working on.  Another trustworthy way to choose the color of fabrics is to study nature.  You really can't go wrong emulating the way colors go together at the ocean, or in the forest.  Go to your neighborhood park and study the various hues you'll see looking at a tree, or the lawn. 

For those who want a bit more guidance, you can do a rudimentary study of color theory.  Study the color wheel and familiarize yourself with the primary colors (red, yellow, blue), secondary colors (green, orange and violet), and intermediate colors which combine primary with secondary colors.  Another aspect of color for fabrics is value-light, dark and medium.  The values in your fabrics should be well balanced, and not too heavy in any one value.  You might also want to consider the intensity of the colors in your fabrics, which is the brightness or dullness of a color. 

Familiarizing yourself with the wide variety of fabrics available for quilting is a pleasurable experience that will also enhance your enjoyment of the craft.

There are many different types of fabric that may be used in patchwork, quilting and appliqué. The following information will help you identify and choose the best fabric for your projects.

Calico is a strong, plain weave fabric. It is available in a variety of weights and is usually white or natural with darker flecks.

Corduroy or fine-wale corduroy is a plain-weave fabric with vertical pile-effect ribbing. It frays easily but is suitable for appliqué and large-scale patch pieces.

Cotton is the choice of most quilters. It is hard-wearing and easy to work with. Cotton comes in a wide range of plain and patterned print colors. It is the best choice for patchwork quilt fabric.

Felt is made from wool. It is non-woven fabric. Instead, the fibers are compressed with moisture and heat. Felt shrinks making it unsuitable for most articles that need frequent washing. It is ideal for appliqué

Gingham is a cotton or cotton blend fabric. Alternating stripes of colored and white threads in the warp and weft produces a checkered pattern.

Lawn is a fine crisp cotton, or cotton blend fabric. It is available in prints and plain.

Linen is fabric that is woven from fiber produced by the flax plant. Linen frays and creases easily but is suitable as a ground fabric.

Muslin is a white or natural open-weave cotton or cotton blend. This fabric is suitable for backing quilts and is also used in shadow quilting and appliqué.

Organdy is a fine cotton fabric that is starched. It is used for shadow work.

Organza is a gauzy fabric woven from silk or synthetic fibers. It may also be woven from silk and a synthetic blend. Organza is available in plain colors and with metallic and iridescent effects making it suitable for appliqué and shadow work. It is also sometimes used for delicate patchwork.

PVC is a plastic, cotton-backed cloth. It is difficult to work with because of its lack of flexibility. It is used for patchwork and appliqué.

Sateen is a soft fabric that has a surface sheen. It is a popular quilt fabric.

Satin is a shiny fabric that can be woven from cotton, silk, or synthetics. It is used in appliqué.

Silk is fabric that is woven from natural fibers produced by silk worms. It works well for almost any project and is available in a variety of textures, colors, patterns and weights.

Shantung fabric is woven from yarns of irregular thickness giving it an uneven surface. It is used for quilting and patchwork.

Taffeta is a plain-weave fabric with a two-tone effect. It is suitable for appliqué and small patchwork.

Velvet has a closely woven backing and a dense cut-pile surface. It is used in patchwork, especially crazy patchwork, but the nap should lie in the same direction as the patchwork.

Voile is a fine woven fabric that is used for shadow work

Wool is made from woven fleece. Wool does not launder well and should only be used for inlaid appliqué, unless it is lightweight. Light weight wool may be used in patchwork.