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Boston1954 02-06-2010 12:51 PM

I mean you NEVER took a class. Everything you know about quilting is from trial and error, or books and television.

The reason I never took a class is because when I started out, I did not know they had them. By the time I realized it, I pretty much knew my way around the sewing machine. I still could take one, but now I would rather spend the $$ on more fabric. ;)

thismomquilts 02-06-2010 12:55 PM

Self taught

QuiltingGrannie 02-06-2010 12:56 PM

Never took a class (quilting) in my life. I did have sewing in high school and my mother was a seamstress (clothes) but I've learned all I know about quilting from: Co-worker and customers, a few tips from my daughter, this board, books, and searching the internet.

Newby0709 02-06-2010 12:56 PM

self taught - never taken a class - can't afford it

mpspeedy 02-06-2010 12:58 PM

I am basically self taught. My mother was actually a Home Ec major in college but she didn't have time or energy to teach me to sew. She and I did take a night school tailoring class at the local high school when I was in my late teens. I think I have taken two actual quilting workshops given by quilt instructors but never a one on one instruction. I had been quilting for at least 15 years before I met another actual quilter. I actually entered a quilt in the Great AMerican Quilt Contest to celebrate the BiCentential. My husband took me to NY to the quilt show where the winners and runners up were displayed. That was the first time I saw another living quilters work. I was blown away. In the years since I have seen many a trunk show or talk by a "professional" quilter. I still basically do my own thing.

dakotamaid 02-06-2010 12:58 PM

My Grandma and Aunt taught me how to quilt when I was a teen and from there I've expanded my knowledge with a class here and there, lots of reading and talking to other quilters and of course this board is full of knowledge!. :D :D :D :D :D :D

Quilter Marshall 02-06-2010 01:01 PM

I have never had a "store bought class" lol I started out about 33 years ago witha paper magazine from one of the quilt co. It was trial and era. I still dont know how I done it then. I even made a Elvis Presley quilt. It was something else!. I appliqued a hound dog and a guitar and some blue shoes. I didnt know anything Ha

pinklissamel 02-06-2010 01:05 PM

Self taught classes are never available and when they are I cant attend so its all me, which explains why I have only made 3 actual quilted items.

littlehud 02-06-2010 01:23 PM

Never took a class. My sis and I learned from self help books. She didn't like it and I was hooked.

thequilterslink 02-06-2010 01:24 PM

My mom and grandmother quilted, so i picked up stuff over the years from them, they were both gone by the time i started quilting tho, so i started out just learning from books, trial and error, eventually i joined a guild and took off from there, now i take an occasional class, buy a book once in a while, mostly i get ideas from then net and friends.

patricej 02-06-2010 01:36 PM

Simply Quilts was my classroom until it went off the air.

Charlee 02-06-2010 01:41 PM

Years ago...self taught.

Now that I'm starting to quilt again? The wonderful people on this board....and other internet resources.

Beachbound 02-06-2010 01:44 PM

I did take 1 class on hand quilting. Best thing I ever did! I learned how to use a lap hoop instead of bunching the whole thing up in my hand, lol. Other than that it's books, magazines & trial & error. Hubby bought me a Bernina for Christmas & I have spent more time in the classroom learning about the machine than ever learning about quilting.

feline fanatic 02-06-2010 01:48 PM

I started out self taught from books. But because I always wonder if I am understanding directions correctly I took a beginners quilting class at Jo Anns after I had been into it for a couple of months. Turns out I was the star pupil in that class so I guess I understood the directions correctly. We made 4 blocks in that class from a beginning quilt making book. I went on to complete the entire quilt which was my first. Since then I have taken classes/workshops on specific techniques like paper piecing and machine quilting and one to make a type of pine tree block. I also took a long arm class. No class ever cost me more then $30 or $40. I'd say the paper peicing class was the best money spent. Don't think I would have quite figured that one out without some hands on instruction.

Chele 02-06-2010 02:03 PM

I've never taken a class but want to very badly. I haven't seen many offered around here.

Up North 02-06-2010 02:03 PM

My mother was a quilter and tied her quilts I had a great Aunt that hand quilted and one day while surfing the net thought, HMMM I'm gonna try that, no lessons. and the funny thing is I remember my mom's quilts but never her doing the process. My first quilt is my avitar picture and I just flew from there so the internet and of course this board are my teachers. I read lots on hand quilting and that is what I prefer to do.

grammynan 02-06-2010 02:08 PM

I haven't taken a class either. I've learned everything from books, magazines and now the Quilting Board!

pam1966 02-06-2010 02:18 PM

I've never taken a class. With a 2 year old, I don't have the time.

butterflywing 02-06-2010 02:20 PM

self-taught

butterjoy 02-06-2010 02:21 PM

I am teaching myself. I do ask for advice from and learn from everyone on this board. I am truly grateful for their ideas.

athenagwis 02-06-2010 02:22 PM

I am self-taught and I am still not very good I think, but I plug along and usually make up all my designs so no one can tell me they are wrong!! :) I would like to take a class for a specific kind of block or quilt (I think I'm past needing a beginners class), but I haven't found any that strike my fancy yet.

Rachel

Eddie 02-06-2010 02:22 PM


Originally Posted by Boston1954
NEVER took a class. Everything you know about quilting is from trial and error, or books

Yep!

MaryStoaks 02-06-2010 02:28 PM

I've never had a class. I learned as a child watching my mom, I cut all her pieces, but never quilted myself until I was an adult. I have also learned lots from TV, books, and online. I'm not afraid to ask a "stupid question". There's a lot I still have to learn.

lfw045 02-06-2010 02:32 PM

Me, myself and I...lol!

wvdek 02-06-2010 02:40 PM

Me too 'ceptin for the pointers my old boss gave me.

roselady 02-06-2010 02:41 PM

Thirty years ago, I wanted to make a quilt. I had sewn for awhile so I thought, no problem, I have a pattern and I can follow it. WRONG!!! I didn't realize how different quilting would be from sewing clothes. I quit, until I found a class in the early 80's, what a difference a few little tips can make. I haven't taken a class for years now, I can usually figure most things out even without a pattern now, but there are some hints that help SO much, if you want things to come out right, with some precision.

thequilteddove 02-06-2010 02:49 PM

Most everything I learn I learned from the internet :) Classes don't usually fit in to my schedule & I'd rather use the $$$$ for more fabric!

QuiltMania 02-06-2010 02:59 PM

Self taught here.

Chrys 02-06-2010 03:00 PM

never taken a class...though I learn alot from my aunt and grandma.

gramqlts 02-06-2010 03:19 PM

My grandmother quilted but I just remember watching her and the ladies at her church sitting around a quilting frame together at the Church when I was a small child. Don't actually remember seeing her doing the piecing, etc. I self taught myself when I got pregnant with my first child back in 1973. Did about half a dozen quilts using polyester knits and then picked it up again about ten years ago. Took my first class at local quilt guild a couple of years ago after quilting off and on for 30 years.

Bill'sBonBon 02-06-2010 03:25 PM

Self Taught, been sewing all my life,always loved quilts but didn't know I could do them until 2004. Looked at mags. bought books did trial and error, sew and rip :lol: Never had a class would like to one day.
BillsBonBon

Carm 02-06-2010 03:27 PM

I am self taught as well. When I started sewing and quilting I don't think there were many, if any, classes near my rural area. And anyways, I didn't have the extra money to spend on classes. I bought a book on quilting and questioned anyone in my family who had ever quilted or helped to quilt. My great-grandmother( who was deceased at that time), my grandmother, aunt and my husbands grandmother gave me some tips on putting a quilt in to a frame and knotting the thread and snapping in to the batting and that's about it. I watched the few sewing shows, two shows I think at that time. I made my first quilt in 1986! I, too, could take a class now if I wanted to but I would rather buy the fabric and a quilting book and figure it out on my own!

Originally Posted by Boston1954
I mean you NEVER took a class. Everything you know about quilting is from trial and error, or books and television.

The reason I never took a class is because when I started out, I did not know they had them. By the time I realized it, I pretty much knew my way around the sewing machine. I still could take one, but now I would rather spend the $$ on more fabric. ;)


mimisharon 02-06-2010 03:30 PM


Originally Posted by thismomquilts
Self taught

me too

pocoellie 02-06-2010 03:33 PM

Never took a class or lesson. In high school, I wouldn't have been caught dead in any type of "home ec" class. LOL

mcdaniel023 02-06-2010 03:38 PM

Self taught except what I learned from El Burns, Kaye Woods and Simply Quilts. That was a lot of learning. They used to be on all day.

Ditter43 02-06-2010 03:50 PM

Self taught...didn't even take home ec in hs. First learned to sew when my first child was born almost 50 years ago. Learned to hand sew first till I could afford a sewing machine. I remember my first sewing machine was a "new home." Many, many years ago!!

Ditter

jimrdeb 02-06-2010 03:58 PM

I am self taught also. Read books and watched videos online.
Still today alot of trial and error!

Bottle Blonde 02-06-2010 04:00 PM

Self-taught. I worked a full-time job and had 4 kids - no time for classes.

chris_quilts 02-06-2010 04:09 PM

Self taught altho I had home-ec in 7th and 8th grade. Hated the sewing part and loved the cooking. Wish now I had had paid more attention during the sewing semesters but I do read books, look on the Internet and this board of course. I'd like to take a class but don't know what in what area I'd take one.

barnbum 02-06-2010 04:14 PM

Self taught. I used to read the quilting books I couldn't afford--at the fabric store, try to remember what I read, then run home to try it. I don't think I could sit through a class.


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