Johnson City has a really popular quilt store, can't remember the name and always tell myself I'm going one of these days. I'm sure they will help with anything you need. Walmart still carries some of the basics a little cheaper than others, mats and sometimes cutters. If you sew already you probably have seam rippers and thread, needles and such. Start with a really simple pattern. Good luck!

Hi from Ms.

You can get a basicSinger at Target for about $100. Also check out the Goodwill for fabric - or clothes where you can cut the fabric to use. All you really need is an imagincation you can get almost eveything else free on the internet, including patterns - check out all the great tutorials on here - CraftyBear is Great person to help you figureout where to go - she has a gazillion links posted on here!!

Keep your dream..the basics: ruler, scissors, needles & thread, pins and fabric. You can use cereal boxes to make templates. Start with a simple design, cut and sew by hand. Sometimes you can use material from discarded or out of size clothing like shirts and skirts. Potholders from old blue jeans are popular at our church bazaar.

Let family and friends know you are dreaming about getting a machine. Someone may have one hiding at home and they want to find it a good home.

Until you have a list of books you want for your library, check out the public library or the bookmobile. There are great sites on the internet that can be a source of free patterns and tutorials on how to do just about everything.

God bless and good luck.

Hi and welcome from Arizona.

Greetings from Bristol, TN. If you can own only 1 book, I recommend BH&G Complete Guide to Quilting. The techniques are explained well, the pictures are great and almost any question you have is answered in this book. Perhaps Amazon has one at a reduced rate. The Sycamore Shoals Quilters are having a quilt show this weekend, 9-5 Thur-Sat, 1-4 Sunday/. Try to get there as the quilts are wonderful and they have a great guild also. Buy only basic supplies at first: rotary cutter, mat, 1 good ruler, a marking device of some sort, pins. You can go to thrift shops and goodwill to buy fabrics, let your church know, etc. Before you know it, fabric will be multiplying and dividing on your doorstep.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!

Welcome from Iowa. Check out a sewing machine dealer in your area for a good used machine.

Try your local library for books on quilting to help save money for supplies.

Hi Becky, welcome from NE Ohio.