I have not yet made a quilt and was wondering if anyone had any good advice for a first timer? I can do a rag quilt, but not the other kind. I just bought a new machine, and it had this long arm thing for quilting and does all kinds of decorative stitching, but I have not even attempted to try it yet. I have no idea how to make the pretty quilters blocks with the diamond shapes and stuff when put together. I can only do one pattern as a block, for now. Hoping to learn more as I go. But if anyone can give me any great advice you received just starting off that you think will help please do.
Thanks

jen do they offer classes at the shop you bought the machine from? If so go take them. If not find a quilt shop near you or join a guild and hopefully you can find someone to help you. Otherwise it is you and the machine doing trial and error..good luck..crafty_linda_b sittin' & quiltin' on the Cal-Ore border

Hello from Indiana! Look at tutorials on you tube. I am pretty much self taught myself. Books are always good too. Your public libray should have quilting books available.

I've never attempted the diamond shapes and I've been quilting 2.5 years. There are some wonderful quilts with basic blocks to get you started. If you have a local quilt shop nearby, by taking a beginners class you'll learn a ton of information!

Take your time in getting to those diamond and triangle shapes. Taking on too much too fast will only lead to frustration and disenchantment with what can be a wonderful hobby!

Read, read, read, and ask questions...someone here will have an answer for you! :)

I am a self-taught quilter and i am enjoying every new technique i learn. Most of my learning process was through youtube videos. There are amazing easy to follow videos there that you can make a lot of nice quilts, especially beginner ones. I did most of the quilt of Jenny on Missouri Star Quilt Company on youtube. She is amazing and her instructions are easy to follow. Good luck and enjoy your quilting :-)

I agree start slowly! Do various blocks and go from there. I taught myself 2 yrs ago and still learning! Check out quilterscache.com for free patterns and try paper piecing!!

Look at http://www.quilterscache.com/

All the quilt blocks there are labeled by difficulty. Pick an easy on that you like and give it a try. If you pick four different ones that you like, you can make a wall hanging. That's a good place to start.

Jump in. Get started. Come back with questions when you are stuck. The Board will get you through.

Keep that seam allowance! Take your time and use your tutorials.

A couple of years back I uploaded a basic website with loads of links, some may be obsolete now but most of them are OK, have a look see: http://quiltingaddict.110mb.com/favouritelinks.htm

I wouldn't worry about triangles etc; at present my advice would be to do a basic quilt, like Disappearing 9 Patch http://quiltsatcs.blogspot.com/2007/...-tutorial.html or Yellow brick road, that will give you confidence with your machine and piecing.

All good advice here. Whatever you do, keep quilting. It doesn't matter if it's basic blocks or the most extreme art quilt. Just keep doing it.

Ivnest in Instructional DVD's over books...Carol Doak has a great PP'ing and Fons and Porter have everything...I'm a person who needs to see it done versus reading how it's done.

Thanks ya'll!

Start with something small such as cushions or potholers and them move up to a baby quilt. If you have to rip out quilting lines you won't be overwhelmed. Give yourself enough space to spread out your project and get yourself seated comfortably. Pin or baste your project really well before you start to quilt. I like to work in sections so I put in one horiontal and one vertical line of stitching to divide my projects into quarters. Pick a simple pattern such as cross hatching, stitch in the ditch or outline quilting. A panel makes a great practice piece and can then be used for a baby quilt. Don't expect perfect results at first. This is a new skill that takes time to learn.