Hello Everyone out of Switzerland
 

Hello Everyone :o
I'm probably a bit the outsider here since I'm from Europe so I thought I also give a short introduction.
I am above my 30's and live in Switzerland near Zurich. Unfortunately quilting is not so popular here, with very few stores to find information on fabric, threads n Co. I've only been sewing a bit before but would like to do a bit more out of it, since I've seen some beautiful quilt-artwork style at a friends house and totally fell in love with it.
So feel free to ask whatever you would like to know. :)

:cool:and if there's nothing to be asked, I'm theoretically kind of trying to get an overview in what is important for quilting. Since I've only been sewing before, I haven't come across so many different decisions about fabricquality, thread-types, machine- brands (eg differences in quality), stores (buying online vs buying in the real world)

I apologize for being a newbie ;) but I'm really looking forward to dive into this beautiful activity.
Sincerely
Nina

Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting-so glad you could join us-there are lots of good ideas here and friendly people who can point you in the right direction-looking forward to seeing your work!!!!

Hi Nina, welcome from New Hampshire.
There are many European members on this Board - they may be able to help you locate sources for quilting supplies

Hello alfosa and gollytwo
thank you for your reply.
I'm currently still in the planing phase of what I want to make and what material/equipment I'm going to need.
@gollytwo I actually also found some pretty nice online stores. Unfortunately the nicest one's are from America. Do you buy your materials online or in stores? I assume that online it's cheaper but it's easier to get second opinions and inspiration by local stores.

Something I'm also wondering(i read it online) that you should decide in an early stage what brands to use because it might be a hassle to quilt with different brands of thread and material, what do you guys suggest?

Welcome from Minnesota USA and happy quilting :)

Welcome from Michigan!:)

Welcome from the Suburbs of Chicago. Good to have you here with us.
As for buying fabric , I buy online and in person. There are many very good online stores for supplies. Many ship international. I know our prices in the US are much less than many Countries.
This is one of my favorites, and ship international
http://www.favoritefabric.com/

this store really does have beautiful fabric! But I'll have to doublecheck with them because they ship to pretty much every country except switzerland. I wonder for what reason.
Is it true, that for quilting, you should only take woolen threads and no artificial polyester?
I kind of like the shiny colours of the polyster one's to be honest :shock:

I do buy from a couple of local quilt shops. But, I'd say about 85% of my purchases are on line.
http://www.favoritefabrics.com has good prices and selection.
http://www.paducah-hancock.com has alot of good sale fabrics
http://www.keepsakequilting.com has a vast selection but is expensive
http://www.fabric.com has good prices - best source for Robert Kaufman Kona solids
http://www.connectingthreads.com is a great Board members favorite. I don't use them but others like alot.
http://www.maryjos.com has a wondeful selection of fabric
http://www.marshalldrygoods.com is another good fabric source at good prices.
Good luck
for machine piecing I use Superior Threads titanium #12 exclusively - they last forever.
I machine piece with different threads in the bobbin and on top. Top is usually Aurifil 50wt and Bottom Line is my bobbin thread always. http://www.superiorthreads.com
Every quilt I make has fabric from different manufacturers - makes no difference.
I do very little hand quilting, but when I do I use whatever thread appeals to me - cotton or poly. I never quilt with wool thread, even when the quilt fabric is wool.

:) welcome from se Texas -- this site offers so much!

Hi gollytwo
Thank you very much for your detailed response! I will gladly look into those stores!
When do you make the difference between purchasing on line and in person? I have a bit of a hard time buying online but I'm afraid my "local" store will shut down pretty soon since it has become very difficult for them to exist.
So you also mix up different brands of thread and it doesn't really matter at all?
I just heard that color wash outs are common (cotton/wool) and it can look pretty bad in the end if you choose different brands. I don't want this to happen. In the past I pretty much just used polyester therefore.
Are there big quality differences by brands? (The prices at least sometimes would suggest so..)
I also wanted to try some silk threads once, is it a lot different?
thank you all so much for your help!

Welcome from SC Texas. So happy you joined us. I always wash my fabrics before I work with them to take care of any colors running or shrinkage. I starch and iron before cutting. Always measure twice before you cut. I keep scraps of cheap fabrics to practice each new block before I cut into my good fabrics. Any questions you have there is always someone here that will help you, just ask. Happy quilting.

Welcome from the California desert.:thumbup:

Welcome from the desert in Washington State... wayyyy over on the west coast!

There are wonderful suggestions that have already been listed here and also tons more on this board. You mentioned you like the polyester fabrics. It wouldn't hurt for you to try a doll quilt size (anywhere from 12" x 12" to 24" x 24") of each fabric you think you are interested in... 100% cotton verses polyester. By working in a smaller quilt you will find out how each type works and what you like. In "art" quilts, just about anything works. Sheers, anything. Not sure if you have run into this on this board yet but a lot of people work with used clothing purchases at thrift shops.

We were all newbies once, both in quilting and on this board. The nice thing about the board is that the welcome mat is always there/here! So, welcome!

Hello Nina, welcome from Oklahoma!!!

Hello Nina, welcome from northern California! You will enjoy it here, there is so much help available!

Welcome from Miami, you will have lots of fun here and we have quilters from all over the world! Ask questions you will find everyone here friendly and helpful.

Hiya nina, and welcome from the Central West Coast of Florida,and Im a newbie too, and understands how you feel so many differences from the just sewing world to quilting, but I'm having fun and I'm getting a little stash built up, some gorgeous fabrics and precuts etc... now i need to really get busy... Welcome to a lovely group of friends who know everything...

Howdy and welcome, from Texas! We all started out as newbies. :)

Nina welcome!! Im also in Europe!!

Welcome from Texas!

Hi from Ohio .

Another hi from Texas, though I am originally from England.
It is a shame your local fabric store is not doing well. People on this board seem very helpful and able to offer tips and advice. Good luck to you.

Hi!
Thank you so much! I just finished looking threw those links and I'm quite overwhelmed by the selection they all have! It's really hard not to try to buy it all :D

Never would have thought that there are so many stores out there!
What type of machine are you using for your work?

Hallo Rachel!
Das finde ich super! Kaufst du deine Sachen auch online ein oder bei lokalen Shops?
Hast du evtl. ein paar Tipps bezüglich Marken die du am liebsten benützt (Faden, Stoff, Maschinen) oder auch Shops hier in Europa? Ich habe noch nie etwas aus Amerika bestellt und befürchte dass es wahrscheinlich schon ziemlich teuer werden kann.
Liebe Grüsse

Hi Nina and welcome to the quilting world from NE Ohio, USA.

Welcome from WI.

Hello Nina!
Welcome from Minnesota! :)

Welcome Nina, from the great state of New York. I'm nere here too and so far loving this quilting place. The people are friendly and LOTS of acitivity all over.

Hello friends....
I am new member of this community. My self stenthpatric I always share some good and latest fashion information. I always prefer to know some good and latest information about latest fashion so I want to share and get some good knowledge of latest clothes information.

Welcome from Oklahoma. You live in a beautiful part of the world as I have visited Zurich. I am just learning quilting myself but I suppose we are all learners. I thought of one bit of advise to give you when purchasing fabric, buy enough that you won't be caught short if there is a mistake or you put it away for a time and it is discontnued. :)

Hi from Victoria Australia.

I buy on line and locally - fabric is expensive in Australia. Hancocks of Paducha and Fabric Depot have both been excellent suppliers to me for a long time now. You can mix fabrics from different manufacturers, sometimes to get the colours or the effect you want you will have to specially with your Art Quilts. Your machine may be the decision maker with which threads you use and poly has it's uses to be sure. No question is too silly because we have all at some stage asked it ourself and this is the family that gives the best support and encouragement for your quilting journey. Welcome Home.