There are a few quilting notions I reach for so often that buying them in tiny quantities just doesn’t make sense anymore. Over the years—and after more than a few mid‑project pauses—I’ve slowly shifted toward stocking certain essentials in bulk. It’s saved me money, kept my creative flow uninterrupted, and given me that comforting feeling of always being ready for the next quilt idea that pops up. Today I’m sharing the notions I consistently buy in larger quantities, why they’ve earned a permanent spot in my studio, and how they help keep my quilting rhythm smooth and joyful.
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🧵 Thread: Why I Buy Cones Instead of Spools
One of the first switches I made in my quilting journey was moving from small spools to full cones of thread. After doing the math, it was an easy yes—cones are simply more cost‑effective when you’re piecing regularly, especially if you love chain piecing as much as I do.
My go‑to is a neutral beige 50wt Aurifil Thread that blends beautifully with most fabrics. I used to rely on natural white, but the beige disappears more gracefully into darker tones. I also keep a pale grey on hand for colourful projects. The exact colour isn’t important—what matters is choosing a shade that plays nicely with the fabrics you reach for most often.
If you’re curious why Aurifil has become my thread of choice, I’ve shared more about that in Why I love Aurifil Thread | 2019 Aurifil Artisan.
🌿 Batting: Keeping a Bolt on Hand
For years, I found myself pausing mid‑project because I’d run out of batting. It always broke my creative flow. Once again, a little math made the solution obvious: buying batting by the bolt is significantly more affordable than purchasing individual packages or yardage.
Now I always have what I need on hand, which means when the basting urge strikes, I can dive right in. If you want a deeper look at why I made the switch, I wrote about it in Why I Buy Batting by the Bolt. And if you’re ready to baste your next quilt, my How to Baste a Quilt tutorial walks you through the whole process.
✨ Sewing Machine Needles: The Box of 100 That Changed Everything
Another bulk buy that has made a huge difference in my sewing experience is machine needles. Instead of picking up tiny packs here and there, I committed to a box of 100. It sounds like a lot—and it is!—but it’s also one of the best investments I’ve made.
Changing your needle regularly is one of the simplest ways to improve stitch quality and reduce tension issues. I swap mine every three bobbin changes and clean my machine at the same time. This little ritual keeps everything running smoothly and pairs perfectly with my Sunday Sewing Room Maintenance Routine.
🪡 Hand Sewing Needles: Stocking Up for Smooth Stitching
Sharp needles matter just as much for hand sewing. A fresh needle glides through layers more easily, reduces strain on your hands, and helps your thread behave. I haven’t found large bulk packs of my favourite hand‑sewing needles yet (if you know of any, please tell me!), but I do stock up whenever I find them on sale. Having extras on hand means I never hesitate to switch to a fresh one.
If you’re building up your hand‑stitching toolkit, I’ve shared all my favourite tools and tips in my Hand Quilting Essentials post.
🌰 Pincushion Filling: The 10‑lb Bag That Keeps on Giving Up for Smooth Stitching
This one might seem a little quirky, but it has genuinely paid off: crushed walnut shells for pincushions. I go through pinnies in bursts—sometimes I make one, sometimes I make five—and having a big bag of filling ready to go is incredibly convenient.
Years ago, I picked up a 20‑lb bag from my local pet store and felt a little silly carrying it home… but it’s still going strong. I’ve made a noticeable dent in it recently, but there’s plenty left for future pincushion whims.
For easy projects that use this filling beautifully, take a peek at my DIY Pincushions guide or the Sit ’n Sew Pincushion pattern.
These bulk buys have become quiet little anchors in my quilting practice—simple things that remove friction, save money, and keep me stitching without unnecessary stops. If you’ve ever found yourself mid‑project wishing you had “just one more spool” or “a bit more batting,” I hope this list gives you ideas for building a studio setup that supports your creative flow, too. And if you have any notions you swear by in bulk, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
Happy quilting!
xo,
Shannon
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