dunster

YBR was my first quilt too, and I can guarantee there's no way to really mess it up, or I would have found it. If it's hard to sew at home because of distractions and space, you might be able to do your sewing at the quilt shop. Many shops let quilters come in and use their facilities. Often there's a small charge, but then you also get expert advice from the quilt shop owner. Another possibility is to sew with a guild or other sewing group. If you have a definite time and place it may be easier to get motivated. Be sure to post a picture when you're finished!

crafty pat

We all had our first quilt and felt the pressure of jumping in. As others have said just pick one up and get started. I never had a set place to sew until we moved here. I always had to stay out of the kids way or things got moved and lost. I just told them I am using this space now and hands off. Once you start cutting and working on it you will start having fun and get addicted to it like the rest of us. Good luck with it.

Prism99

I tell myself over and over, "done is better than perfect"! Also, I take a kitchen timer and set it for 10 minutes with the promise that all I have to do is work on the quilt until the timer goes off; invariably I am very surprised by how much I got done in that 10 minutes and want to continue on. If I'm still anxious, I just reset the timer for another 10 minutes. It's a way of getting over the "hump" of getting started.

Regarding which project to start with, I would recommend Yellow Brick Road just because there really is no right-or-wrong to that pattern, even if you cut some of the blocks incorrectly. Like Tim Gunn, you can just "make it work" no matter what mistakes you have made along the way with cutting or sewing. Easy peasy.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

There are really not many unfixable mistakes in quilting. You may not always end up with the exact quilt you planned to make, but you always end up with a quilt. And besides, half the fun of the board is listening to each other's crazy mess up stories.

Take a deep breath and do it. If you mess up, come to the board, tell your story and someone will have a new plan. Remember even if you know about the mess ups after the quilt is finished no one else will ever know.

Stitch124

You all are awesome!!

AliKat

I know that I can't cut when others are near. I am too easily distracted. I can Best Press and iron my material and then later sew with others. Cutting ... is a meditative place without any distractions.

Though, a friend doesn't have my problem, she does cut only a few blocks at a time. Me, I will usually do all the cutting and then sew.

ali

Jackie Spencer

Take a deep breath and go for it!!! Your about to start on a journey you will never regret, this is just the beginning, and it only gets easier and better. ENJOY!!

liking quilting

Some days, there just isn't the time or energy left to quilt; but when it's the right day, you'll know it. Be sure to tell us your progress and keep trying!

citygirlsews

There is a time for everything....A full time job, a long commute, grandkids to care for.....sounds like you are a busy gal. You might like to try something like a "sew-in" once a week at your local quilt shop. Most places have them in the evening and during the day time also. You bring your own project to work on, you will make new friends and there is a teacher there to help you if you need it. Your new friends will help inspire you. It is also a few hours for one night that you are away from family and the routine. If you don't have a shop near by that offers this, you might consider setting up a sewing time once a week or once a month with a friend. Sewing with a friend really helps. You can take turns being at each others house. Kits are wonderful but some times they do not inspire us because they are pre-planned. Look in quilt books and pick out some thing small that is exciting to you....maybe a table runner for Christmas time....for your own tabe of course...something that will not pressure you. I was in the same boat you are once and now I am doing quilts on my own. Love to sew and quilt! Good luck Quilt Sister! Love you!

bglock1

I was almost paralyzed with the same fears with my first quilt. Just jump in! Remember you really can replace any material if you do make mistakes. Happy quilting!