Gifts for Quilters: Tools They Will Actually Use

First, two questions about the quilter

Do they already cut with a rotary cutter? If not, the cutting kit below is the gift. If they do, find out the size of their cutter before buying blades: OLFA describes its RB45 blades as compatible with most 45 mm rotary cutters, so a cutter of another size needs another blade.⁷

Do they quilt by hand or by machine? A thimble is for hand quilting and hand-sewn binding; grip gloves are for moving a quilt under the needle of a sewing machine. A walking foot depends on the machine: see our guide to walking feet before buying one, and our guides to a first sewing machine for quilting and to sewing machines for quilting if the gift is the machine itself.

For general sewing tools (shears, seam ripper, pin holder, pressing ham), see our gifts for sewers. This page keeps to tools made for quilting.

Gift ideas for quilters at a glance

Twelve gifts for quilters by situation

Gift	Best for	Why it is useful
Rotary cutter (OLFA RTY-2/DX, 45 mm)	New quilter	“Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler” are on the list1
Cutting mat (OLFA RM-MG, 24 x 36 in.)	New quilter	Protects the table and the blade6
Long ruler (Omnigrid 6-1/2 x 24 in.)	New quilter	Guides the cutter for strips6
Rotary blades (OLFA RB45, pack of 5)	Small gift	Fits most 45 mm cutters, says OLFA7
Binding clips (Clover Wonder Clips)	Small gift	“Holds quilt binding while sewing”8
Fine pins (Clover Patchwork Pins)	Small gift	For precise pinning in piecework9
Hera marker (Clover 490/NV)	Small gift	Marks with a crease, no residue5
Thimble (Clover Protect and Grip)	Hand quilter	“Quilting thimble” is on the list1
Grip gloves (Dritz)	Machine quilter	Grip dots to move the quilt10
Square-up ruler (Omnigrid 12-1/2 in.)	Quilter who has everything	Squares up quilt blocks2
Project iron (Oliso M3Pro)	Quilter who has everything	An iron is on the list1
Floor lamp (OttLite WingShade)	Quilter who has everything	Daylight mode, adjustable height4

These are starting points chosen from what each maker publishes, not a ranking: we have not tested them.

For a new quilter: the cutting kit

The University of Kentucky’s 4-H guide: “Piecing can be fast and accurate with the use of rotary cutting equipment.”¹ Utah State University Extension puts the same three tools on its advanced supply list: “Rotary cutter”, “Self-healing cutting mat” and “Ruler with grid”.⁶ They work as a set: the mat goes under the fabric, the ruler guides the blade.

45 mm rotary cutter with a squeeze handle

OLFA 45mm RTY-2/DX Ergonomic Rotary Cutter

Blade

45 mm, RB45H Endurance pre-loaded

Capacity

up to 8 layers of cotton, per OLFA

Hands

right or left (assembly changes)

Strengths

• Self-retracting blade, says OLFA
• Takes all OLFA 45 mm blades

Drawbacks

• Needs a mat and a ruler to be useful
• Extremely sharp, as Utah State says of any rotary blade

Good fit: they are starting to rotary cut, or their hands tire with a straight-handle cutter.
Skip it if: the quilter is a child working without an adult.

OLFA’s own words: “Squeeze handle activation”, “Self-retracting for safety” and “For right- and left-handed users. See instructions for how to change assembly for left-hand usage”.¹¹ Utah State on any rotary cutter: “The blades are extremely sharp and care is needed when cutting.”⁶ Its list also names a rotary cutter safety glove, worn “on the hand which is holding the grid ruler in place”.⁶

Double-sided green cutting mat

OLFA RM-MG 24 x 36 in. Self-Healing Rotary Mat

Size

24 x 36 in.

Thickness

1.5 mm

Sides

inch grid on one, plain green on the other

Strengths

• OLFA: the self-healing finish reseals surface cuts
• Wide enough for a 24-inch ruler

Drawbacks

• Must be stored flat, away from heat and cold, says Utah State
• We did not find this exact mat on Amazon.com, so we link to OLFA

Good fit: they have a table that can hold a 24 x 36 inch mat.
Skip it if: their table is small: OLFA makes the same mat in 18 x 24 inches (RM-SG).

OLFA has renumbered this mat: its page shows the new code RM-MG-01 and marks the old RM-MG as discontinued, so a store listing may show either.¹² Utah State’s care advice for any cutting mat: “When storing your mat lay it flat or store in an organizer to avoid warping. Do not store your mat rolled up.” It adds that “Cutting at an angle will permanently damage the mat.”⁶

Acrylic ruler for cutting strips

Omnigrid Rectangle Ruler, 6-1/2 x 24 in.

Item

R6524

Angle lines

30, 45 and 60 degrees

Numbering

left- and right-hand

Strengths

• Sight lines that show on light and dark fabrics, says the maker
• Sold by the Omnigrid store, which ships to Canada

Drawbacks

• Thirteen sizes in the line: check you pick 6-1/2 x 24
• The Amazon.com listing we found had no buy button, so we link to the maker

Good fit: they cut strips across the width of the fabric.
Skip it if: they already own a 24-inch ruler.

The maker describes it as a ruler to “Cut strips and trim fabric edges during quilt making”, in “Heavy-duty durable acrylic material for use with a rotary cutter or a straight-edge blade”.¹³ Utah State: the ruler with grid “is especially useful when using the rotary cutter and when cutting quilt pieces”.⁶

Small gifts for quilters

These cost less than the kit and suit a Christmas stocking, a Mother’s Day parcel or a guild gift exchange. The first one is used up, so it is rarely a duplicate.

Replacement 45 mm tungsten steel blades

OLFA RB45 Rotary Blades, pack of 5

Item

RB45-5

Packs

1, 2, 5 or 10 blades

Fits

most 45 mm rotary cutters, per OLFA

Strengths

• Plastic case for storage or disposal, says OLFA
• Fits the OLFA RTY-2/DX above

Drawbacks

• 45 mm only
• Sharp: wrap the case well

Good fit: they own a 45 mm rotary cutter.
Skip it if: their cutter is another size: ask, or look at the blade.

OLFA: “Compatible with most 45mm Rotary Cutters”, and the blades “come in a convenient plastic case for easy storage or disposal”.⁷

Flat-backed clips that replace pins on thick edges

Clover Wonder Clips, 50 pieces

Art. No.

3156 (red)

Other packs

10 or 100 pieces

Markings

1/4 in. and 1/2 in. seam allowances

Strengths

• Clover: holds quilt binding while sewing
• Flat back, with seam allowance markings

Drawbacks

• Clover: remove the clips before the fabric goes under the presser foot

Good fit: they sew bindings, or bags in vinyl and thick fabric.
Skip it if: you want something for pinning inside a pieced block: fine pins do that.

Clover calls them a “Great alternative to pins, especially when working with vinyls, piles and heavy weight fabrics”, and adds: “Caution: Remove the clips before feeding the fabric under the presser foot.”⁸

Extra-fine glass-head pins

Clover Patchwork Pins (Fine)

Art. No.

2507

Size

0.4 x 36 mm

Pack

100 pins in a closable case

Strengths

• Glass heads are iron-proof, says Clover
• Extra-fine shank

Drawbacks

• Made for piecework, not for a quilt sandwich

Good fit: they piece blocks and match seams.
Skip it if: they need to hold thick layers: Clover describes these for delicate piecework and applique.

Clover: “Extra-fine pins, which smoothly pass through fabric. Useful for precise pinning in delicate piecework and applique. The glass head pins are iron-proof.”⁹

Marker that draws a crease instead of a line

Clover Hera Marker

Art. No.

490/NV

Mark

a crease, seen on both sides

Material

urea resin

Strengths

• No residue, says Clover
• Nothing to refill

Drawbacks

• Clover gives no size on the page we read

Good fit: they mark quilting lines and dislike ink or chalk on a finished top.

Clover: “This ideal marker marks and makes creases simultaneously which can be seen on both the front and back of the fabric without leaving any residue.”⁵

Elastic thimble with a metal cap

Clover Protect and Grip Thimble

Sizes

Small 14.5 mm, Medium 15.5 mm, Large 17 mm

Art. No.

6025, 6026, 6027

Materials

elastomer, brass

Strengths

• Three sizes, with the inside diameter given
• Ridged and dimpled metal cap, says Clover

Drawbacks

• The size must match the finger: ask before you buy
• Our link goes to the Large size

Good fit: they quilt by hand or hand sew their bindings.
Skip it if: they quilt only by machine.

Clover describes “soft, elastic material with the safety of a metal thimble cap”.¹⁴ The size matters: Utah State says to “Size the thimble to the middle finger of your sewing hand.”⁶ A quilting thimble is on the University of Kentucky’s intermediate and advanced lists.¹

Cotton gloves with grip dots for machine quilting

Dritz Machine Quilting Grip Gloves

Sizes

Medium (blue, 3103), Large (yellow, 3104)

Grip

dots on fingertips and palms

Care

machine wash cold, air dry

Strengths

• Dritz: non-slip dots grip the fabric to move the quilt
• Machine washable

Drawbacks

• Two sizes only: ask the hand size
• Our link goes to the Medium size

Good fit: they quilt their own tops on a home sewing machine.
Skip it if: you want protection for rotary cutting: that is a different, protective glove.

Dritz: “Use these gloves for greater machine quilting control and maneuverability.”¹⁰ They are not the “Rotary cutter safety glove” on the Utah State and Kentucky lists.^1,6

For a quilter who has everything

When the kit is complete, look for the tool they improvise.

Square acrylic ruler for trimming blocks

Omnigrid Square Up Ruler, 12-1/2 in.

Item

RSQ125

Measures

1 in. to 12-1/2 in.

Numbering

left- and right-hand

Strengths

• Made to square up quilt blocks, says the maker
• Same sight lines as the Omnigrid rectangle rulers

Drawbacks

• For trimming blocks, not for cutting long strips
• The maker page calls it OmniCraft in one place, Omnigrid elsewhere

Good fit: they make blocks up to 12-1/2 inches and trim them with a long ruler.
Skip it if: they are a beginner who still needs a first strip ruler.

The maker: it “is used to "square up" quilt blocks, needlework or other crafting mediums”.²

Compact steam iron for sewing and quilting

Oliso M3Pro Project Iron

Power

1000 W, 110/120 V and 220/240 V

Weight

2.0 lb

Water tank

1.7 fl oz (50 ml)

Strengths

• Oliso: LED light to see intricate details
• Automatic universal voltage; Oliso ships to Canada

Drawbacks

• Small water tank
• The Amazon.com listing we found had no buy button, so we link to Oliso

Good fit: they press seams beside the machine, or take an iron to classes and retreats.
Skip it if: they press large yardage: the tank holds 50 ml.

Oliso: “tailor-made for sewing, quilting, and crafting, with the performance of a full-size iron in a sleek, compact design”. It has a “30-minute on-heel and 10-minute horizontal stand-by” and a “30-second safety shut-off if tipped over”; the silicone rest is included, but the mat and fill cup in the photos are not.³ An iron is on the University of Kentucky’s intermediate and advanced lists.¹

Dimmable floor lamp with three colour modes

OttLite WingShade LED Floor Lamp

Height

50.5 to 64 in.

Colour modes

warm white, bright white, daylight

CRI

95+, per OttLite

Strengths

• Height adjusts beside a cutting or sewing table
• Touch controls for brightness and colour

Drawbacks

• A large gift to wrap and place
• Not found on Amazon.com

Good fit: they cut, sew or choose fabric colours in the evening.
Skip it if: you ship to Canada: OttLite ships to US addresses only.

OttLite: “Height adjusts from 50.5 to 64 inches”, with “3 color temperature modes (warm white, bright white, and ClearSun natural daylight)”.⁴

Buying in Canada

The makers’ own stores differ:

• Omnigrid and Dritz (Prym Americas store): “We currently ship orders to the US and Canada.”¹⁵
• Oliso: “We ship via common carriers to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.”¹⁶
• Clover (US store): “We do not offer international shipping at this time.”¹⁷
• OttLite: it ships to US addresses only, and says that for Canadian customers “A variety of our products are available to be purchased online from Amazon.ca, and Lines Distributors”.^18,19
• OLFA: its where-to-buy page has a section for Canadian authorized distributors; the ones we saw there are mostly tool suppliers, not quilt shops.²⁰

Our Amazon links go to Amazon.com. From Canada, check delivery and import fees on each listing before you order.