Got my first class under the belt yesterday. I was the only man there but it does not challenge my manhood even though some of my male friends have lifted an eyebrow, LOL. The teacher seems like a great person and the other students were cool too.There is 6 students in all. The teach said if we ever run into a problem we are free to contact her and she will help us out. The class meets for 8 weeks once a week for 2 hours.

We went over the color wheel and how to organize colors and the basic tools we need. It was a 2 hour class and it went by fast.

I have learned a lot from this board too for not knowing one end of a tread from the other.

Thanks and blessings to y'all.

Congratulations. There is no turning back now (laughter). You will enjoy this journey and we will be glad to travel it with you. Welcome from Iowa.

Yup, no turning back!! hahaha
My classes sound like yours and believe me it was worth every minute I was there!
You'll learn a lot!
Have fun :D

Oh my - get ready for a wonderful ride :-)

Good for you for going to the class even though your man friends turned up their eyebrows at you! :thumbup:

Quilting is a wonderful hobby that is very rewarding. We look forward to see the things you create! :D

Sounds like fun, and with 6 students you will have time to get all your questions answered.

Loved my beginner's class too! There is so much to learn and this is truly an excellent way to get started. Enjoy the ride!

Have a great time. You will learn so much, not just from the teacher but from mistakes everyone in the group makes.

Loved my biginning classes. I learned so much quicker than I would on my own!!!!!!!! Have fun.

Hi from Western MA and welcome to the wide wonderful world of quilting :D

I teach beginner quilt classes and have had a few men in them. I find they are usually more precise when cutting and then sewing 1/4 seams. It seems to me that a lot of them have been engineers or construction workers. One time I had a husband/wife and she ended up hating quilting and he loved it. He bought her a new machine, so it solved machine issues she was having in class and she enjoys it now also.

I see quilting as very similar with wood working. You have to make exact measurements, miter corners and be creative. The only difference is the materials you use and quilting is better because you only really need one machine to do all the beautiful work quilters can do. With wood working the tools never end before you exhaust the space you need for storing them. I like quilting much more.

Hey Dirtypaw!!

I am your neighbor in Leavenworth...lets get together one afternoon. I'm easy to find, just a block from Fort Leavenworth!!

jodi

WOW how nice that we are so close. I would love to meet you and have some coffee. I attend classes at Quilters Quarters by the way. I am really enjoying learning about this fun craft.

check your private messages for my phone number!!

How cool.
There was a man in my beginner quilting class.
He seemed to be doing an outstanding job, but
never came back after his second class. I
have always hoped it wasn't because he
felt uncomfortable.

Good luck to you,

Lori

oh boy another one is born!!! congratulations and have fun.
simple quilter

Welcome to the board. There are plenty of male quilters, have you seen Ricky Tims? Join The Quilt Show, it is so inspiring and great entertainment. Don't forget to let us see your finished project. A word of warning though, this site is addictive.

I see quilting as very similar with wood working. You have to make exact measurements, miter corners and be creative. The only difference is the materials you use and quilting is better because you only really need one machine to do all the beautiful work quilters can do. With wood working the tools never end before you exhaust the space you need for storing them. I like quilting much more.[/quote]

You are right about the first sentence, my son makes furniture. However, ask any quilter how much space they require and what tools they need. My son once commented, "Mum we didn't we take up crafts that require minimum space and less tools?"

Welcome to the quilting world...Enjoy it. Quilters are great people.
Mikki

P.s. I wont be attending this yr, but there is a great longarm quilters show in Overland Park they have a great showcase of quilts and have tons of vendors for the quilters to enjoy, you should check it out. Its a great place for inspiration. Let me know if ya want more info.

I hope you enjoy your class. I loved my teachers in the beginners class I took 3 1/2 years ago. Quilting is a great hobby/obsession. I look forward you to posting some pics of your completed blocks and the final quilt.

Marie M.

Glad you had fun!

Hello from Texas. I get so excited when a man wants to learn to quilt. Most men have an excellent eye for color and designs. Just enjoy what you are doing!

My first beginners class was worth every penny I paid for it. I learned so much from it & all of it has stuck with me. I tell anyone that is just starting to quilt to take a beginners class. I learned short cuts & color cordination & construction & ripping! LOL can't forget that! But a beginners class is the way to go

Hey!
Well done! From one male quilter to another, to tell you the truth being male has kept me from seeking out a beginners class.
Good luck with your quilting!
David
Ps. before I became disable I had a beautiful woodworking shop in the second garage, man it miss it!

Glad you are enjoying the ride.

Jeff

My uncle was the one male quilter, his work was beautiful!good luck!!!

I had a coworker tell me quilting was for old ladies,and i'm only 30. i told him no, young people quilt, men quilt, I just saw an article on a truck driver the other day that quilts. I guess he started by helping his wife and got hooked. I also saw a young male skateboarder. I think most people don't realize how many different types of people quilt. Good for you for defying those stereotypes.

Cheers for you. You will have a great time at the classes. Don't be afraid to speak up as your ideas are important, too. Can't wait to see what you learned.

Welcome to the world of quilting! Warning: addicting!

Now you are hooked!!!! Keep up the classes and have a wonderful time. Its a great art, and wonderful stress buster

Well....... I had the same thought when I started quilting on my old-but-not-vintage Singer. Now there's the Bernina 440QE that I piece with (and used to quilt with), the longarm that I quilt with, the featherweight that I take to classes, the Singer that I used to take to classes before I got the featherweight, the Singer 15 that I picked up at a garage sale before I even knew I wanted a vintage machine, the treadle that I bought and fixed up to learn to treadle on, the 3 treadles and numerous other sewing machines sitting in the garage because I couldn't pass them by... Yes, you're right, you only need one machine because you really CAN do everything with it... but will you?

And that's just talking sewing machines. Then there are rulers, and all the other gadgets... and the fabric - there's a storage problem in itself.

Welcome to the hobby, and try to hold the line on that one sewing machine.

congratulations Rick,
You are not alone in being a "male quilter"... there are several men on this board that are master quilters.

Have fun with your class.

Watch out! You'll be adding on a room to house all of your new 'tools'. You'll understand soon enough! As with woodworking, buy the best you can afford. I always tell my beginner classes their spouses would not buy a sorry golf club or drill, etc. You get what you pay for. Be sure to label everything before you go to class. Those rotary cutters, etc. can look alike.
Enjoy this new chapter in your life. You will find that quilters are very generous with advice. Any questions? Just ask...an answer will come your way. Good luck.

Helen Marie

keep it up!

You go guy! There are many men who quilt. Any of your friends give y ou a hard time - remind them of Roosevelt Greer, the big old football player who got into needle point.
I teach a beginners class and have a man in the class right now. For a minute there I thought you might be my student when you said the class meets for 2 hours a session for 8 weeks, but then I saw you were in Kansas.

I am trying my darndest to make sure the guy feels welcome and comfortable. I'd love to take a woodworking shop.
Tools is tools

So smart to take classes! Don't be afraid to ask ?s because if you have a concern, chances are someone else has the same issue but too afaid to ask.

Hopefully you will be making a sampler to learn different tecniques.

Isn't playing w/fab color fun?

Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting.

It is so nice to see you men getting out here! We congratulate you for recognizing quilting as a hobby for everyone, not just women. Enjoy your classes and then stick with us out here...we love to help!

Our guild has men in it. In fact, one of them is now our president, and is doing a great job. It takes a special man to not be intimidated by his buddies, if he wants to integrate into a women's group. We welcome all quilters, and encourage newbies and professionals alike. We have many prize winners in our group, and we get along just fine. :-D Please continue with your quilting classes. Who knows? You may one day be teaching one! Have fun!