I have three words for you: Join a guild.

You will meet people who can offer you all sorts of inspiration, assistance, support and resources.

BTW - if you don't feel 'right' in one guild, join a different one. I belong to 4 right now and they all offer me different experiences.

Welcome and good luck! Keep posting, we'll be your 'online guild'!

It seems everybody has all the bases covered(as usual LOL)so I'll just say Welcome from MA!
David

You can go to youtube and they have several tutorials, I love them and go there offten. THis is the place to go for help, and support. Soon you will be addited

Welcome to the board and to the wonderful
world of quilting. Quilters are some of the
best people out there and making quilts is
one of the most rewarding hobbies there is.

I agree that you can find a lot of free help. But,
if your like me, you might enjoy someone to
share quilting with. There might be people in
your area that are on this board. Would you be
willing to come out of hiding and share your area
with the rest of us. I know if you are in my area,
I would be happy to help you. I have taught many
quilt classes (for a fee) and have taught many
people how to make quilts just because they wanted
to learn (for free). I'll bet there are others that
would help you too. I didn't learn from a class, but
from a friend who knew how to make quilts. She got
me started with the basics and I went from there.
Now, 20 plus years ago, owning an on-line quilt shop,
a number of quilt patterns in publication, and many
quilts made in all genres later, it is still my passion.

If you don't feel comfortable coming out of hiding,
if you are in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of TX, feel free
to PM me.
Have a Great Day!
Marcia

There is usually help available in the Library, and perhaps you have a "free" local paper like The Shopper or Thrifty Nickle. You might place a small ad for anyone to help a new quilter. But stand back....cause most quilters love to get someone else hooked and you will be amazed at how much help is offered.
The guilds I belong to welcome newbies. You might also ask at local fabric stores about groups in your area.

I got a book called Quilting 101. I got it on Amazon. It will explain everything. The autor even assumes you don,t know how to use a sewing machine so that is in it too. I am totally self taught and I get better wuth every project. And I have learned A LOT on this board. But that book with give you the basics and there are several projects in the book for beginners.

[quote=Maia B]Look in the classifieds for a recent offering of Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! It was one of my early instructional books and I still use it. Might be free, will be a bargain, for sure.

This was my first book too! I learned to quilt from this book and others which followed. I never went to a class, just read everything I could and tried and tried and tried again.

Keep at it,
you will be so happy when you get the first one behind you.
Roxanne

All of the replys you have received are correct but another I would do at once. Join a quilt guild in your area. Quilters are always willing to help oneanother. You will learn alot.

Welcome, waving from central, Indiana, USA

Babes, you've come to the right place! You will absorb ALL sorts of info from this board. I learn something just about everyday. These people KNOW what they are doing and are so WILLING to help you. Even more, they are so encouraging!

My grandma used to say two things. 1. A blind man would be pleased to see it. 2.) the Bible says, "As you sow so shall you reap. I say, 'As you sew so shall you rip."

Don't be discouraged. Start simple. Watch Youtube tutorials and Tutorials on this board. Book mark what you want to go back to. People here are very generous with their time to help new ones. You will get it. sometimes I draw a pattern out in a notebook. So I can see how the pieces fit.

If you are either new Dallas, Tx or Stuart, Fla, pm me and I will help you get started...for gosh sake, don't give up...the internet is a endless source of info...If I am not quilting, buying fabric I am on the internet checking out quilting....spend little time cooking, cleaning and sleeping...in that order...you will so enjoy your first quilt...memepeggy

I agree. Always think the best way to learn is by your mistakes

there are some great quilting videos on youtube. give them a try and don't give up! We were all there ( some of us still are!) once.

I love the Quilt, Quilt, Quilt books (1 and 2). They are set up in lessons (I think originally set up for a teacher to follow in doing classes). The lessons walk you through basic techniques. Really easy to follow and great pictures. This poster is right on all points. You can learn a lot by viewing videos, tutorials, etc. And ask anything you care to ask. I have asked a lot of really weird questions and have always been helped by someone. There is always someone who comes up with the answers for you. Welcome to this board. good luck.

I have found the free online tutorials very helpful, and best of all if you save them to your favorites you can go over and over them. Try it. Welcome

You must check out the tutes on Missouri Quilt Co.I am new too and learn all kinds of tricks from them.Good Luck!

Just don't give up! The advice about on line info is great there are any number of tutorials and on line free classes out there and most are very helpful-the other idea about a buddy is good as well-you might try finding a group or starting one with someone who has some experience, not just to teach but just to be available for help and suggestions-I'm in a small group that meets once a week at one of our churches and some are experienced and some beginners but it's great-no one wants to actually teach but they are all willing to help - again, don't give up-you'll find we are our own worst critics! :lol:

Her hello post says she lives in Hudsonville Michigan...so if someone from that area pm's her if they can help her out i'm sure she would appreciate it. Having someone show me how to press opposite to "make the seams fit" did not make sense until someone showed me in person.

Welcome to the Quilting Board. I have learned a lot from this board. As everyone has said, there are many tutorials on the internet like U tube. Also go to your local library and get some books that has helped me a lot. Our local quilt shop will also help you and show you how to do things and they don't charge for helping you. So maybe you can get some pointers from the quilt shop. Have fun quilting it all comes together.

welcome !! and ditto on all of the above

don't get upset with yourself. i haven't been quilting only for 5 months. I've been reading a lot of books and reading this board. I've riped out alot of seams. these girls are very helpful and always ask question. keep up the good work and smile

Welcome to the Board, practice, practice, practice and don't give up. Ask questions on the board and you will get lots of different answers-take what you think will work and go for it. Remember too, it's OK to make mistakes if you learn from them. Everything will turn out better than you expected.

Don't get discouraged - there are sites to help, plus all of us. I use this website a lot:

http://www.kayewoodtv.com/ktv/

You can try this one too:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/

If you're in the Chicagoland area, I'd be happy to help, we can learn more together.

Babes, I am brand new to this board and haven't even gone to the introduction page yet. But I just had to jump in and tell you that I was in your shoes about twelve years ago. I didn't know one single thing about quilting except that I wanted to learn how. I cleared out the quilting section of my local library, got online and searched like crazy and joined a great quilting forum (again online) much like this one. Also, many churches have quilters in them so you can call around and find some lovely ladies (and maybe even a guy or two :wink: ) to learn from. There are just so many options open to you to help you learn and get encouragement from as you start your quilting journey. Good luck and happy quilting!

Go to your local library and check out some books on quilting. they are most helpful. Alsoo, if any of your family members have any outgrown clothers, or your local Salvation Army, these are good sources for getting practice fabric. Ask any question to the board and you will be surprised how helpful we can be. Good Luck!!!

I started quilting about 6 months ago. After several frustrating experiences, I purchased Harriet and Carrie Hargrave's books: Quilter's Academy, Volume 1, Freshman Year, and Volume 2, Sophomore Year. While I'd love to jump right into more complicated quilting, I am disciplining myself to read each class and do every project (in order, no less)!

Even though I'm only about 1/2 way thru Freshman Year, I have learned far more about fabric and basic technique than I'd ever imagined, AND I already successfully pieced the tops of two lap-size quilts!

I can't recommend these books more highly.

Suschi

Yes, I asked questions yesterday from these ladys. It did me a world of good. I went into my sewing room and did what they say to do. and it worked..lol.. thank you to all the ladies. I love you people.

Ask all your friends if they know someone in your area who quilts. I just heard today that there are 20 million quilters so you should be able to find one who is willing to help you. Ask at your senior center or library, check out the rest homes. There are usually people there who may not be able to quilt any more but would be so glad for the company and to be able to help you.

One thing that helped me was watching quilting programs on TV. At that time Simply Quilts was on HGTV but I don't think it is any longer. Fons and Porter "Love of Quilting" will be on your PBS station and I also get Eleanor Burns program on Dish network. Ask questions in your LQS; they are always glad to help and to talk about quilts.

Wow...I just read some of the posts people sent your way. What a GREAT bunch of quilters there are on this site. They make you feel like you can do anything and btw....you can. Just do it...it will be lots of fun!

You can also YouTube quilt lessons for some instructions.

Baby Steps Babes!
Don't get discouraged! There is a lot of free information out there!
We are always here to help!

Are there any quilt programs on TV in your area?

Eleanor Burns is on the RFD channel and you might want to check for Fons and Porter and America Sews with Sue. I have DISH TV so those are the programs currently running.

As the other members have suggested, Google quilt tuts or just check out the tutorials the wonderful members have posted here! Give it a little time and you'll find yourself wondering just what it was that you thought was so complicated! :thumbup:

Do you have any local quilt guilds? You can join or go as a 'guest' and see if they offer classes by the members. They are usually quite inexpensive compared to JoAnns or a quilt shop.

That is where I learned how to make my first quilt, a baby size quilt. It was a simple 9 patch with contrasting color fabrics. The class showed us how to measure, use a rotary cutter, iron, assemble in rows and how to baste using a spray basting. Also learned how to figure out how to measure for binding etc.

I think I paid $5 for the class about 7 yrs ago, the guild now charges $10 for a 6hr class. What a deal!

Please don't be discouraged.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

Oh and I heartily agree... youtube is a wonderful resource for tutorials on quilting.

Personally I am a visual learner and understand and learn better watching a video than reading a book.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

Don't be discouraged! We do all get that way sometimes over various things we're having trouble with, but stay with it. You should see some of my first quilts! But I just laugh and say that they were my "learning quilts." You can't learn everything all at once anyway, so make a goal to learn a few things at a time.
Check your tv schedule; there are several quilt programs offered. Check at your grocery store or Wal-Mart; they have magazines to teach various things at differing levels of quilting. Check eBay to see if you can win a good basic book on quilting.
Join a quilt guild. Best of wishes to you!

Don't give up, it often takes more than a few attempts before you feel like you have finally achieved a quilt worth finishing, I just kept going, now I have been quilting for 28 years, but I still check out tutorials online for new ideas :lol:

Help, I'm lost! I'm somewhat new to the Quilting Forum AND my internet connection is very iffy at times, and some how, between those two things and the fact that I'm electronically challenged......

Well, a couple of weeks ago I read where someone had said something like "let's set up a mentoring program". I can't remember if it was to try to hook up people in certain areas or only an on-line thing. Considering my computer skills I was sort of hoping to find some one locally. [I MUST join a group!]

Can anyone guide me to the right forum? I've scanned them, but haven't recognized the one I'm referring to.

Sierra

welcome, take advantage of the on line lessons and tuts on the board. wish all this info had been available when i started. learned by trial and error. needless to say my seam ripper is my best friend