15 Quilting Tools Hiding in Your Hardware Store

Send a text In this episode, I explore unconventional and budget-friendly quilting tools that can be found at your local hardware store. As part of Season 5's focus on building a creative business, this episode offers practical tips for quilters looking to save money while enhancing their craft. Hardware Store Quilting Tools: Tools Section: Magnetic Bowls - Deeper than typical pin dishes, perfect for holding pins, especially heavy-duty long arm pins Magnetic Bars - Used to secure quilt tops when floating them on a long arm machine Telescoping Magnetic Handles - Great for retrieving dropped pins or reaching into tight spaces Scissor Sharpeners - For extending the life of all-purpose scissors (not recommended for high-quality sewing shears) Small Inspection Mirrors - Helpful for checking the bobbin area or viewing the back of a quilt without flipping it Paint Department:  6. Painter's Tape - Susan's "all-time winner" for marking boundaries, creating guides, securing loose seams, and making cutting jigs  7. Rubber Mallet - Perfect for flattening bulky seams that won't fit under machine feet, also useful for snaps and grommets Measuring Section:  8. Yardstick - Longer than typical quilting rulers, useful for holding side clamp straps at the long arm machine Storage & Organization:  9. S-Hooks - Great for hanging rulers on pegboards or temporarily displaying quilts  10. Wire Shelving with Wheels - Space-saving storage that can be rolled when needed  11. Snap-Together Storage Bins - Perfect for organizing small supplies like seam rippers and marking tools  12. Mesh Drawer Organizers - Good for visible storage of color-organized scraps  13. Closet Organization Hardware - For storing batting rolls using closet rails and PVC pipe Lighting:  14. LED Stick-On Lights - For additional task lighting under machines - Tip: Use a floor lamp with adjustable neck for "quilting by shadow" on dark or busy prints Building Materials:  15. Plexiglass Sheets - For auditioning quilting designs wit Want to try free motion quilting but don't know where to start? Here's 3 simple steps to get going. Support the show ------------------------ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review here. Resources: ADVANCE, my monthly subscription membership FREEHAND QUILTING MASTERCLASS, an on-demand comprehensive course ALL-OVER FEATHER, sign-up for a FREE quilting class And here's where you can find more of my work: YouTube - LIVE & UNSCRIPTED episodes Website - for more information on classes and quilting services Facebook - current projects and photos Instagram - current projects and photos Pinterest - photo galleries and tutorials