You've been wanting to sew your very first quilt, but you don't know where to begin. Don't worry, you've come to the right place. At The Old Craft Store, we believe quilting doesn't have to be intimidating, so here are five essentials to get you started with confidence.

1. Rotary Cutter

A good rotary cutter is your best friend for clean, accurate cuts. Look for one that feels comfortable in your hand and glides smoothly through fabric. It’s a game-changer compared to scissors!

2. Self-Healing Cutting Mat

This is the surface you’ll do most of your cutting on. A self-healing mat protects your table and keeps your rotary blade sharp. Bonus: the grid lines help with measuring and cutting fabric more precisely.

3. Quilting Ruler

Quilting is all about accuracy, and a clear acrylic ruler makes cutting and measuring a snap. We love rulers with grips and easy-to-read ink marks — they make it simpler and more accurate.

4. Quality Thread

Thread can be small, but it's crucial. A heavy-duty, smooth thread (we personally use and recommend cotton for quilting) makes your seams sturdy and keeps your finished quilt in great shape for years.

5. Beautiful Fabric

Begin with a little project and a bundle of fabric that sparks your creativity. Coordinated prints or themed-by-color bundles make it simple to assemble something beautiful — and they eliminate the guesswork of fabric selection.

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A Little Direction: You don't need a professional equipment or decades of experience to make something meaningful. Start with a small project like a table runner or baby quilt and enjoy the process stitch by stitch. We're always here to guide you if you're stuck or need a bit of direction.