My last blog post was all about refreshing your sewing space to help you get excited to create in the new year. So now that we're all clean and organized, I'm going to share some of my most essential tools and notions that are always within reach while I'm quilting.
First up is the star of the show: my sewing machine! I use a Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QCP and it's amazing. It may not be the fanciest machine out there, but it does have a lot of great features, including 11" of throat space! I quilt all of my own quilts on this machine, so that really comes in handy. I've had this machine for a few years now, and I'm super happy with it.
Next, I have my scissors, rotary cutters, and thread snips. I have a little bucket/organizer that sits on my desk behind my machine and this is where I keep my scissors and snips. Even though my machine has an automatic thread cutter (which I LOVE), I still am frequently reaching back for my little thread snips to trim bits of thread here and there.
One of my most used tools on my desk is my handy dandy thread cutter. Mine is by Sunflower Quilts, but I know there are many similar items out there. This is the best tool for separating all those chain-pieced pieces. My kids actually love doing this step for me. If you have littles, this is a great way to get them involved! My thread cutter technically has a spot inside my desk drawer, but I use it so often, it mainly stays out.
Perhaps an unexpected favorite tool are tweezers! I got these Tula Pink ones a few years ago in a quilt subscription box and wow! So handy! They have a narrow, pointy tip, which is good for reaching thread and lint out of hard to reach spaces in my machine. I reach for these way more often than you'd think, so they stay on my desk.
Then, of course, I have my rulers and 6" x 8" cutting mat. I keep a handful of my most used smaller rulers on my desk for easy access. My 6" x 8" cutting mat is extremely useful for trimming little pieces, especially because a larger mat won't fit on my desk.
My sewing room is a shared space with my husband and kids, so I can't keep an ironing board and a hot iron out all the time. When I need to press a quick seam, my go-to is my seam roller. The one I have is from Violet Craft, and it works like a charm! I don't use this if I have a lot seams, or long seams, to press; but if I'm sewing and just need a seam or two pressed in order to keep going, this is much faster than setting up my pressing station. The only thing is that my 3-year-old loves to play with this, so I'm constantly having to track it down. 😂
A notion that, in my opinion, is underrated is the measuring gauge. My mom gifted a Dritz one to me years ago, and at first I thought when would I ever use this?, and the answer is ALL THE TIME! This little guy has 14 measurements on it and is great for checking needle position, as well as measuring seam allowances. As a quilter, that scant 1/4" seam is crucial!
A major player for night sewing (which, as a mom, I do a lot of) is my rechargeable Ottlite desk lamp. My husband just got this for me for my birthday a few weeks ago, and it's been a game changer! Our office room where I do my sewing has terrible lighting, so often at night I would be working by the light of my phone flashlight. The Ottlite, once charged, is portable! I can set it on the floor where I do my cutting, or take it over to my fabric stash in the closet! It's really bright and looks pretty sleek, too!
Lastly, but not least, are my sewing clips and pins. I am a clip girl 100%. I got a whole bunch on Amazon for pretty cheap and I use them for every part of the quilting process. They hold well and I never get poked!
Though I rarely use pins, I still have them in reach on my magnetic pin bowl. The wall on the back of my desk is magnetic, so it's easy to keep it up there. My favorite pins are the Clover fine pins. The package says they are best for sheer and lightweight fabrics, but I really love them for quilting too! They are thin, so they slide through layers of fabric easily and don't create bumps as badly as thicker pins. I wouldn't recommend them for super thick fabric or layers, but for my occasional uses, I think they're great!
BONUS: Something that isn't sewing related, but I still like to have it in my desk is hair ties! I don't know about you, but I get hot when I'm quilting! All that sewing and pressing gets to me. Plus, if I'm leaning over to cut or press, I don't want my hair falling in my face. I like to be able to pull my hair back, but I know I won't take a break to go find one. Hence, keeping a couple in my desk has become a necessity for me.
Thanks for coming along with me on a little tour of my sewing desk! If you have any questions, please ask them! I am also curious what is on your sewing desk? Is there anything I didn't mention that you love and keep close at hand? Drop a comment and let me know!