cbpirate

these are all good answers. be sure to check in the eugene and albany stores. there are several more in the area. if you can travel to drain, the lady in the shop there does a very good job teaching and if you talk to her, she may set something up for you.. it is just a little shop, but she knows a lot and has some good ideas about what to do. i took a class from her and traveled all the way from coos bay to take it. it was worth the time..... best advice, try to find something simple to do and just do it. start small, project size, not pieces, and you will do fine. good luck

AshleyR

If you're wanting to learn to hand-quilt, I recommend getting "cheater" panels. Find a few that are about 14"x14". Cut backing fabric and batting a little bit larger (16"x16"-ish) and sandwich them in a hand hoop. You don't need to baste it because the hoop will hold it all together. Get a variety of quilting needles and a spool of hand quilting thread (make sure it is for hand quilting!!) and a thimble that fits on your right middle finger.
Learn to quilt along the lines of the print on the pattern. My first panel was a dresden plate, but I've seen other traditional patterns, but also horses, wolves, Santa, Barbie, etc, etc. Once you get the hang of it, get a yard of Holiday print and follow the lines or learn how to use painter's tape to guide you to do straight lines. Start in the middle and quilt your way to the edges! Keep your stitches the same length-don't try to squeeze 10 stitches in an inch. Don't try to load more than 3-4 stitches on your needle.
When you finish your Holiday quilt, learn how to bind it and put a rod pocket and a label that proudly tells the world that you put your heart and soul into this work of art! Give it as a gift or proudly display it yourself!

Oh and those adorable cheater panels? Depending on how many you have... make throw pillows with them or if you have enough, learn how to use the technique to combine them (like "Quilt in a day") and make a unique lap quilt or throw!

You can find written tutorials or videos showing you how to do it all online for free, if you know what you are searching for! All these supplies can be found at Walmart (if they carry fabrics) or any craft store.
If you want to machine quilt, you can do the same (faster!). This is a hobby that is addictive and can be very expensive (or pretty cheap, if you want it to be!) so take things slow and try not to get frustrated.

jeaninmaine

Welcome from Maine. I learned by taking a few classes, we did an Eleanor Burns Trip Around the World quilt top. Watch some of the Eleanor Burns videos (link below). Also go on YouTube and watch the Jenny Doan videos, plus there are a ton of other videos on there that will teach you all the steps.
http://quiltinaday.com/theater/library.html

KyKaren1949

Youtube has some excellent video tutorials to help you learn how to do things also. You are going to love this!!

sandy l

Welcome to the Quilt Board. You're going to get a lot of help and friendship here. Enjoy

rj.neihart

There are many videos you can watch on youtube.com I've picked up a few new pointers, as well as watched when the quilting I'm wanting to do by hand needs a little boost. I've also watched a few videos on binding quilts....tremendous amount of information out there!

patchsamkim

I am a self taught quilter, so it can be done, but it is easier to have someone show you. You can read books, and watch videos, but there is nothing like sitting by someone else watching, being able to ask questions. I would suggest a class, or have a friend help you learn. I hope you learn to love quilting as much as I do!

JNCT14

In addition to all the suggestions here, invest in some good basic tools - a 45mm rotary cutter, some really good sharp small scissors, a cutting ruler, a cutting mat, marking pens, sharp pins and good thread. My biggest problem when I first started was not how to sew, but how to cut properly.

ppatti1051

Farmgirl22, I am going to tell you how it happened to me. I was in the 4th grade when my ailing mother decided she had to start teaching me what she knew. A guilt was the very first thing she taught me to sew. She said I had to practice straight small seams, and learn how to get the size right for the bed. Mind you this was before the rotary cutters and rulers, and spare time on your hands. She said it was a woman's job to keep her babies warm. So, she measured a yard of cloth from the tip of her nose to the tip of her middle finger with the arm outstretched to the side, then she would snip a cut 2 or 3 or 4 inches apart for whatever she wanted. She started me out with a strip quilt. It is just long strips of fabric, different colors and designs sewn at 1/4" seam allowance. Some strips are wider than others. Just keep adding and laying on your bed to get the right width and length you want. No mess, no bother. It is relaxing and so gratifying to see your completed quilt, AND EASY. you can do this while you learn the rest from books and classs.

Sierra

Taking a beginning class will save you lots of time. You'll learn how to chain stitch, what foot to use when, what threads you can count on... and all sort of things. Also, consider buying an overall quilting book. I've been quilting for more than 10years but still go back to "Quilting for Dummies" (yep, one of those big yellow books) because, if I haven't done something for a while I can be very unsure of how to do it.