Caroline94535

I began quilting as a teen in the early 1970s.

There were no "quilting shops," no Internet, only a small selection of old books, and just a few magazines. Where I lived they were few and far between. (Yes, it was hard walking five miles to school, uphill, barefoot, and in the snow! LOL)

I taught myself to piece and quilt by reading news and women's magazine articles, a couple old books, and "studying" my great-grandmother's quilts. I never saw a Quilt Shop until I was in my early 30s.

Several older women in the community helped me learn, also.

I learned to...

- Always wash and iron the fabric I was using, which was mostly old cotton clothes. If new fabric was used, it must also be washed and ironed before cutting.

- Sharpen several #2 pencils before beginning to trace around the cardboard (cereal box) templates. I'd wrap clear tape around the edge of the cardboard to help the templates hold their shape longer.

- Never use the "fabric scissors" to cut the cardboard templates.

- Never try to cut out all the pieces and start sewing blocks on the same day.

- Arrange the "patches" into groups according to how you will piece them together, and have your pins, threaded needles, thimble, and scissors, all in one place.

- Wash your hands before beginning the piece work.

- Always press your patches before sewing over seams that crossed.

- Measure carefully, and press, press, press.