Good Advice for a Newbie??
 

I'm still relatively new to the world of quilting (and am getting quickly addicted! !) and am working on my first project which is surprisingly coming together quite nicely thus far. Being new to it all and not having anyone really to give me pointers I've learned mostly from blogs and YouTube. I feel like I'm doing a lot the hard way sometimes. What advice do you have or lessons have you learned that have really helped the quilting process??

Hi and welcome to QB. You can learn a LOT just by reading this board.
Check all the tutorials. If you have any question, don't hesitate to ask.
I use google for a lot of things too. Happy quilting!

Easier to answer specific questions. What part of the process are you having doubts about?

I too have learned a lot from blogs and YouTube. I have also got a lot of books to help me to. I also feel like I'm doing thing the hard way, but what I do when I start a quilt pattern I check on the web to see if there is anything I can do to make it easier. If you have a quilt shop you like going to you can always ask them for help. I have four shops that I go to and they have help me a lot. I have taking some classes that have helped also. Good luck

Welcome from Dallas Tx. You will love it on this board. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here. Just ask.

The devil is in the details. Here is what I would recommend:
If it's a new pattern to you, do a trial block to verify your seam allowance, pressing order, and overall size.
Do not use flimsy fabric.
Test your fabric for color fastness and prewash if necessary.
Cut accurately.
Sew a consistent seam.
Press so the seams nest (if possible).
Square up the block.
Measure the top across the center and cut straight borders to that length. Then ease in any difference. (This will keep you from having wavy borders.)
Most importantly, have fun and ask lots of questions in the forums. We are always glad to share our quiltiness. :)

Big welcome from Louisiana. This board is fun andeucational.Great way to have those questions answered also Hugs

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone! Already a lot of pointers to keep in mind, just what I was hoping to get :)

I learned the same way, best advice i can give is to find a guild. Local or online. The best part of quilting is the community. Also remember progress not perfection. Also, i learned a lot from the online quilting tv show, The Quilt Show. It is a pay website, but worth it to learn from ricky tims and alex anderson. They have a block of the month that is a great way to learn new skills.

Take your time and go slow

measure twice, cut once

read directions all the way through and make a test block

It's a lot like painting. Most of the work in the preparation.

Don't get upset if you think you made a mistake. that is when creativity starts.

It is only fabric.

Have fun.
peace

I like "measure twice, cut once", I've almost got caught a couple of times and I'm glad I took the time to measure twice!

I've learned in the exact same way...the hard way. Lessons learned hard are better remembered. But we all are here to help with just about anything. I'd say pick projects that challenge you but not overwhelm. Work outside the comfort zone a little at a time. Your skill will naturally advance all on it's own.

Start early with a plan to organize your fabrics and maintain it.
If you can afford it, buy it!
Love your seam ripper!

Even experienced quilters make mistakes.

Allow yourself enough time to finish a project.

Make and finish one or two projects before offering/ promising to make a quilt for everyone you know.

Welcome from Minnesota! All really good advice here. Use this forum a lot. Check out the tutorials at Missouri Star Quilt Company ( I love Jennie Doan). Check out "About Quilting.com", there is lots of good advice there too. Don't be afraid to ask questions, there are many seasoned quilters out there that learn something new everyday. Don't waste your money on a lot of rulers. I got by for years with a 4 x 18. After buying nearly every color of thread on the market I learned that I can make almost any quilt with gray. Most of all, HAVE FUN and keep your first quilts. You will cherish them in years to come.

I've seen a ton of MSQ tutorials, they've been helpful. I'm writing third stuff down.Lots of good info. Thanks ladies!

A timesaver fo me would have been starting my quilt journal with my very first quilt. You should document your work with pictures and descriptions give credit where it is due. Take the credit for your modifications and your own designs, when you get to that point. I just did my journal after over 15 years of quilting. I couldn't remember the details on several and a couple I didn't even have pictures, only a memory of them. Also it is a great tool for you to follow your own improvement. Welcome to the Board! Learn how to post pictures in your thread when you have specific questions and the support here is overwhelming.

Welcome to the board from Northern Indiana. You will find a lot of help and answers here and remember, there are no dumb questions:)

Follow your heart, trust your eye - It's ok to learn them the hardway (sometimes they stick better!) and that gives you the experience! When you get stuck, come here and ask a question - you'll have lots of options to make a decision from to go forward with!!

Welcome from Tennessee. There are several ways to accomplish the same result. Watch videos, ask other quilters or read directions from several designers. They will all have a little different spin on the process. The trick is to learn several and pick which works best for yourself. If you belong to a guild, they are usually very helpful ladies.

Welcome from Spring, Texas and have fun.

If you are new you might like the website for missori star quilt company they have alot of free videos.

Really great advice!!!

Eleanor Burns is the best for newbies. She teaches every detail even which way to press seams.
Watch her videos on the Quilt In A Day website. She has a TV show but it is on a rural station that I cant remember the name of.
MSQC is also great and they have so far 3 or 4 magazines called Quilting Quickly available with Jennie Doans patterns.
As a beginner pick a simple modern pattern to start. Get your basic rulers 6x12 and 6x24 and a 12 in square ruler for squaring up your blocks. I found that you make a lot of half square triangles so Quilt In A Days triangle square up ruler is a must have.
You will also eventually want a good turning mat. It saves a lot of time and effort.

There really isn't a "right" and "wrong" way to do any technique, though there are quilt police out there who will tell you that the only way is their way. Don't believe them (that is Rule #1). However, you will find through trial and error that there are "hard" and "easy" ways to do things. My first recommendation is to find a local quilt store in your area that gives beginning quilt classes. They will not only teach you the hows of quilting, but the whys. If you don't have an LQS, see if there is a quilt guild in your area. Most guilds bring in teachers and have workshops, so you will learn new techniques. However, guilds are notorious for breeding quilt police, so just remember Rule #1 above. Try everything; take classes; make samplers. You will find things you love and things you hate. But always be open to trying something you hate again. With age and experience, you may find that you have grown as a quilter and whatever it was you hated about that technique is no longer so bad. For example, curved seams are not my favorite thing to do, but I've taken a couple classes, and they aren't as bad as they used to be. And most importantly, have fun. If it becomes stressful, put it down and walk away. Read a book, take a bubblebath, start cutting a new project. Then, when you go back to it, it may be better. Welcome to our world.

I would recommend that before you jump in with both feet and purchase a lot of gadgets, rulers etc. etc. that you try your hand at small project. I am primarily a hand quilter and have been at it for at least 40 years. You can make a nice lap robe or crib size quilt with preprinted fabric that looks like piecework. If you want you can make it bigger just add a few borders of plain fabric. Layer it with batting and a backing and start quilting either by hand or machine along what looks like the piecing or applique lines. Put a binding on it and no one but an experienced quilter will be able to tell that you didn't spend a whole lot of time cutting up fabric and sewing it back together. By the time you are finished you will know if you want to be a "quilter". In the history of quilting the first quilts were of "whole cloth". The "quilting" was to make it firmer and warmer. The idea of "piecework" came from the early American settlers who used every scrap of fabric left over from their clothing sewing so nothing would go to waste. Those early quilts kept their families warm and gave them an outlet for their creativity using everyday stuff in their lives. Welcome to the world of quilters. Have fun.

Just wanted to say "Welcome" - as you have already received some really great advice. :)

There are times you will receive conflicting suggestions - or the answer is "it depends - - - "

This is where experience comes in -

In the meantime, you may find it easier to follow one instructor/method until you develop what works better for you.

It truly is hard to completely botch a project!

Welcome to the board. I am sure you will get a lot of hints from these fabulous members.

In addition to all these good ideas here, I also get a lot of help from my friends.
I joined a Guild and am a member of a church quilting group.
Both groups have helped me grow as a quilter.

MadQuilter said it very good when I started I once cut the whole quilt top nothing fit later magazine came out with mistake in cutting measurements so now I like to make a test block oh yes welcome to the QB

Welcome, Quinn. You will find lots of support and information on this board. It sounds like you're off to a good start. Some of us who've been quilting for several years still do things the hard way! Or make it harder than it is. That's me for sure but I muddle through and generally have a passable quilt in the end. And I love it and I feel gratified when it's done so I guess it's just the way it is for me. You sound like you're interested in improving and you'll have fun along the way. Good luck and let us see you quilt when it's done.

Welcome aboard QB - you will find that the quilters are very generous with their information and tips for any problems you might be having. The things I've found helpful are to take classes, find a good quilt shop with helpful staff, watch the tutorials on You Tube, plus other sites, like Quilt in a Day, Missouri Star Quilt Company, tutorials on your favorite quilter's web sites, etc., etc. First and foremost, Rome wasn't built in a day, and the more you quilt, the better you get. I've found that keeping an accurate 1/4" seam, making HST's slightly larger, then cutting down to the required size saves lots of headaches, pressing as you sew, and squaring up your block. There are more, but I don't want to overwhelm you. The best advice of all is to HAVE FUN, to me that's what quilting is all about.

About the only thing I can think to add to what's been said is this link to a guild in Kenosha: http://www.southportquilters.net/ I have found endless inspiration and many helpful people in the guild in our area, and I'm sure you'll have a similar experience up there in Kenosha. Near the bottom of the page is a link to a youtube video - eye candy!

Welcome to QB from The Woodlands, TX!

Welcome from Ireland. My advice is measure twice, cut once.

Welcome aboard! This board is so very helpful to all of us, old and new. I would like to recommend a book, The Complete Book of Quilting by Better Homes and Gardens. It is a loose leaf notebook and the pictures and explanations are wonderful! A good go-to source.

Yep, QB and tutes - that's the way to go - and don't be afraid to ask questions. All of my dumb ones were kindly answered here.

I had sewed for years before I started quiltmaking and like you, learned by reading and from online sites.
So, not knowing how much general sewing experience you have, my advice, on this first one, is to go slow, press don't iron seams, make sure they match when sewing them together, don't hesitate to rip out if they don't, try to be patient, and enjoy the process and, finally, your finished product!

Welcome to a very addictive but wholly satisfying hobby! And to this board!

Welcome from S C. This old country girl learned quit a bit from this board, great people always willing to help, reading everything I could find and watching videos. Now I have friends who ask for my help. The best thing I have and the thing I use for all my cutting is the June Taylor shape cutter and my cutting mat with the rotary cutter. No more crooked cuts!!! Hope you enjoy your quilting experience.