I took a basic class first and found the information valuable. I like paper piecing and it is a good way to start, but I like finding a project I want to do and that keeps me motivated - welcome to this board - it is addictive

Hi and welcome to quilting. I am relatively new at this as well but grew up with a quilter, so I had an advantage with understanding some of the terminology. Best advice- Find a local small-town quilt shop and tell them you are looking for a first quilt project with no points to match. They can help you with a simple pattern, coordinating fabric and they will appreciate your business much more than a large retail chain will. They also offer classes.

Welcome from NC. I've never paper pieced so don't know how difficult it is. I started with a throw using fat quarters. It went very fast and I could see a finished project before I got too frustrated.

Sara in NC

Iam scared to death of it!

I would take a class. That way you could see of you really liked it before you sink a bunch of money in it. Once you do one and learn the basics you will be hooked! Have fun.

Welcome to quilting. A great hobby...way of life. Do what feels best to you, but look at patterns and choose one you really want. That way you will want to do well, not just practice. Precision is key no matter wich way you choose to start.

Welcome from S.C.!

I love paper piecing for the sharp straight lines and points it gives me , but I don't think it is something I would have tried as a beginner.

My first quilt was an Irish chain and was done from instructions in a book.
Go to Joanne's and look at their quilting books. Or go to a local quilt shop and ask for help.

Good luck
Roxanne

Hi from TN! I have to agree with mic-pa, there are so many things to learn & I think half the fun of quilting is spending your time with others who love quilting.

I suggest you start with a nine block, and go square by square. The first quilt I did was a nine block. The #1 thing is to make sure you have 1/4" seam allowance. That is the key to every well made quilt.
Patience is the #2. Don't try to run through anything. Quilting should never be rushed.
I find it very relaxing now that I have learned the two lessons above.
Also, I recommend you take a beginners class at your LQS.
Welcome from Wisconsin!

I agree whole-heartly with everyone who said, Run, to your nearest quilt shop and take a beginner class. You will never regret spending the money, if you have a good instructor. I have taught beginner quilters for quite a few years, and beginning students come in with varying experience and can always use the information received from a class. GO FOR IT!!!! And have fun.

Hi. I'm pretty new too. I took a sampler class at my local quilt shop. I learned so much and at the end I had a completed top. Now I am building the courage to machine quilt it myself. Have fun.
Anne Marie

I enjoy paper piecing because if you sew exactly on the lines, your blocks will come out right. You do have to think in reverse though, because you will be stitching from the paper side which just happens to be the back of the block, and whatever you stitch will be in reverse on the front side. Another thing you have to consider is all that paper will need to removed after you are done sewing. But you can do that part while watching tv. My suggestion is, if you want to give it a try, sew one of the blocks with a few pieces, and gradually advance to more pieces.

Welcome, paper piecing is very accurate. Its a place to start. There are loads of good books for beginners as well as information on the web. Welcome to the wonderful world of quilts and quilters.

Welcome--I've been quilting for only 2+ years. I went into a quilt shop with what I thought would be a good first project and the wonderful owner of the shop just shook her head and smiled. Then she pulled out a booklet named "Turning Twenty...Again" designed by Tricia Cribbs. Each block is made up of rectangles and squares and it really was a good design to start with--at least it was for me.

The blocks were somewhat forgiving because as a new quilter I didn't know about squaring up fabric, or squaring up the finished top--come to think about it--I didn't know a lot--only what I'd watched friends do.

I did take a class with PP and I would suggest, as others have, that PP be left for a later challenge.

Good luck and enjoy!

Hello and welcome from Alabama. I would not recomend that you start paper piecing.
Start with 9 patch, snowball, pattern thats what my sister teaches her first time students. Well of course I failed misserbly, but I kept at it, sure beats watching re-runs.... and when you get past the free patterns, and all the ufo's that you make, your a quilter for sure. At first I wanted so badly to make a quilt. I sure did, but its whop sided and not actual size, it takes time and practice so dont give up. Pratice, Pratice.
I have notice most of the beginners using the u-tube viedos,(show u how to do something) but be carefull my puter picked up a virus there.

barbara

One of my first quilting projects was a sampler-type quilt, which introduced me to various block types, including paper piecing. While I really like the result, making an entire quilt that way would be quite tedious (to me).

I made the wall quilt "Over by the Pond" for my sister's birthday last year, and that was entirely paper piecing. I was sick of pp by the time it was finished, but it was a beautiful project.

sherrysue

There are so many places on the internet with many good videos. Find some on youtube or individual sites. They have so many helpful tutorials with step by step directions, and what you need to get started. Then there is this site which is the best ever that will help you with just about anything. Good luck on you quilting.

Suzy

I would suggest signing up for a class at one
of your local quilting stores. You could meet
new people and have the knowledge of the staff
teaching the class. I was lucky enough to
have my daughter giving me instructions on a
block by the month project. It was hard when I
first started but now I really enjoy my quilting.
Betty Lee

I myself don't like paper piecing ,although I have done it for blocks of the month,etc. I would start with regular piecing, since a lot of the patterns and basics you will learn by doing this.

I would start with simple blocks or with a sampler where you will learn a bit of almost everything. Good Luck and enjoy, CAUTION--it is habit forming.

hello from south Mississippi and I hate paper piecing, I love applique and piecing. Just my opinion....

WELCOME !!!! You will find a lot of friendship here. Start out with a four patch ....something small...so you don't get discouraged.

Unless you are taking a class pp is not easy.

Welcome welcome! Quilting is so much fn and it sure beats watching mindless TV. I would wholeheartedly agree with taking a beginner's quilt class or 3, but I would also add to it:
Make sure you have good essential tools to work with. Any machine as long as it does a striaght stitch will work fine but dull scissors, cheap thread and inaccurate rulers will make you crazy and can ruin a project. My recommendations:

2 pairs of cutting scissors,one small for ripping seams (alas) and one large for cutting. Get the best quality you can afford - they last a lifetime.

A large gridded cutting mat

An OmniGrid ruler (I like the 24")

A rotary cutter, 45 mm with backup blades (you replace a lot of these!)

Good thread. I like Gutermann (and they have 1000 yd spools) others swaer by Coates and Clark. Just don't use old thread or no name thread. The breakage isn't worth it.

Beeswax. If you have to do any handsweing at all, this keeps any thread from snarling.

Long pins. New, sharp points.

An assortment of hand sewing needles that actually have eyes you can SEE.

Anyone else have any favorite basics to add?

My first quilt was a sampler. 30 yrs ago. Using a few different blocks. Just to try it out. I now just love samplers. I've never paper pieced. To me it seems like more work than necessary. Taking a beginner class is the best way to go unless you have someone to help you along the way.

Welcome to the board from Chattanooga, TN. I agree that paper piecing would be a tough start for a beginner. I enjoy it and use it when I find a pattern I really love. There are several simple pattern you would love.
Do you have sewing experience? If you do than Log Cabin is a good start. You can make a beautiful quilt with simple straight line sewing and today they have taken log cabins to the next level.
I wish you all the enjoyment and you will find it feed an artistic side or creative side that women are born to need to feel.

Paper piecing is good, but I prefer to piece regular. Everybody has their own way of doing things. Just go for it. If you don't like it go another route. And that way you are trying new things.!

I would try something with squares, it was easier for me. I just starting thinking about learning paper piecing and from what I've learned so far I sure wouldn't try it as a beginner Welcome from Colorado. You will find some wonderful hints and terrific people on this board.

Welcome from Arizona!

Hello from NC = Glad you could join us! Take a beginner class.

I started with a class using Eleanor Burns log cabin...it was so much fun and fast and easy way to learn. AND I had a finished top when the class ended.

I started with a class using Eleanor Burns log cabin...it was so much fun and fast and easy way to learn. AND I had a finished top when the class ended.

Welcome from Arizona. Beginner's classes and this site will be your best friends if you decide to bring your free spirit to quilting.

Enjoy the new ride,
Andie

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement. I went last night and bought the book Quilters Complete Guide by Fons & Porter. I have been reading it ever since. I know I will start something small now that I know a little bit more than I did yesterday! Thanks again everyone

I personally think that making a wall hanging of some sort is the least difficult. I made several applique pictures taken from coloring books. I used the blanket stitch around the figures. For example: a Santa, etc.

Hello from SC. My suggestion would be to practice the basics of regular quilting first, proper measering, accurate 1/4" seams, etc. When you are comfortable with this, make of couple of small practice pieces, then maybe try your hand at PP. It is not one of my favorite things to do and to me doesn't seem as easy as it looks. Let us know how you like it. I will be watching for your comments.

Hi and welcome from British Columbia!

I love doing paper-piecing but my first quilt was traditional piecing..a simple Rail Fence. Looking back I'm glad I started with traditional. It gave me more practice with the correct seam allowances and just lining everything up. After that I was able to take that experience to "another level".

Hello My first quilt was a logcabin. I took the class at JoAnn's and it was quilt a top in a day. It was easy and fun. I went to a class at a quilt shop a couple yrs ago on paper piecing and had it all cut out before I went. I still have not started sewing it yet.
My goal this yr 2011 is to start and finish this quilt.
Good luck with your first quilt. I would go to a class also.
Connie

since you are a beginner here is a good sight to start with all the basics you might need.
Happy quilting,
ree-nee

http://equiltblocks.com/welcome.html

Yeah!!! Another quilting friend! I would pick a pattern that knocks your socks off (no matter the skill level) and do that. If you love it, you will be determined to make it! Just my thoughts.

I have all my newbies in my class do a 4 patch or 9 patch table runner first so they won't get to discouraged ...a quilt takes much longer and they seem to do better with something that they can finish in a short time....welcome to the wonderful world of quilting !!!!!