Got a kit. . . Where do you start?
 

Hello!

Okay, I bought this really cute kit from Fat Quarter Shop. It's the Buttons & Bloom and features Red Rooster fabrics.

I'm new to quilting. I've done some but never a bed sized quilt and never one this expensive.

It came in a box. It came in these nice plastic pouches and I got a book with instructions. Now what? I have looked at all the pretty fabrics and have decided maybe I have bitten off to much this soon? I'm just so afraid I'll do something (cut) and it be wrong! Do they give a little extra fabric just in case I mess up?

So, when you start a kit what are the steps you take from the minute it arrives and you have inspected it? :confused:

It's always good to check the pattern and verify that all ingredients that should be with the kit are actually there! When you are ready to start your quilt, read over directions and make sure you understand them all.

read instructions several times and highight important part and then lay out the templates or mark the cutting instuctions to make sure you have sufficient fabri and know which to cut.

Yep, first check to make sure you have all the fabric required. Read the instructions carefully to see if the sashing is to be cut first from the yardage, if it has sashing. Is it a sampler or a repeated block? If it's a repeated block, read the cutting instructions carefully and cut and sew your first block. If it works out well and measures what it is supposed to continue on. If it's a little small or big, that won't matter with a repeated block. If the blocks are all different they do have to measure the same for ease in assembly.
Remember if you goof up, it can become a couch throw instead of a bed quilt. We all started as beginners and had to learn by trial and error (lots of error in my case) Now there are wonderful resources for new quilters either on the net or here at QB. Have fun!

it helps to identify each fabric- which one it is-where it goes- use sticky notes to identify each one with the patterns---usually on the pattern it will list...fabric 1, fabric 2 ect---or A,B,C...identify each one- making sure you have each one called for- and the proper amount....that way when you are ready to start you will be cutting the correct fabric-
check out the cutting chart- and generally you cut in order as shown on the cutting chart- again use sticky notes (or baggies) to keep the pieces identified.

Make a smaller quilt and let this wait until you feel more confident to work on it. Follow each step word for word, when you decide to start it. I have only mae 1 kit quilt and didn;t like it much. I have made about 93-95 quilts. Good luck.
Welcome from outside St. Louis.

That's a really cute quilt pattern

read it through several times

http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/...20&Parent_Ids=

I bought a kit with 30s fabrics a few months ago. I'm almost done with the blocks. This is also my first kit. What it is intimidating for me is the finishing part. I need to put the sashing and cornerstones and then it will be ready for quilting.

very cute kit. take the plung!!!! if you mess up it will be a couch quilt.

Perhaps you might want to wait a little bit to do this one and get some experience with something simpler. Lots of good advice given here. Good luck!

I had looked at this pattern too! It is really cute........I may leap into it also, but I have fabric for 2 other quilts sitting here! I am really trying not to have a huge backlog of ones I want to make. Besides that my dh says that the quilts I'm making are all in mud tones--his view of cream/brown/rust/navy/deep red's.

HOWEVER.....this is tempting!!

I believe in working on projects you like. You'll be more inclined to actually finish them. Jump in but do as most have suggested here and read carefully, sort carefully. Sticky notes and baggies are your faithful friends. Always cut your largest pieces first (and most instructions should tell you this). Label carefully. Check off each step as you complete it - be it cutting something or sewing something. You'll get interrupted and this is the easiest way to find where you left off.

Just about all of my 'hobbies' are self taught. When I was teaching myself to knit I found a pattern I liked, bought the yarn and sat down to work. It was then I noticed the instructions said 'for experienced knitters only'. After reading the pattern and some basic instructions a few more times I came to the conclusion the only reason you needed to be experienced was in order to read the instructions. Re-wrote things to make sense for me and away I went. Beautiful, hooded, pocketed 'fisherman' sweater later I was happy. So, make what you like. You'll be happy you did.

All kits don't come with extra fabric. My sister got a kit and the instructions said "DO NOT PRE-WASH". She discovered that there was just enough fabric to make the quilt. No extra for shrinkage when washed or error in cutting. I've also gotten kits and had extra fabric that would have allowed for errors in cutting.

I don't know how complex your instructions are or if you're just leary of making that first cut. I'm making a wall hanging from a kit and I consider it complex and a new technique....so here's what I'd suggest (and have been doing with this current kit)

READ the instructions....look at the fabric....READ the instructions...match up the fabric to where they go per the instructions....READ the instructions....make your own notes if necessary to help you understand the instructions you read....READ the instructions....and start when you're rested.

Good luck - post the pattern name and/or picture. Perhaps someone's made it already and can help if you have more questions.