Brand New Quilter ... where on earth do I start???????

Amanda - posted on 04/16/2011

I would start with pre-cut fabric. There are alot of different sizes and shapes. Start by sewing them together. A simple stitch and 1/4 inch seam would work. You also don't have to worry if you measured/cut wrong. Start with a baby blanket/lap quilt. They are relatively small and shouldn't take you too long to finish. With blocks or triangles it will also be easier to quilt together. You can follow seam lines or do a "stitch in the ditch" where you quilt 1/4 inch along the seam line.

Elizabeth - posted on 07/03/2010

As you know fabric can be very expensive...however, here is an online fabric store that sell pretty fabric for only $5.99 per yard / $4.99 per half yard and S&H is FREE! http://www.tripleecrafterfabric.com

Sylvia - posted on 05/11/2010

I'm so happy for you ! Glad to hear you will be quilting! Way to go! Yes start simple like a nine patch alternating that block with a plain block or do a trip around the world quilt as well.
For the best easy to make quilts & patterns/books use Eleanor Burns ~ Quilt in a day. She has a website as well for all her items & I love her book on 'Double Pinwheel' she really makes it super easy to make a pinwheel quilt using strips & sure wish I had been taught by her method when I first learned how to quilt.
Her books are good starting points if you are at home & don't have time for a class on quilting & want to learn as you have the time then her books are beautifully illustrated & easy to follow. You will enjoy them!

Also, a book called "Rings That Bind" by cheryl phillips & linda pysto really is an awesome demonstration step by step book on how to make a wedding ring quilt using strips.

For great inspiration & free patterns you can also go to www.quilterscache.com they have hundreds of free patterns instructions & pictures.

Hope that helps! : )

Casey - posted on 08/11/2009

Start small. Pick a block that looks easy to you. Try making one block and make a potholder out of it. It puts all of the techniques you need to learn on a small scale. Make a block about 6 to 8 inches and then go from there. The first quilt I made was a pinwheel quilt and I cut each trinagke out with a pair of scissors. Then, I discovered a rotary cutter and a ruler. Very nice if you decide to stick with it. Good luck, I love to quilt but with every project I do, I learn something new.

Sue - posted on 03/17/2009

I have learned that I love Applique better than peiced quilting....experiment with making a pillow first...then move toward the type that best suits you.

Yvonne - posted on 03/17/2009

update ... i recently bought "Quilting for Dummies" and "The Complete Idiots Guide to Quilting" ... after reading them i realized i should have read both before i ever picked up my sewing machine. a lot of things i havent been doing right or didnt know to do or shortcuts. i bought both used online (they got here and looked new) and paid half price. id start with these to learn the basics. best of luck!

Yvonne - posted on 02/16/2009

start simple. lol. everyone says it but they are all right. i started by doing a strip quilt and then appliqued on top of that and then added accents to those appliques. then quilted it all by hand. i had never used a sewing machine before. had no idea how to do any of it. lol. its not perfect. took two years off and on. but was worth it. learned so very much. what i learned was, choose a smaller size that is a trial project where you can practice several techniques. i also learned, after fighting with my sewing machine settings and thread for almost a month i should have asked for help or taken lessons. by the time i learned this of course my daughter was born and i had my son on the way (he was a gift that was conceived only 4 months after my daughter was born). i still plan to take proper classes at some point. until then i'll just keep working on my the skills i've developed from trial and error. lol. best of luck!

Erin - posted on 02/12/2009

Get on your local Freecycle web site and ask for patterns, books, fabric and even a machine. You would be amazed at what people don't want and are willing to give away for free.

Marcie - posted on 02/07/2009

I started with a Quilt In A Day book, log cabin pattern. It was easier than you would think. The directions in this book are very clear and pretty easy to understand.

Rita - posted on 02/03/2009

Hi Kat -

Quilters Cache is a good online source for free block patterns (easy to expert) and ideas.  Check it out at www.quilterscache.com.

Good luck,

Rita

Kathy - posted on 02/02/2009

Start simple. I would suggest starting with squares. Hand piece your quilt by putting two squares face to face. Use a running stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance starting and ending 1/4 inch from the edge. Press the seam open. When you have your top complete, sandwich batting between the top and back. Baste. To hand quilt, you will need a frame. You can pick up a small frame (about 1' square) inexpensively at your local craft store. When you have decided on a quilting pattern, mark it on the quilt top with a marking pencil or pen. Hand quilting stitches should ideally be small and even (ie. the space between stitches is equal to the stitches). To start, I would focus on even stitches then on getting them small. Hope this helps :o)