What to Bring to a Quilt Workshop

A quilt workshop needs more than fabric and sewing machines. Each participant needs a clear work area, accurate cutting tools, sewing supplies, and access to an iron without creating tangled cables or queues. Plan the shopping and equipment around the number of participants, then prepare work kits and printed patterns before the day. This list also covers the items people often remember too late, including extension cords, machine feet, lighting, and coffee service.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 30
Registration desk
Clothes racksqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6

Quilting materials

Cutting matsqty 12
Patchwork rulersqty 12
Rolling Knivesqty 12
Fabric scissorsqty 24
Seam towersqty 12
Pin cushionsqty 12
Measuring tapesqty 12
Ironsqty 4
Ironing boardsqty 4
Sewing machinesqty 8
Machine feetqty 8
Wire cuttersqty 12
Thimblesqty 24
Dust clampsqty 120

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 10
Power stripsqty 10
Cable traysqty 6
Projector
Projection screen
Portable lampsqty 8

Tableware

Platesqty 30
Mugsqty 30
Glassesqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 30

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Serving traysqty 4
Soup bowlsqty 30
Serving spoonsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Cotton patchwork fabric - 50 meter
- Quilt batting - 25 meters
- Backdrop fabric - 30 meters
- Quilt thread - 30 spools
- Machine needles - 48 pieces
- Hand needles - 48 pieces
- Spare utility knife blades - 24 pieces
- Fabric chalk - 24 pieces
- Fabric glue - 12 tubes
- Paper patterns - 30 sets
- Name stickers - 40 pieces
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sandwiches - 40 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 6 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilos
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Breadsticks - 4 packs
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate bars - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Allow one work table and one chair per participant, plus a separate registration desk and enough space for cutting and pressing stations. Avoid leaving table setup until the morning if machines and cutting mats need testing.
Prepare one work kit and one printed pattern for every participant, with a small spare supply of fabric, thread, pins, and paper. A 10% spare allowance is useful for damaged pieces or late registrations.
Plan one cutting mat, patchwork ruler, rotary cutter, fabric scissors, measuring tape, pin cushion, and seam tool per two participants unless your group is small. Shared tools create queues quickly during the first cutting session.
Provide at least one sewing machine for every one or two participants, and check the correct machine feet before the workshop. Test every machine at least one day beforehand, rather than discovering missing feet or faulty cables during setup.
Count power strips and extension cords by table, then add cable trays to keep walkways clear. Set up one ironing board and iron for every four to six participants, and bring portable lamps if the room has uneven lighting.

Frequently asked questions

What fabric do I need for a quilt workshop?: Use the workshop pattern to calculate the fabric requirement for each participant, then add about 10% for cutting mistakes and replacements. Prewash the fabric at least 24 hours before the workshop so it is dry and ready to cut.
How many sewing machines do I need for a quilt workshop?: Plan for one sewing machine per one or two participants. For 12 participants, that means 6 to 12 machines, depending on whether people will share machines during the session.
How many cutting tools are needed for a quilting class?: Provide one cutting station for every two participants where possible. Each station should have a cutting mat, patchwork ruler, rotary cutter, fabric scissors, measuring tape, and a safe place for pins.
When should I prepare the quilt workshop supplies?: Order fabric and other workshop materials at least two to three weeks before the event. Assemble kits, print patterns, test machines, and check cutting tools no later than one day before the workshop.

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