Philippa's general class supply list

We have been asked about the supplies needed for each of the classes. Lots of the classes do have a specific list for you, or a section at the beginning of the class where I show you what will be required to complete the samples or project. I am often a bit wary of a long prescriptive list of supplies as I do not want you to spend money unnecessarily.

Most of you do have quite a stash of stuff - so for you there will not be much need to buy things for every class. For those of you who do not have a sewing room bursting with supplies (is there really anyone who doesn't?!) here are some items that are often used in a variety of classes, and which you might like to start accumulating :

• Good quality fine and tightly woven fabric (such as Art Gallery Fabrics). Prints and plains in a good range of tonal values and not all mediums (e.g. make sure to include strong dark and light coloured fabrics!)
• A range of threads to include 40 weight shiny polyester embroidery style threads (any brand), Superior Threads 60 weight polyester Bottomline, and Superior Threads 100 weight Kimono Silk thread. General purpose polyester thread such as Gutterman's Sew All.
• Wadding/batting. Any composition - cotton, wool, polyester and/or mixes of fibres. Small pieces for samples and slightly larger pieces for small projects.
• Fusible web such as 'Steam-A-Seam 2/lite, or any other brand you prefer.
• Tearaway stabiliser.
• One sided light to medium weight fusible interfacing such as Vilene F220 or Shirtailor or Pellon.
• Freezer paper.
• The General's charcoal white pencil 558.
• Clover 0.4mm glass headed pins.
• One inch safety pins or other method for holding your quilt layers together when quilting.
• Schmetz microtex sewing machine needles in size 70/10 (and then 60/8 when you have got used to the 70/10 size).
• Six and a half inch quilters square. 1"x 6" or 1" x 12" ruler. 6" x 12" or 6" x 24" ruler. Omnigrid are my fave brand. Make sure your rulers number from a full inch and do not start with a half inch line as this often leads to confusion and errors.
• Hand sewing embroidery needles in size 9 or 10. Bohin, John James and Japanese Tulip needles are all very good.
• A straight stitch plate for your sewing machine.
• A 45mm Olfa rotary cutter RTY-2/G (just the basic version - no fancy added bits). Spare 45mm blades. I also use an Olfa RTY-1G 28mm rotary cutter for curved piecing.
• A quality cutting mat that is not worn out!
• Sewing machine feet are discussed in each class. The ones I use most often are: quarter inch foot without guide, open-toe free-motion foot, open toe satin stitch foot, zipper foot.
• Non slip gripper mat from kitchen shops as an alternative to quilting gloves.
• A good steam iron and water spritzer.