must have tools? Not to be missed books?? help me shop!

[Hannelore N.]

Margo swears by the crayola markers for marking quilts. Says she's used them for years and has never had a problem with washing them out. I've got some and haven't tried them yet, but I'm sure they'll be great. (As with all marking tools, always test first to avoid unwelcome surprises....)

Washable glue, whether the bottles of school glue or the glue sticks, can be used in a lot of ways to hold fabric together in places where pins aren't convenient. Then it just washes out when you wash the quilt. Very useful, especially since it's do cheap! I use it for holding applique pieces on the quilt for turned-edge applique.

I would never have imagined, but I'm so glad to read this suggestion. Wow! Thank you!! So happy I can pretend some of my supplies are really school supplies :mrgreen: You guys are seriously the best!!!!

[Rita C.]

The supreme slider is quite an expensive object which you could do without as it would only be of use if you have a machine that either has an extension table or is set down into a table. Machinger quilting gloves on the other hand are an essential piece of kit if you are doing quilting by machine. I have tried so many other kinds but they are the very best. And they are only about $8 and can be washed and used again and again. I know that you say that you have plenty of machine needles -but do you know that you should be changing your machine needle after every 8 hours of work? I get through a lot of needles and never seem to have enough. The topstitch ones last 8 times longer than other ones so they are probably more economical in the long run and better quality I think. Just a thought.

Other than that I think you should spend your money on fabric. There are so many patterns on the internet nowadays that you really don't need that many books. And TQS and Youtube are great for info and pattern ideas.

It's so exciting! I hope you will post a blog when you get back with your purchases.

[Margo C.]

I agree with Rita about lots of free info on the Internet. Books are costly and weigh a lot!!
In fact, here are some samples of info about machine applique: http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/image...e_applique.pdf
(It was made for last year's TQS BOM, but the techniques work for any project.)

Here is a TQS discussion about the Crayola WASHABLE Markers: http://forum/i-need-quilting-related...shable-markers

Here is a tutorial about how I retro-fit my Elmer's WASHABLE School Glue bottle so I can apply a fine line of glue: http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/image...e_retrofit.pdf

I also use lots of the Elmer's WASHABLE glue sticks, and stock up all all of these products when back-to-school supplies go on sale!!

[Lois B.]

This is so exciting to read about your plans and the anticipation. I hope you have a wonderful trip. It surprises me that you have to buy the school supplies in the USA. I would think they have Crayola stuff and glue in Brazil.

[Norma H.]

I have the Supreme Slider and the Machinger gloves and used them when I was more of a beginner than I am now. My hands get very warm with the gloves and I couldn't handle needles and snippers very well with them, so now I have two pieces of anti slip mat that I just move around when I move my hands. It is cheap and works for me much better. The Slider is not in use any more.
I guess that the anti slip mat is available in Brazil, but if you don't know what it is, I can post a photo later

[Norma H.]

This is so exciting to read about your plans and the anticipation. I hope you have a wonderful trip. It surprises me that you have to buy the school supplies in the USA. I would think they have Crayola stuff and glue in Brazil.

Lois, I can get crayola stuff and glue in Brazil, absolutely. BUT, prices on Crayola are higher here than in the US (by about 3x or 4x), and I've never seen Elmer's brand glue here. For craft projects, no problem; trusting it to my quilts, I'd rather stick with a known, trusted brand.

It is crazy at times what costs more here than in the US; but also we'll be in the US right during back-to-school sales so when you factor that in, things will be a tiny fraction of the cost there vs. here, so worth it to buy over there & small enough not to take up much room in the suitcases! :mrgreen:

[Norma H.]

I agree with Rita about lots of free info on the Internet. Books are costly and weigh a lot!!
In fact, here are some samples of info about machine applique: http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/image...e_applique.pdf
(It was made for last year's TQS BOM, but the techniques work for any project.)

Here is a TQS discussion about the Crayola WASHABLE Markers: http://forum/i-need-quilting-related...shable-markers

Here is a tutorial about how I retro-fit my Elmer's WASHABLE School Glue bottle so I can apply a fine line of glue: http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/image...e_retrofit.pdf

I also use lots of the Elmer's WASHABLE glue sticks, and stock up all all of these products when back-to-school supplies go on sale!!

Oooh, thanks Margo! that's a good point; books are NOT cheap, nor lightweight. Hmm, I'll look on-line then. There are tons of helpful articles, videos, etc...., that is true.

Thanks for linking all of these things, too! Wonderful info, and I'm very happy to be planning for what to do with my machine! I sat down last night and made a notecard for each project I have floating in my brain right now, just waiting to get out and get sewn.....more than I thought! Some are vague ideas, some are no more than a title of a quilt, some are fully formed images in my head that I just need to get down on paper....I think I'll be busy for a while! So --- yes, Rita is right: Spend the $$ on Fabric!!!! I can get stuff here, but nothing like the US stuff.

[Norma H.]

Thanks everyone! sorry if I am not quoting everyone, but running out the door and wanted to just say thanks real quick! I hadn't realized the slippy mat was so expensive; drat. But then, I won't have it in a table anyway, so probably does not matter. I did see the tip to use rubber grippy shelf paper, instead of gloves, and will do that for the reasons mentioned above --- I can't use my hands well when inside a glove! My mom even sent me some fingerless gloves to use in the winter (keep my hands warm) but even those felt restrictive & awkward.

I will check the library for the books; maybe I can read and take notes and not have to buy. Or find one on sale. I don't mind *one* good book in my shopping bag :-) I know I'll need to refer back often.

Many thanks for helping me make this list! If you want to keep going, that's great; I don't go until August and maybe this can be a good list for beginners in general of "must-have", "nice to have", "don't bother with, use x instead" kind of thing.

above all, I'm so grateful my quilting mentor (Joyce/She-Quilts) showed me this website!!!! You ladies are so encouraging, besides being a wealth of great info.

[Norma H.]

hard surface that you do at home from wood and cotton sheet for ironing ( i did few sizes, cant miss them for the world), i switched my old sawing machine to another sawing machine with a knee handle very useful, i have only 3 rulers that i cant without - 6x24, 6" square, 4"square, gel pen gold and silver (use them some times on dark fabric) technical pencil - all the time sharp. pins with flat head but i'd rather use glue i glue the fabric on simple paper near the sawing machine, helps not to mix the order. STARCH spray or powder that you dissolve in water. i cant without it!! and small GOOD iron. good luck and have fun quilting!

[wendy w.]

My hot tip would be to get an applique pressing sheet Link I'm really attached to mine, lots of uses.

[wendy w.]

One item I love is called Invisigrip. It comes on a roll and some quilts shops and I think Jo Ann's carry it. It is a clear static cling plastic sheet. You cut it about a half inch smaller than your ruler, and apply it to the back. It does not use glue or add any thickness. It helps to reduce the slipping that you sometimes get when rotary cutting -- it adds a 'cling' to your ruler, so it grips the fabric better. But it's still easy to move as you cut. You will only need one package - it is about $8 or so. I have put it on every ruler I own.

Some people use the sandpaper or plastic dots on the back of their rulers to add grip... but I prefer Invisigrip. The dots do raise the ruler up a bit, but the Invisigrip is so thin and it covers most of the back of the ruler, that it doesn't add any height at all.

Invisigrip reminds me of Colorforms - the clingy plastic window decorations we had when I was a child. Easy on, easy off, no residue. Does anyone else remember those?

[Margo C.]

One item I love is called Invisigrip. It comes on a roll and some quilts shops and I think Jo Ann's carry it. It is a clear static cling plastic sheet. You cut it about a half inch smaller than your ruler, and apply it to the back. It does not use glue or add any thickness. It helps to reduce the slipping that you sometimes get when rotary cutting -- it adds a 'cling' to your ruler, so it grips the fabric better. But it's still easy to move as you cut. You will only need one package - it is about $8 or so. I have put it on every ruler I own.

Some people use the sandpaper or plastic dots on the back of their rulers to add grip... but I prefer Invisigrip. The dots do raise the ruler up a bit, but the Invisigrip is so thin and it covers most of the back of the ruler, that it doesn't add any height at all.

Invisigrip reminds me of Colorforms - the clingy plastic window decorations we had when I was a child. Easy on, easy off, no residue. Does anyone else remember those?

I like Invisigrip too, Michelle! And of course I remember Colorforms!!

[Margo C.]

One item I love is called Invisigrip. It comes on a roll and some quilts shops and I think Jo Ann's carry it. It is a clear static cling plastic sheet. You cut it about a half inch smaller than your ruler, and apply it to the back. It does not use glue or add any thickness. It helps to reduce the slipping that you sometimes get when rotary cutting -- it adds a 'cling' to your ruler, so it grips the fabric better. But it's still easy to move as you cut. You will only need one package - it is about $8 or so. I have put it on every ruler I own.

Some people use the sandpaper or plastic dots on the back of their rulers to add grip... but I prefer Invisigrip. The dots do raise the ruler up a bit, but the Invisigrip is so thin and it covers most of the back of the ruler, that it doesn't add any height at all.

Invisigrip reminds me of Colorforms - the clingy plastic window decorations we had when I was a child. Easy on, easy off, no residue. Does anyone else remember those?

Oooh, okay, putting this on the list! One of my rulers has dots on it that came that way, but the others slip like crazy. Brilliant to know! Thank you!

[Margo C.]

hard surface that you do at home from wood and cotton sheet for ironing ( i did few sizes, cant miss them for the world), i switched my old sawing machine to another sawing machine with a knee handle very useful, i have only 3 rulers that i cant without - 6x24, 6" square, 4"square, gel pen gold and silver (use them some times on dark fabric) technical pencil - all the time sharp. pins with flat head but i'd rather use glue i glue the fabric on simple paper near the sawing machine, helps not to mix the order. STARCH spray or powder that you dissolve in water. i cant without it!! and small GOOD iron. good luck and have fun quilting!

Good ideas, especially the starch! I will check if I can get that here, but if not will put it on the list too.

[Margo C.]

My hot tip would be to get an applique pressing sheet Link I'm really attached to mine, lots of uses.

Ok, I went to the link, but I don't get it --- what exactly is it for?