Newbie from Georgia
 

I've been sewing since I was a little girl (a million years ago), but am very new to quilting. My first attempt was a rag quilt for my granddaughter. Any suggestions for what is needed? I have a sewing machine and basic notions and accessories, but are there any special items needed? Have collected some patterns and a bit of fabric, but am lacking in the confidence needed to actually get going .....

Welcome from Vermont!

Greetings from Mableton

Welcome from South Louisiana. The first pattern I made when I started was "Just Can't Cut It". https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43136108902579589/

I didn't buy the pattern, because I have been sewing for a million years too. I looked at the block and saw that if I made it a finished 12" block, one side would be 2 6" finished sized squares (cut each square 6.5"), unfinished sewn together, 6.5" x 12 1/2". And the other side was 3 pieces that had to finish at 6x12. I cut them at 6.5" x 4.5" each and sewed them together. The neat thing was that I only had to have 5 colors. I could do that. It turned out nice and I got a lot of confidence with that project.

JUST DO IT! It's only a quilt. The first may not turn out the way you really wanted, but it get's better. I've been quilting for many years and still have things not turn out the way I wanted. You will gather more things as you go along. Welcome for Newnan. Good luck with quilting. It can be addictive!

Thank you!!!

Howdy from Texas. You are going to love quilting & also this quilting board. It's full of information & friendly people. Here are a few essentials you will need:
Self healing cutting mat
Rotary Cutter
Acrylic ruler
1/4" foot for your sewing machine (this is not necessary but very helpful)
Walking foot for your sewing machine (for when you actually begin to sew all 3 layers together....quilting the quilt)

For me, if all I had were those items I could make a quilt. Actually, the mat, the cutter & the ruler are the only true essentials in my mind.

Patterns & tutorials are free all over the internet. Quilter's Cache ... http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore.html is a great place for free block patters in all sizes.

I would say start with a simple block & make something small. Maybe a pot holder or a table runner to get the hang of matching seams & piecing.

You can do this & on top of all that...it's great fun!

Welcome from SW Missouri. With a sewing machine, thread, ruler, cutting mat and rotary cutter you will be good to go!!! Hop in and have fun. We all learn by doing and what could be more fun then putting colored fabrics together any way we want to!

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*** Hi! Y'all from the upstate of South Carolina.
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