What is the best way to "get started" for a beginner? Does anyone know of any beginner classes near Wilmington or Fayetteville, NC?

Hi gmac and welcome! I learned how to quilt from the quilting for idiots book. :lol: But you can do a search on how to make a quilt and learn that way too. The railfence is a good one to start with, or just squares the same size.

I'm sure someone else could be more helpful than me.

There are many good books out there. I was told to get the book " Your first quilt book, or it should be ". Check at your library and see what they have. Maybe look thru the books and see what might work best for you , before you buy one.
By the way.. HI and Welcome from Northern Indiana
Sharon

Welcome from central IL. You may not need classes. Just buy fabric, cruise the internet and start sewing. When you get stuck come back here and someone will pull you through it. If that's not your style, Hunnib lives in Wilmington. She might know of classes.

Also try this link and scroll down. It gives contact info for the Wilmington quilt guild. Someone there should know.

http://www.quiltguilds.com/north-carolina.htm

I took a class when I first started but it was from the "Quilts Quilts Quilts" book which really covers quite an array of methods. Do you have a LQS (local quilt store) in your area? I'd check there for classes. Sometimes the community centers here have them too, but I don't know about your area.

Welcome. You could try an internet class as well. Read magazines. I like the book Quilts, Quilts, Quilts! a lot. One of your local libraries probably has several books of interest.

I'm not sure if you listen to podcasts or not but Annie Smith from Quilting Stash does online classes - you could check her out. Her podcasts are very informative.

Valerie
www.pastimesonline.ca/vals-quilting

Here are some great beginner's tutorials that our member ShellyQ put together with great pictures :D :D :D

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/6460.page Lesson One

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/7358.page Lesson Two

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/8342.page Lesson Three

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/9327.page Lesson Four

Hi gmac and welcome. I live near Fayetteville and I would suggest calling Loving Stitches Quilt Shop on Ramsey St. Carol who is the owner can probably help you with classes.

I was told to get the book " Your first quilt book, or it should be ".

I have this book and would recommend it. Very helpful. I also have one called Quilting 101 I think. Hardbound with a spiral inside. Also I very helpful book. Got this one at Joann's.

HTH

Sara