Tips For Purchasing Quilting Supplies In Port Arthur TX

By Nora Jennings


Quilting is a craft that can be traced all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. Quilts are blankets that have three layers. The middle layer is batting, which adds thickness to the finished product. In the United States, quilting was a favorite pastime during Colonial times. It was primarily a craft for the wealthy because they had plenty of spare time to indulge in such activities. Today, quilters create wall hangings, clothing, and comforters by using this sewing method and buying quilting supplies in Port Arthur TX.

Consumers have a wide variety of quilting supplies and accessories to choose from when first learning this craft. Beginners can avoid becoming overwhelmed with the choices by focusing on a few basic items to add to their sewing kit. With experience, quilters will discover other useful tools that can enhance their crafting experience.

Quality cutting tools are essential for cutting fabrics, patterns, and trim. Sewers should always keep a separate pair of scissors strictly for cutting fabric to ensure the blades remain sharp. Another less expensive pair of scissors can be used for cutting paper and other materials.

A seam ripper is another handy tool most people have used at one time or another. This tool has a forked head with a blade and a small point. With it, the user can quickly remove stitches.

Quilters will use lots of pins to hold pieces of fabric in place while sewing stitches. A pin cushion not only organizes pins by keeping them all in one place but the wool roving inside the cushion prevents pins from rusting. Abrasive material inside the small ball hanging off the top keeps pins sharp and clean. Quilters should avoid using dull pins, which can leave big holes in the fabric and ruin the aesthetics of the finished piece.

Whether pin or spray basting, users will find that basting pins are best for keeping fabrics together. These special pins look like typical safety pins but are curved. The curve in the pin holds layers of fabric firmly in place and eliminates any shifting while stitching.

Most people have a difficult time creating a quilt by eyeballing how the pieces go together. Marking tools take the guesswork out of this task. Air soluble markers use ink that disappears after some length of time while water soluble ink washes out with water. Most quilters use chalk when they do not need the marking to last a long time. Chalk transfer paper is an option that is useful for tracing designs with a ballpoint pen or pencil with a dull tip.

Pressing fabric with a steam iron eliminates all wrinkles and makes the material easier to work with. Many irons will shut off automatically to prevent accidents. Spray starch is another convenient tool that allows quilters to cut neat edges and sew straight seams.

A standalone or tabletop ironing board offers a safe surface for pressing fabric. A tabletop model saves floor space in the sewing room. Quilters of all skill levels can get started on any project if their sewing kit contains these tools.




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