5 Must-Have Quilting Notions

by 12 Comments

You may want to delve into the world of quilting, but it can be intimidating to see the list of supplies that are recommended or required! Keep it simple by checking out these basic must-have quilting notions. There are a variety of intuitive supplies you will need, such as a sewing machine, needles, and thread. However, if you’re new to quilting, make sure you have these recommended notions to get started.

1. Rotary Cutter

This will make your fabric cutting life exponentially easier. Say goodbye to attempting to cut perfect squares with fabric scissors and hello to cutting with ease. A rotary cutter looks incredibly similar to a pizza cutter and works in a similar way. The blade is extremely sharp, which is perfect for cutting through not only one fabric layer but several.

Rotary Cutter

2. Self-healing Mat

One Does Not Simply

One does not simply use a rotary cutter without a self-healing mat. You could theoretically use a regular mat, but a self-healing mat lasts much longer. Try to purchase the largest one you can afford. The bigger the mat, the more convenient.

Rotary Cutting Mat

3. Acrylic Rulers for Quilting

These go hand in hand with your rotary cutter and self-healing mat. Measure out perfect quilt blocks, charm packs, or otherwise when you use this essential quilting supply. Simply align the ruler and use your rotary cutter to trim your fabric.

Acrylic Ruler

4. Marking Tools

It is extremely difficult, possibly impossible, to eyeball your work when it comes to quilting. Marking your quilt can be intimidating, but don’t fear! From water-soluble pens to chalk, you can mark your quilt without hesitation.

5. Pins and Pin Cushion

Pins aren’t just for beginners! Make sure you have sharp pins on hand to keep your fabric together. Even experienced quilters use pins! A few tips: make sure your pins are sharp, and make sure you have a handy pin cushion. The pin cushion both stores your pins and prevents them from rusting!

Scrumptious Scrappy Four Square Pin Cushion

 Watermark Fabric Collection from Studio e

BONUS! Enter to win a fantastic fat quarter bundle! The Watermark Fabric Fat Quarter Bundle from Studio e is a beautiful fabric collection that includes 28 fat quarters. Enter to win! Contest ends April 8th, 2014.

 

 

 

What quilting notion would you recommend?

 

 

 

Your Must-Have Craft Supplies List for Kids + How to Store Craft Supplies

by 1 Comment

craft-cabinetIf you want to have a blast with the kids making the best craft projects out there, there are few materials you should always have on hand. After all, you never know when the urge to make an AllFreeKidsCrafts project is going to hit you. Don’t let yourself or your wallet…. or the limited space in your craft room…. overwhelm you. These essentials are inexpensive and can be stored easily.

 

 

 

Must-Have Craft Supplies List

Take the list below with you to your local craft store and stock up on these must-have supplies. The bill shouldn’t be outrageous, and trust me when I say that these craft materials will take you through tons of kids’ crafts, hours of fun, and a treasure chest of memories.

  • White glue
  • Scissors
  • Construction paper
  • Paper plates
  • Markers
  • Crayons
  • Buttons
  • Beads
  • Paint
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Popsicle Sticks
  • Craft foam
  • Googly eyes
  • Pom poms
  • Felt
  • Tissue Paper
  • Toilet paper rolls (no need to buy these…just save them!)
  • Mod Podge (or make your own)
  • Scraps (fabric, yarn, paper etc…. again just save these)

How to Store Craft Supplies

thrift-shop-book-shelf

The craft supplies won’t overwhelm you if they’re stored in a way that’s pleasing to the eye. There are even crafts you can make with your essential materials to help keep you organized. Whether you have a craft drawer, closet, corner, or room, keeping organized is the key to success.

Crafts for Kids to Make with the Essentials

While some projects require extra supplies that you won’t always have on hand, these projects can be made with the basics. The list goes on and on, but I’ve chosen a select few to get you started. Happy crafting!

What supplies would you add to the list of must-haves?

 

FaveQuilts Giveaway: Omnigrid and Fons & Porter Rotary Cutting Supplies from Prym Consumer

by 22 Comments

Now that spring is in full swing, you might be looking to update your stock of crafting tools. After all, you can’t quilt properly with old and damaged products. To make sure your projects are high-quality from start to finish, make sure you have all of these Omnigrid and Fons & Porter Rotary Cutting Supplies from Prym Consumer. They cut down the time you spend prepping your fabric, as well as save you money you may have wasted on extra materials.

Omnigrid and Fons & Porter Rotary Cutting Supplies from Prym Consumer

 

The first essential tool in this pack is the The Fons & Porter 45mm Rotary Cutter, with a sturdy blade that’s easy and safe to remove, as well as a comfortable grip that will allow both right and left-handed quilters to work for long periods of time without feeling any fatigue or pain in their hands. Something so small and simple like a rotary cutter should not be taken for granted.

This pack also includes the Fons & Porter Basic Rotary Cutting Ruler, another standard supply material that never fails to come in handy. As quilters, you know how important it is to make accurate measurements on every piece of fabric you’re cutting. Mistakes can be costly with fabric being so expensive, but you won’t have to worry about a pile-up of useless pieces with this ruler. The surface prevents fabric from sliding, and all of the lines are clear and readable; there’s nothing that will prevent you from making pristine cuts for your half-square triangles, blocks, and strips.

The last piece of equipment in this pack is the Omnigrid Cutting Mat. Much like the ruler, this piece of equipment is a must-have when it comes to measuring and cutting fabric. The flexible surface is easy to work on, and best of all, holds up against cuts from your rotary blades. You can forget about wear and tear!

Do you think your quilting supplies are a bit outdated? Then enter our giveaway for all of these Omnigrid and Fons & Porter Rotary Cutting Supplies from Prym Consumer by April 30th! These three essential tools will come in handy for any of your upcoming projects and help you spend less time on the basics so you can focus more on making an amazing quilt. There’s still a week left in our giveaway, so enter on FaveQuilts today.

DIY Storage Systems for Crafts

by 8 Comments

My craft stash is a mess.  I have a ton of supplies in random boxes throughout my apartment and I need to get a handle on gathering it all together in one place.  I’m on a hunt to find decorative storage and organization tips from all you crafters out there on how to get my crafty treasures in order.  This, my friends, is mission number one.

Mission number two is to spend as little money as possible on organizational systems.  Why spend money when I can reuse what I already have to get myself organized?  So today I bring you repurposed, upcycled, and crafty DIY storage ideas for all your craft supplies…so let’s get organizing!

 

Paper
Scrapbook paper storage solutions are easier to come by than you think!  See if you have an old accordion file somewhere in the basement.  If you do, you’ve got yourself one of the best scrapbook paper organizers out there!

Here’s a great way to keep your single scrapbook paper sheets organized.  All you need is a collapsible sweater shelf and a few of these storage bins for paper, available at Cut Rate Crafts.  Label the bins by color, paper theme, or whatever system works for you.  I can’t wait to try this idea at home!

 

Beads/Embellishments/Small Things

Chances are you have the best storage devices for beads, embellishments, and other small items in your kitchen right now.  When it comes to keeping small things organized, there’s no need to buy tons of little jars and bottles…simply browse around your kitchen for unused muffin tins, egg cartons, and ice cube trays.

Yup, these storage containers make scrapbook storage and organization a breeze…not to mention they stack up and store away easily to allow for a cleaner and clutter free workspace.

When it comes to the bigger small stuff, like scissors, tape, and glue, nothing works better than a multi-pocket shoe organizer.  Who would have thought?  These over-the-door shoe organizers are great for craft supplies.

For those who enjoy the fine art of illustration and painting canvas boards, these shoe organizers are top-notch marker and paint bottle organizers.   If you’d rather have your markers and colored pencils close at hand, this Water Bottle Supply Organizer is a great resource.  Made from recycled plastic bottles, this storage system is cost effective and easy to make.

I also love this idea for organizing my colored pencils.  I’m always on the hunt for ideas for making handmade greeting cards, so keeping my cardstock and colored pencils close at hand is a definite need.  With this storage system, I can clean out my recycling bin and satisfy my slight OCD problem to have all my colored pencils together with like colors.  This just makes me happy.  There’s no other way to put it.

 

Ribbons

Can we discuss how brilliant this is?  What a great way to keep all your ribbons organized and ready for crafting and wrapping!  DIY ribbon organization is where I plan to start when it comes time to organizing my crafts.  While this ribbon tote is a great idea, I also love this ribbon organizer!  It’s so easy to make…all you need is a shoe box and some dowels.  I definitely think I can manage that!

 

Yarn and Needles

WHY did it take me so long to find this?  What a great idea for storing yarns and knitting needles!  This project requires a collapsible crate, a basket, or some receptacle you have that you are willing to recover with fabric.

If sewing isn’t really your thing, try this Yarn Storage Box, made with Mod Podge and unfinished wooden boxes.  Not only does it provide ample storage for yarn and craft needles, but you can decorate it to match your home décor so you can store your supplies out in the open!

Now, anyone who knows me knows I LOVE my coffee!  Can’t start a day without it!  But did you know that all those coffee canisters can be put to good use once the beans are gone?  By attaching like-sized canisters together, you can create yarn storage solutions that are effective and decorative!  Even if you’re not yo-yo for yarn, you can easily upcycle aluminum cans to help you organize your other craft supplies.

 

Fabric

I absolutely am in love with these fabric storage cabinets!  I love how colorful and organized that looks!  All you would need here is some stiff cardboard to wrap your fabric scraps around.  Then simply display them in an empty bookcase or cabinet.

 

So there you have it!  A good handful of DIY projects to help you get organized for a new year of crafting!  Not in the mood to DIY?  Check out these awesome craft room organization ideas and products from Cut Rate Crafts.  Many of the systems are available for purchase through the site…so you can get to organizing your creative mind ASAP.

Now, just because you’re storing and organizing doesn’t mean you have to disregard decorating!  Your craft room can be useful and beautiful—just check out this tips on how to Decorate and Organize Your Craft Room.  Ah, if only I had a craft room…

 

We want to hear your hints, tricks, and tips when it comes to craft storage and organization!  Feel free to comment below and tell us what has worked for you!  Happy crafting!