Originally Posted by PatriceJ
(somebody pass the smelling salts and let the poor kid know that a size 11 or 14 standard needle or quilting needle will work just fine in most cases. :
and i CAN'T believe nobody else recommended the SINGLE most important item in the kit: CHOCOLATE!!!!! bags of it; boxes of it; buckets of it. to console yourself when a seam won't go right; and to celebrate when it does. :P :P :P
hee hee how can we possibly forget the chocolate!! I also find a nice glass of wine helps through things too!!! LOL
As to some fabric suggestions... depending on your budget, there are many beautiful online sources to buying fabrics. Here in Newfoundland, I find if I go to the real quilt stores around here, I could be spending anywhere from $9-18 a metre (just a few inches more than a yard). Lately I have been introduced by many people here about some amazing online fabric stores that charge much much less and the quality is amazing!! I now only spend $3-6 a yard for my fabrics and they are the big names like Debbie Mumm, Thimbleberries, Red Rooster, Kona, etc!!!!
Quilting can be a bit pricey when you are just starting up so my advice is to stash a little mad money away each pay cheque and then treat yourself to a new tool or piece of fabric to get you started. There are also alot of beautiful FREE patterns online to choose from to get you started.
Check out the Links and Resources page here in this forum. You will find some great projects there to get you started. The Block of the Month (BOM) page is also great as every 2 weeks you will be given a new block pattern online to make.. It is a good way to learn how to put blocks together and in the end make yourself a really nice sampler quilt.
You will find alot of great tips and suggestions from all these talented guys and gals on this forum. They are full of inspiration and ideas to get you quilting!!! The levels of quilting in this group are from your basic/beginner quilter to the advanced and everyone in between!!! Not to mention a VERY VERY supportive crew!!!
ooh and if you are not a chocolate person (gasp....!!!) then I also find if my supply of chocolate has vanished, I like munching on gummy candy!!! :)
We look forward to hearing how you make out in your new quilting adventures!!!! Don't forget to post photos of your work here.. we Looooooooooove show and tell!! :)
Cheers!!