Things I wouldn’t buy if I was starting my quilt journey again…

I’ve been quilting on my domestic sewing machine since 2023, and over the past couple of years, I’ve tried A LOT of different quilting tools and gadgets. And I’ll be honest… there are some that I probably won’t buy again. Not because they’re bad, but because they just didn’t work for me.

Here are a few things I’ve stopped reaching for:

1. Hera markers & fabric pens

I’ve bought so many fabric pens over the years, along with a Hera marker, and I rarely reach for either anymore. Instead, I’ve been using a non-serrated butter knife from our kitchen set to press indents into my fabric for marking quilt lines.

It works SO well. The lines are crisp, they iron right out, and it costs me nothing. I honestly highly recommend trying this for marking quilting lines! That said, I still prefer fabric pens when I’m making garments.

2. Premade bias tape

When I first started sewing, I used premade bias tape all the time for quilts and other quilted projects. Then I learned how to make my own… and it was like opening a whole new door. I never looked back!I’ve always been a sucker for color and coordination, so I love being able to use fabric from the quilt itself for the binding. I’ve even written a pattern for confetti binding if you want to bring lots of color into your quilt.

For me, binding is the finishing touch. It can be such a small detail, but it’s often what brings the whole quilt together. I don’t think I’ll ever buy premade bias tape for a quilt again!

3. Antique wooden ironing boards

Hear me out… I bought mine purely for the aesthetics.

While it does work, it took a LOT of customizing to get it to where it is now. When I first started using it, it was leaving stains on my fabric, and I was honestly terrified of the wood getting too hot.

I eventually made a custom cover for it, which helped a lot, but now that cover is starting to get stained too. Looking back, I would probably choose something that takes up less space (maybe an over-the-door option) and leave the antique ironing board out for display.

4. Antique quilts without a plan

I am a sucker for a good antique quilt. But when I buy one, my goal is usually to upcycle it into something I can actually wear or use rather than just display it.

The problem is, antique quilts can have some really bold patterns and colors that I wouldn’t necessarily choose for my wardrobe. When I first started quilting, I desperately wanted to make a quilted jacket, so I probably would have bought just about any quilt that came my way.

That led to me having a few VERY vibrant coats that I honestly don’t reach for anymore.

So yes, buy the antique quilt! Just make sure you love the overall feeling of it and can actually picture yourself returning to whatever you plan to make from it.

What are some things you wouldn’t buy if you were starting your quilting journey over? I’d love to know!

Keep creating,
Chloe’