For weeks I have watched videos, read articles, searched forums, and I am more discouraged than ever. All you quilters make everything sound so easy. I can't find just a simple patch pattern. I don't want stars, diamonds, triangles, just squares. I am getting burned out on all the info and still not knowing anymore than I did when I started. I think I'll just buy a quilt.

Have you gone to

http://www.quilterscache.com/

This site ranks blocks on difficulty. I made my first quilt with blocks from this site and lots of help from the board.

Please don't get discouraged! There are many many one patch patterns. Why not try a simple four patch or nine patch? Try a two color quilt using squares. They are very pretty!

Just saw this quilt on here and it is a simple pattern:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-104337-1.htm

I don't have time to do challenging patterns- squares it is!!! I think my next one will be trip around the world- just search "trip around the world quilt pattern". It's just squares sewn together in a beautiful pattern. I'm raising 2 little kids so even when I do get time to sew, I don't need anything that requires too much thought either. Good luck and don't get discouraged. Do it to make yourself happy, not to impress others!

Turning Twenty is a very easy pattern. you should try it

Think about making some sampler blocks and turning them into pillows. It's a small project,you can tryout different types of patterns without a big expense. You get a taste of quilting without being overwhelmed by a big project

I kinda feel like you do sometimes. I'm pretty new too. I have done a Rail Fence, D9P, Bow Ties, Jacobs Ladder, and a few with triangles. All have been pretty easy. Still don't feel comfortable enough to do a block with lots of piecing. Everyone says a Pin Wheel is easy, but I just can't do it. The one quilt I did which I really like and was super easy was the Jacobs Ladder. I only used 2 colors and it turned out great. I used a darker blue pattern fabric for the ladder part and and white with a light blue pattern for the back ground. You should try this one. Really easy and all squares. :thumbup:

Have a look at the D9P Disappearing 9 Patch quilts.
You sew a block 3 squares x 3 squares and then cut it vertically and horizontally in the center. Switch two diagonal corners, and come up with a more complicated block, without any complicated sewing.

Don't be discouraged, just pick any of the simple block patterns mentioned here and begin. Sounds like you have overwhelmed your mind with to many designs.

If you have questions or concerns ask and you shall receive many answers. What you really need is a quilting buddy, less intimidating than the whole crowd. Although there is never a question that can't be answered. Someone always has the answer.

I am really busy at the moment with a quilt and lots of deployments for the Marines but I would be happy to help you with decisions and getting started. You may have to wait a few hours for me to get back online but I always answer, it just takes me 3 to 5 hours for each deployment.

Hugs,
Sharon

Here are a couple I have made using only squares. These are small quilts, as they were made for Quilts For Kids, but you could make them any size you wanted. Trip Around the World (the rainbow-colored quilt) was the design I chose for my first quilt some 30 years ago! The other quilt - the one with the puppy fabric - used a 6-1/2" square for the big block and four 3-1/2" squares for the four-patch. Really easy!

Oh, please don't be discouraged.
I don't even do a lot of the patterns because for me they are just too much for me to figure out at this point. I'm still a newbie as far as a lot of patterns go.

Just pick a size of square you want to use and if nothing else - just sew them together. Make a scrappy quilt in all squares with no real pattern design to it.

That's all this one was.

My first quilt was a Log Cabin. Easy and very forgiving. I would suggest using a Jelly Roll or Honey Bun pre cuts to make the log cabin blocks. You get to jump right to the fun part and not have to cut the strips. If you don't have fun with first quilts you will be discouraged fast.

I agree to start with a 4 patch. Look at some of the tutorials. Espscially the elmers glue one. It really helps me line up those corners. And if you have to rip it out, you will not be the first or the last one to do that. Enjoy your time creating! Hugs!

Have been Quilting for years, and won't touch some of the patterns here. They are Beautiful but not something I want to do... don't let these intimidate you. Enjoy the process, remember there are no Quilt Police, (ok some, but mostly ignored if not your style) :) Start simple 2 colors and a back and filling. Nothing wrong with big squares, and straight lines, everyone starts some where, start where your most comfortable and build from there if later want to try something more complex go for it.
Thats what make this fun to me, so much variety, and it's all warming/comforting, useful. Better than twiddling your thumbs.
Let me attach one did the other day, for an auction, and if you need some instruction pm me.
Don't give up, yes you can make a Quilt !!!

What I think is amazing about quilting is that you can pick a very simple quilt pattern and use amazing colors, with prints, bright colors and fun designs and the quilt pattern looks more complicated than it is. So when you look at some of the quilts here and you think everyone is so good at it, often it is easier than you think. After you make your first quilt you will just take steps into the more complicated patterns. Be gentle with yourself as a new learner and find fabric you love in a simple block and don't worry about perfection.

Good Luck and Enjoy the Ride...

Don't be discouraged. There are lots of patterns out there with just squares. Try Googling 4 patch patterns or 9 patch or brick road. Or just cut your squares to the size you want plus 1/2 inch for seam allowances, sew them together and add your borders if you want them. Its really not complicated

Don't be discouraged! This is a lot of fun! Please try looking at this site for ideas: www.quiltville.com. :)

Please don't get discouraged. Just try a small quilt. It doesn't take long to get hooked. Warm wishes is a pretty one to make.

My first quilt was a 2 1/2" strip log cabin made out of Eleanore Burns Quilt in a Day series. I used the book and now it is so worn it's practically falling apart because I kept it open on my sewing table all the time. What I loved about her is not only is she funny on line, but she is very simple: do this, now you are done with that fabric-get it outta here (on line she throws her scraps over her shoulder, funny, but all I can think about is the poor guy who has to pick the scraps up!). She even tells you how to tie it, and instead of binding she gives you a way to sew the top, backing and binding together and turn it inside out , which is what I did for my first quilt. And I loved it. Please don't give up before you start. Every quilt doesn't have to be big. If a log cabin doesn't interest you do the 4 or 9 patch in a doll quilt size. I bet once you jump in and do one, you'll be hooked. The other thing you might try is taking a beginners quilting course. They are given at a lot of LQS and even Joann's fabric has them sometimes or check adult education, jr colleges, quilt shows near where you live.

Don't give up! You can make a very nice quilt using squares and strips. Start out with a fabric you love and then add one or two more. I like using at least three colors or two patterns and one plain color. I lay them out and decide which ones I want next to each other. I decide how big I want my squares and I cut them out. Large squares makes it go fast. I then make strips half as wide as my squares. I sew a vertical row of squares alternating color and pattern. I then add a strip to that row. You can do it horizontally if you prefer. I keep going until I have almost the size quilt top I want. I then add a border that is a quarter the size of the original strips and then a border that is half the size of the original strip. That makes the math easy. When you add the borders, just square them up with each other and save the mitered corner method for a future quilt top. The whole process is easy and looks good when you are done. You could even just start with a table topper size to get the hang of things. Once you make one of these you will quickly move on to the other types of blocks that are still considered easy like the 4 square and the nine patch, etc. I hope I have made this easy to understand. If you chose this method, I'm sure you will be happy with the results and you will learn many of the basic steps to quilting.

Good Luck with whatever method you try. Please don't let giving up be an option. There are many books in JoAnns that teach basic quilting that are inexpensive. My first was Super Simple Quilts by Alex Anderson & Liz Aneloski. I read it over many times before I started. There are three patterns with three size options for each with supply lists. I paid $9.95 for it. Try http://www.youtube.com also. :)

I agree - log cabin is a good pattern to learn with. Another beginners pattern you might look for is a double rail fence.

Where do you live? I'm sure someone will give you all the help you want and need. If you are anywhere close to me, I would love to help. Even on this board, I would be glad to give you one on one help. The main thing is to enjoy your hobby. Which I do!!!!

Oh, don't stop! It's like jumping in a swimming pool-yes the water's cold at first but once your in you don't want out. Even if your first effort is a little wonky, I know you will be hooked. One of the first ones I did was out of the magazine Quick Quilts. Many of the patterns in there are beginner rated. Another idea is buy a set of charm packs (pre-cut 5" squares) and just sew them together. Buy one cute fabric with a motif, let's say frogs. Then buy a blue and a green. Cut your solids into 2 1/2" strips and make blue and green 4 patches. Then set them with your motif fabric. Super simple idea and cute results. The disappearing 9 patch sounds complecated but it is really simple and the results are awesome. There is a great tutorial here on the board. You can do it!!!!

Don't get discouraged and you don't need a pattern. Cut a bunch of 5" squares and sew them together, add a border and you have a quilt.

Quilts don't have to follow a pattern or be fancy. In fact my husband and boys prefer just plain squares the more mismatched the better. It's a good way to start to to practice even seems and matching corners.

Yes! Highly recommend this site!

Here is a very simple and basic block to make.
Beginner friendly and easy to make.
Pick your own colors and background fabric and you're good to go.
Here goes the link:

http://www.quilterscache.com/N/NinePatchBlock.html

Click on the above link and read the whole page and go on to the second page. Click on the links off the second page and it has step by step photos on how to make the block.

I hope this helps!

The problem is, some of the most talented quilters in the world are members of this forum and it's very easy to be intimidated by that. I also sometimes feel like the bar has been raised so high I can never achieve it!

But out there in the "real world" most people don't know a nine patch from an art quilt. They don't dwell on perfect seams and points. All they know about is the love and time you took to think of them and make their quilts.

Don't let the "honors class" scare you. I'm in the beginner/intermediate stage myself, so I ooh and aah at the pretty pretty, and then sit down and sew my squares together. My squares are better for my having been here and yours will be, too. :)

Go to allpeoplequilt.com and click on simple patterns. Lots of color choice ideas and all simple one patch.

With practice (lots of practice too) and determination, the fear will dissolve.
I was intimidated in the beginning.....the horrors of not getting the perfect 1/4' seam, but with practice and repetition, seams will improve.
You need to practice and experiment until you are satisfied with YOUR own work.

I sometimes make my seams a little larger than 1/4" for my purposes and if it's something that I am keeping or making for someone in the family.
If the blocks are for a swap, then meticulously the process is engaged with the cutting, pressing and sewing.

Don't give up! There r easy patterns. Try paper
Piecing.

There are quilters of ALL levels on this board and I can tell you that in the beginning, I was angsting over every step in my process. Easy? NOT! There are tons of patterns you can start with. Basic squares and snowballs, 4-patch, 9-patch, triple rail fence, roman stripe, log cabin. Trust me, take it one block and strip at a time, and before long you will chuckle when you re-read this post.

Don't be discouraged. I suggest the Warm Wishes (free) pattern .... it always turns out perfect. Yes I'm serious

http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/d...html?idx=5185_

I felt the same way when I first started, actually I still do. Anyway, I would use the pattern scowlkat suggested. It's pretty simple but looks great.

Start cutting, YOU CAN DO IT!

Squares work for me. Don't over-think it. Just grab your fabric and start putting it together. Keep in mind the end goal. To have something warm to snuggle with. You don't need any other agenda.

Below is a picture of my first quilt. Just simple squares, laid out in a pattern. I didn't use any guides or patterns and totally just learned as I went. Don't get discouraged and give up...find some pretty fabric, cut it in squares and sew it together, DONE! You could even go the route of charm packs with a whole bunch of different fabrics, gives a "controlled scrappy" look -- many fabrics, different prints and looks, but all matching one another. If you make a simple one patch quilt and don't find yourself addicted...well, that's JUST FINE! Not every hobby/craft is for everyone and you will find your thing. But don't give up before you start!

This looks easy.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-104337-1.htm

May I recommend BUY A BEGINNER'S BOOK?
Pam Bono's "Your First Quilt Book (or it should be)" is a good one.

oK, Take a deep breath, pic three simple patterns. Close your eyes and pic one and don't look back. That first cut is scary, but just think of the end result. Ignore all of those question in your head,like what if I mess up? What if I don't have enough fabric?, what if I cut it wrong?etc. EVERBODY thinks that & makes those mistakes. Thats part of the learning curve. We will be here every step of the way for you , just ask , and someone will have an answer. Then sandwich that baby and quilt it. If your seams didn't match, ah well, turned a block wrong, been there done that , oh well. You will have made your first and you know what ? You will do the same thing that all of us did. You'll say "next time I will ..........." and then post a picture where we can oooh & aaahhh over it. See, thats easy. :thumbup:

look at this! just 4 squares!!

http://proficientneedle.blogspot.com...our-patch.html