Tool Time Tuesday™
5 Essential Quilting Tools Every Quilter Should Own
If you’re just getting started with quilting—or even if you’ve been quilting for years—there are a handful of tools that every quilter reaches for again and again.
These essential quilting tools form the foundation of nearly every project. From cutting fabric accurately to piecing blocks together, the right tools make quilting easier, faster, and much more enjoyable.
Today in our Tool Time Tuesday™ series, we’re highlighting the five quilting tools every quilter should have in their sewing room.
1. Rotary Cutter
Examples:
Olfa Deluxe 45mm Rotary Cutter
Quilters Select 45mm Rotary Cutter
A rotary cutter is one of the most important tools in modern quilting. Instead of cutting fabric with traditional scissors, quilters use a rotary cutter with a circular blade that rolls across the fabric.
This allows you to cut multiple layers of fabric quickly and accurately.
Why Quilters Love It
✔ Cuts through multiple fabric layers
✔ Faster than traditional scissors
✔ Creates precise strips, squares, and shapes
Tool Tip:
The 45mm rotary cutter is the most commonly used size for quilting. It’s versatile enough for most cutting tasks and works perfectly with standard quilting rulers. We highly recommend using the Olfa Endurance Rotary Blade 45mm. It's the blade we use in our rotary cutters in the quilt shop!
2. Self-Healing Cutting Mat
A self-healing cutting mat protects your table or cutting surface while allowing your rotary cutter blade to glide smoothly across fabric.
Examples:
Christopher Thompson's 24" x 36" Reversible Cutting Mat
Olfa® Spinning Square Cutting Mat - 12" x 12"
These mats are made from special materials that “heal” after being cut, helping extend the life of your rotary cutter blade.
Many cutting mats also include grid lines, angle markings, and measurements to help quilters cut accurately.
Why Quilters Love It
✔ Protects tables and work surfaces
✔ Helps blades last longer
✔ Built-in grids help keep cuts straight and square
Tool Tip:
A 24" x 36" cutting mat is one of the most popular sizes for quilting because it allows you to cut strips directly from fabric yardage.
3. Acrylic Quilting Ruler
Examples:
Creative Grids Quilt Ruler (6.5" x 24.5")
Creative Grids Quilt Ruler (8.5" x 24.5")
Acrylic rulers are designed to work with rotary cutters to create perfectly straight cuts and accurate angles.
Because they are clear, you can see the fabric underneath and align patterns, edges, and measurements easily.
Why Quilters Love It
✔ Perfect for cutting strips and borders
✔ Angle markings for triangles and specialty shapes
✔ See-through design helps align fabric grain
Tool Tip:
A 6" x 24" ruler is one of the most versatile rulers a quilter can own.
4. Seam Ripper
Example:
Clover White Seam Ripper
LED Lighted Seam Ripper
Even the most experienced quilters make mistakes—and that’s where the seam ripper comes in.
This small tool safely removes stitches so fabric can be repositioned and sewn again.
Why Quilters Love It
✔ Quickly removes stitches
✔ Fixes sewing mistakes
✔ Prevents fabric damage
A Little Quilting Humor:
Every quilter owns a seam ripper… and most of us use it more often than we planned!
5. Quilting Pins
Example:
IRIS® Swiss Super Fine Pins
Quilting pins help hold fabric pieces together before sewing. Proper pinning helps keep seams aligned so blocks come together accurately.
The IRIS® Swiss Super Fine Pins are Michelle's favorite pin for piecing!
Why Quilters Love Them
✔ Hold seams in place
✔ Prevent fabric shifting while sewing
✔ Extra long hardened steel pins are nickel-plated with super sharp points.
Why These Tools Matter
Having the right quilting tools makes a huge difference in your quilting experience. Accurate cutting and piecing lead to blocks that fit together perfectly and quilts that look professional.
Whether you’re starting your first quilt or building your sewing room, these tools are a great foundation for your quilting journey.
If you’re looking for quality quilting tools, stop by Bound in Stitches or browse our website—we love helping quilters find tools they’ll use for years.
✅ Next in the Tool Time Tuesday™ series:
How to Clean Your Self-Healing Cutting Mat (and Make It Last for Years)