I’m still working on this bit. Today I thought I’d share what I consider to be my essential tools for hand piecing.
I just started using this. I know it’s for hand quilting, but I love it for piecing. It doesn’t tangle or shred.
I bought this thimble years ago. I love the brass lip on it. I have no idea of the brand. I did buy it at a quilt shop, but that’s all I remember.
Dear friend Ila sent me these scissors. I LOVE these!
When I hand piece, I always mark seam lines. I’m kind of OCD about it. Wait, can you be kind of OCD about anything? Never mind. I use a small piece of sandpaper, a ruler with a quarter inch seam line, and a mechanical pencil. I have a small 6 x 6 stiff cutting mat with a piece of sandpaper glued to the back, but apparently it is vacationing in AZ at the moment.
Such a sad pin! I just use one pin at the first intersection that I sew to. When I get there, I move it to the next intersection. And yes, I use the same pin until it’s dead.
Needles…..everyone has their favorite. When I see older packs of needles like this at a garage sale or thrift store, I grab them. They are inexpensive and it seems they last longer. They are also easy to thread. I do like betweens for piecing.
There you go! Anything you think I missed? I’d love to know what you feel is essential.
Have a great day!
KatyQuilts 
I have a spool of that thread and I’m going to try it for my hand piecing.
Katy! I found 2 of the above thimbles that are too large for my finger. I always buy a size small, but often find they’re either too big or too small. If you’d like to give them a try, let me know and I’ll send them to you.
I used to have that thimble and loved it! Unfortunately, it’s disappeared, along with all my other favorites. I also mark seam lines for hand sewing; otherwise my seams would be all over the place. I find any block that might be difficult to piece on a machine is very doable by hand.
I had to giggle about the “space age needles” which werevmade in England by a Chicago company!
I too love handquilting…. I use that thread for it, and the same thimble.