Hi! My name is Buffy and I joined this list so that I could learn from others how to make quilts. I have always wanted to make quilts, but accidently entered a contest at church so now I really need to get busy.
Fortunately the quilt can be small, even a hand bag or apron. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start?
Thanks for letting me join!
Buffy

Welcome to the board and to quilting.
Warning - you will become addicted! ;)

To start you will need the right tools. Rotary cutter, cutting mat, template/ruler.
Fabric and a Sewing machine & accessories.

A simple 9 patch pattern would be easy, or just a strip quilt. You can go up on the topics and under "Search" look for 9 patch, 4 patch or other quilt block names and get links, pics, and pattern ideas.

And I know there will be lots of help here for you.

Good luck. and most importantly Have Fun.

A baby quilt is a nice way to start. Nice size to handle and still get the feel of a pattern.

Hello, and welcome from Michigan!

Welcome from New Hampshire!

HI, welcome, glad you joined us.

Welcome..from Arizona..I teach beginner classes..start easy and small..I use a 9-patch or a Log Cabin shading technique to get my students to start with !! You'll love it here !!

Hello and welcome from Kansas

Hi from Ohio!

Hello and welcome from the UK! You'll find lots of help and support here.

Buffy, I began quilting 3 years ago & the best advice I can give you is to go to local quilt shops in your area & find one that has beginner project classes & sign up. If there isn't a class available within your time constraints, talk with the shop owner/staff about your project. You will get help & support.

Howdy and Welcome from Kentucky!! :D

Hi Buffy! Welcome from Indiana!

Welcome from Michigan.:)

Welcome! You'll love it here. I'm still pretty new here but this is a great group of people.

If there's a JoAnn Fabric near you, they've got cutting tools marked 50% off through Monday. A rotary cutter and self-healing mat will be your biggest initial expense (assuming you already have a machine, of course) so now's a good time to buy. Make sure you get one of the clear rulers to go with it (Omnigrip or similar)--it really does make a big difference in the accuracy of your cuts. Accurate cutting makes the sewing and assembly sooooo much easier!

My first quilt was a basic 4-patch checkerboard pattern, and it was easy peasy. You can definitely pick it up quickly, but be careful, it is addictive!

Hi Buffy, welcome to the board from CT, :-D

Welcome to both worlds, us and quilting.
hello from te woods of New Hampshire

If there is a quilt shop near you, see if they have a beginning class. Or get a mentor at your church. Or go online to "youtube" and search for beginning quilting videos.
Good luck and welcome from Kansas, a quilters mecca.
Tommie

Welcome from the beautiful Ozark Mountains in north central Arkansas. Be careful, you are in for the "ride of your life!"

Welcome from Kansas

Welcome from IL.

Hello Buffy, welcome from Oklahoma!

Welcome from Colorado. You will find a lot of free, easy patterns on the web. Don't be shy about asking questions.

welcome from middle of mitten on the sunrise side of Michigan be careful the quilting bug will bite :wink: 8-)

Welcome. Good luck

Hi Buffy, welcome from northern California! You will enjoy it here.

Welcome from Ireland

Hi and welcome from NY. Lots of great ideas already posted.
A LQS is the best place to start with a small project. They will offer lots of ideas, safety tips and help guide you with the tools you will need to start your first quilt. That is if you don't have a quilter friend to help you. Then there are tons of information online. Good Luck :-)

Hi and welcome from Arizona.

Hello from Michigan! Make sure you post a picture of your completed project. :thumbup:

Hiya and welcome from steamy South Carolina. Start small. And I wouldn't be spending a lot on fabric initially.

welcome from se TX

Welcome for CT

Welcome from New York... You have found the right place for help, suggestions and over all inspiration.

Hi and welcome from central Minnesota. As others have said a 4 patch or 9 patch are very easy to do.

Hi Buffy, welcome from San Francisco Bay, check the photos on the quilting board, there's a lot of inspiration there! you'll be hooked in no time, Happy Quilting!

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D

Welcome to the board from Southern California!

Welcome to QB, from western Nevada!

Welcome from West Tx. Here's a link for tutorials.
http://tutorials.missouriquiltco.com/