Prism99

A good place to start is with the library. They usually have a variety of books on beginning quilting, often with step-by-step photos.

Most quilters today use a machine, but many also hand piece. It is not bad to use a machine -- just a different method which makes piecing much faster.

These days, for quilting, you really want to have a cutting mat, rotary cutter, and a 6"x18" acrylic ruler to cut pieces. You should ask for these for your birthday too. JoAnn's is a good place to look for beginner sets of these tools.

What price range are you looking at for a sewing machine? If under $200, then I would suggest this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Janome-Jem-Gol...dp/B000FLH2VE/
Janome is a good brand and this machine is lightweight and easy to take to classes.

In terms of learning how to use the machine, it would be really helpful if you could find a family member or friend who knows how to sew to spend a couple of hours with you. If no one in your family knows how to use a sewing machine, ask around to your friends. Someone's mother probably knows how to sew.

Edit: Well, I just read the posts on the second page! Even if you can't check out books from the library, you can look through books to your heart's content while sitting in the library. Those books will give you a good idea of the steps required to make a quilt. Many will also show how to use a ruler, rotary cutter and mat to cut quilt pieces. Some will also explain how to make quilts by hand, cutting out pieces using homemade templates and hand sewing the pieces together.

If your family buys you a sewing machine at a dealership rather than off-the-shelf (say, at Walmart), they can negotiate for lessons. Dealerships routinely offer lessons with new machines, but may be persuaded to offer lessons even with a used or vintage machine (which are often a better deal).

BellaBoo

Have a sincere talk with your mom about your library fees and your wish to start sewing. Remember our foremothers quilted with just needle, thread and fabric scraps and made beautiful quilts so you can too.

CraftyPerson

Also, another thing I was gonna ask about is fabric. From what I have gathered, fabric is expensive. Do you guys have any tips or tricks on buying fabrics so I don't have to spend $50+ when I shop for fabric.

saperry

Crafty, so good to see you interested in sewing/quilting. Check with your friends and family. Ask if they have any old clothing, sheets they may want to get rid of. A lot of people quilt with only cotton fabrics, but you can use a poly/cotton blend like sheets. Also old jeans make a great raggy quilt. Thrift stores have good deals if you keep your eyes open. Sheets, both poly/cotton blends and flannel, old jeans, and even dust ruffles for beds. Often the dust ruffles have a polyester foundation but the ruffle part is cotton. There is a lot of fabric in those dust ruffles, especially if they are heavily ruffled or pleated. Mens shirts and house coats/dresses are great finds too. Especially if you can find large sizes. Use coupons and JoAnns and Hancock Fabrics. Hancock Fabrics often has their quilting cottons at half price but that is still $3 to $4 per yard. You can splurge there once in while. Just try to make sure that the fabric in the clothing is good quality. Thick. not so thin you can nearly read a newspaper through it! (ha ha) I'm sure you will find all kinds of fabric if you just keep your eyes open and ask around. Check with your friends. One may have a mom that would be willing to sit with you for a couple of hours each week for a while and show you some basics with a sewing machine or even with hand sewing. Thrift stores are also great for finding sewing machines. Must lest expensive than a new one. But, you do need to be careful and make sure that it works well. Don't be afraid to ask to try it out. Take some thread and fabric with you. Use a light or medium color fabric and use two different color threads so you can see how the stitches are. Check for video's online to show you how to check the stitches. A good key word to search is "checking sewing machine tension." Also just know that everyone on this board will be happy to answer any questions we can and to help you begin your journey. I know you'll enjoy seeing all the beautiful things you will be able to make.

cjsews

Crafty, to add to the abundance of help, you can get a cheap machine at Walmart. It is a good place to start with a machine. You may outgrow it but you may also take slow baby steps into quilting. All you really need is a machine that does basic straight stitches, A zig zag is always a plus. Try to find a 1/4 inch foot. If there is not one with the machine, you can use masking tape or post it notes to mark your machine. While visiting a fabric store, ask around, clerks and shoppers for info on where classes or meetings may be. If you find a guild in your area, they usually have yearly dues but give you a meeting or two grace where you can go just to try it out. Most sewers are willing to help with free advice. It is out there, you just have to look and ask. Of course this is the best place to be but hands on help may be what you need to really get started.

Good luck and enjoy the craft.

CraftyPerson

Hey everyone. Sorry if I have a lot of questions but here are a few more.
1. Do using precut squares of fabric make beginner quilting a lot easier?
2. Is ironing necessary for making quilts?
3. Are precut squares more or less expensive than buying yards of fabric?

Xtgirl

I would recommend the craftsy class called quilting quickly at www.craftsy.com..it's visual and perfect for a beginner and you can watch it whenever you want and over and over. That's how I started. I bought it for 14.99 on sale. If you don't have a credit card, you could pay your relative and they could give it to you as a gift. Then I took a rotary cutting class to learn how to cut fabrics at a local quilt shop. You could cut up unused shirts or flannel into blocks, jeans etc to start or look for donated items online or at goodwill stores. Precut fabric would be better if you don't know how to cut fabric yet, but it'll be more expensive.

hopetoquilt

I have made lots of quilts using old men's dress shirts and flannel shirts.

bigsister63

I would suggest taking a beginning quilting class. In it you should learn basic on how to peice etc. It will certainly save you a lot of time looking on line and making mistakes and ripping out. I think it is easier to learn form others then learn from my mistakes. This board is a GREAT source of knowledge so just ask!!!!!

Prism99

1. Yes, especially if you do not have a mat, rotary cutter, and ruler for cutting fabric.
2. No. Finger pressing of seams is enough.
3. Precut squares are usually more expensive than buying yardage because of the extra work involved. However, you can sometimes find really good deals on precut squares.