These are my tried and true crafting tools after more than a decade of crafting for a living.
Did you know that crafting is literally my full time job? For over a decade now I have been working in the craft industry through my website. I have worked with dozens of different craft businesses, done almost every type of craft and have tried a lot of different tools. So of course I have some favorite tools and today I thought it might be fun to share them with you.
I only share tools that I truly believe are the best in their class, that I personally own, use, and love. If I don’t have a tool in a particular category listed, it’s because I haven’t found a clear winner yet, but in the future if I find one, I’ll update this post with any additions.
If you want to see all my picks in one place, I’ve made one Amazon Storefront Page with links to all my favorite tools.
Silhouette Cameo 4
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is my favorite craft tool hands down. It’s so versatile and helps me achieve really polished, professional results. I love being able to cut paper and vinyl designs. I have also used it to cut felt. I love making stickers and labels using the Print & Cut feature. If you want a versatile toy that you will play with for years to come, this is it. There are only so many possibilities that open up when you own a Silhouette machine. And yes, I prefer the Silhouette over the Cricut. Both machines cut well, but if you want full creative control, the Silhouette software is just much better for designing projects from scratch, and that’s a hill I’m willing to die on.
Cutting mats for Silhouette or Cricut
The Silhouette brand cutting mats are great, but I found these cutting mats on Amazon for so much cheaper. I took a chance on ordering them the first time, but they work just as well, so I’ve never looked back. If you own a Cricut, the same company makes them these mats which are compatible.
Scraper
I have this scraper for applying self-adhesive vinyl, but I use it for everything. I even used it when wallpapering our bathroom! It’s just the right size and stiffness, and while it’s not necessary (you could always use an old gift card instead), I really love it and recommend it if you do a lot of vinyl.
Weeding tools
When I got my first Silhouette machine, I didn’t want to spend any extra money on weeding tools, so I used a straight stick to weed my vinyl designs. Then someone gave me one Silhouette tool kit and wow! The hook is awesome! It has a very ergonomic shape and is much more comfortable to hold when doing tedious, detailed weeding. They sell an almost identical one hook at Dollar Tree. I also love the spatula to get little bits of paper off my cutting mats. Again you can get the entire set from Silhouette or find one at Dollar Tree.
Best paper scissors
I have two pairs of universal scissors that are my favourites. These scissors with gold handles has so much weight, feels good in the hands and bonus… they are pretty to look at. The other pair of scissors I’ve come to love are these Fiskars Mixed Media scissors. They are super sharp and have a really ergonomic handle that fits my hand shape and makes it very comfortable to cut through even thick material like chipboard.
Best fabric scissors
I have owned these Fiskars fabric scissors for 20+ years and they are my absolute favorite. My old pair looks a little different, but the one I’ve linked is the upgraded model. The handles are spring-loaded, making it so much easier to cut through even the thickest fabric. They pop back up after you’ve clamped the blades together. They are amazing!
Scissor sharpener
Even if you are not a craftsman, this scissors sharpener is a must-have. It brings the old scissors back to life. Just push the blades into the holes and squeeze the handles a few times and your scissors will be as good as new.
Rotary cutter, mat and ruler
If you quilt at all, you absolutely need a good rotary cutter, mat and ruler. They help you cut perfectly square and straight pieces of fabric. I have used Fiskars Rotary Cutter since my high school quilting class and it’s amazing. Be very careful to always close it – it’s super sharp and will cut you! Honestly, I don’t have a specific brand of cutting mat or ruler, but I do have a suggestion. GO BIG! Most fabric is about 43 inches across and you really want to be able to cut large pieces, so in this case bigger really is better. This cutting mat is a great size and price and has great reviews and this Ruler is a good companion.
Magnetic stick holder
When I first started sewing, I had the iconic tomato pincushion. That’s fine, but you know what’s better? ONE magnetic stick holder! It’s so much easier to just throw the stick in the right general area and have the magnet grab it. Fewer sticks fall on the floor or roll away when I use it. Mine is an old boring black, but the one I linked is a cute color and even has a little place to store sticks.
Cute wire racks
My most asked about craft items ever are these sewing machine thread stand. You can see them on the wall in the picture above. I got mine at a thrift store (I squealed with joy when I saw them and snapped them up so quick), but Hobby Lobby sells almost identical wire racks, and they’re the only ones I can find anywhere similar.
Best glue gun
Ok, this is an important category for me. I own eleven glue guns. ELEVEN. And guess what? It’s a clear winner for best glue gun.
my criteria? The perfect glue gun must:
- heat up quickly
- have a nozzle with a fine tip for precise glue application
- most importantly, it CANNOT DRIP
I loathe a dripping glue gun. Nothing is more annoying to me than an idle glue gun just sitting there spitting a big mess on my table. Boo! Say no to dripping glue guns! There is a better way to live.
I bought this glue gun because it supposedly hit all the marks, plus it had features I didn’t even know I needed – the big one being that it automatically shuts off after more than 15 minutes of inactivity. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left my glue gun on for days without realizing it. I’m lucky my house didn’t burn down. This feature sold me.
I also love that it’s wireless and charges via USB cable so you don’t need batteries. It is very convenient when there is no outlet nearby. One must be ready to create anytime, anywhere. (Words to live by, right there.)
And the last reason this is the best glue gun is because it’s pink. And it’s sweet. And you know what? It means something to me. ha ha.
If you want to check out the details, you can see this magic glue gun here:
The Craft Patch’s favorite glue gun
I’m always trying new things and testing products, so if you have a favorite tool I haven’t listed or one you’d like me to test, I’d love for you to leave a comment and tell me all about it.
