Tropical

Don't give up! You can make a very nice quilt using squares and strips. Start out with a fabric you love and then add one or two more. I like using at least three colors or two patterns and one plain color. I lay them out and decide which ones I want next to each other. I decide how big I want my squares and I cut them out. Large squares makes it go fast. I then make strips half as wide as my squares. I sew a vertical row of squares alternating color and pattern. I then add a strip to that row. You can do it horizontally if you prefer. I keep going until I have almost the size quilt top I want. I then add a border that is a quarter the size of the original strips and then a border that is half the size of the original strip. That makes the math easy. When you add the borders, just square them up with each other and save the mitered corner method for a future quilt top. The whole process is easy and looks good when you are done. You could even just start with a table topper size to get the hang of things. Once you make one of these you will quickly move on to the other types of blocks that are still considered easy like the 4 square and the nine patch, etc. I hope I have made this easy to understand. If you chose this method, I'm sure you will be happy with the results and you will learn many of the basic steps to quilting.

Good Luck with whatever method you try. Please don't let giving up be an option. There are many books in JoAnns that teach basic quilting that are inexpensive. My first was Super Simple Quilts by Alex Anderson & Liz Aneloski. I read it over many times before I started. There are three patterns with three size options for each with supply lists. I paid $9.95 for it. Try http://www.youtube.com also. :)

LeslieTQD

I agree - log cabin is a good pattern to learn with. Another beginners pattern you might look for is a double rail fence.

julia58

Where do you live? I'm sure someone will give you all the help you want and need. If you are anywhere close to me, I would love to help. Even on this board, I would be glad to give you one on one help. The main thing is to enjoy your hobby. Which I do!!!!

GrammaO

Oh, don't stop! It's like jumping in a swimming pool-yes the water's cold at first but once your in you don't want out. Even if your first effort is a little wonky, I know you will be hooked. One of the first ones I did was out of the magazine Quick Quilts. Many of the patterns in there are beginner rated. Another idea is buy a set of charm packs (pre-cut 5" squares) and just sew them together. Buy one cute fabric with a motif, let's say frogs. Then buy a blue and a green. Cut your solids into 2 1/2" strips and make blue and green 4 patches. Then set them with your motif fabric. Super simple idea and cute results. The disappearing 9 patch sounds complecated but it is really simple and the results are awesome. There is a great tutorial here on the board. You can do it!!!!

cowpie2

Don't get discouraged and you don't need a pattern. Cut a bunch of 5" squares and sew them together, add a border and you have a quilt.

Quilts don't have to follow a pattern or be fancy. In fact my husband and boys prefer just plain squares the more mismatched the better. It's a good way to start to to practice even seems and matching corners.

sharoney

Yes! Highly recommend this site!

cctx.

Here is a very simple and basic block to make.
Beginner friendly and easy to make.
Pick your own colors and background fabric and you're good to go.
Here goes the link:

http://www.quilterscache.com/N/NinePatchBlock.html

Click on the above link and read the whole page and go on to the second page. Click on the links off the second page and it has step by step photos on how to make the block.

I hope this helps!

JulieR

The problem is, some of the most talented quilters in the world are members of this forum and it's very easy to be intimidated by that. I also sometimes feel like the bar has been raised so high I can never achieve it!

But out there in the "real world" most people don't know a nine patch from an art quilt. They don't dwell on perfect seams and points. All they know about is the love and time you took to think of them and make their quilts.

Don't let the "honors class" scare you. I'm in the beginner/intermediate stage myself, so I ooh and aah at the pretty pretty, and then sit down and sew my squares together. My squares are better for my having been here and yours will be, too. :)

G'ma Kay

Go to allpeoplequilt.com and click on simple patterns. Lots of color choice ideas and all simple one patch.

cctx.

With practice (lots of practice too) and determination, the fear will dissolve.
I was intimidated in the beginning.....the horrors of not getting the perfect 1/4' seam, but with practice and repetition, seams will improve.
You need to practice and experiment until you are satisfied with YOUR own work.

I sometimes make my seams a little larger than 1/4" for my purposes and if it's something that I am keeping or making for someone in the family.
If the blocks are for a swap, then meticulously the process is engaged with the cutting, pressing and sewing.