I have three singer machines, all different ages and I love them all. I would start out (as others have advised) with a small project. There is nothing wrong with starting small. My first project was a queen-sized quilt and I choose a hard pattern with triangles and I think it would be easier to start with squares and rectangles. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your quilting.

I bought a small machine at Big Lots (discount store in the south) for $39. It just goes in forward and reverse. Works on batteries or ac and is light enough to take to classes. That would work well for a first machine for piecing.

There are those who prefer the hand piecing/hand quilting route. Look into Inklingo at Lindafranz.com. It is a system that prints your sewing lines on the fabric. They have an extensive line of patterns available and lots of helpful folks on the yahoo group. The work displayed is really beautiful and all by hand.

Machine!

Start small and get to know your equipment. Take a class some where. Learn the basics before you start a big project. Besides it is always fun to take a class and meet other people who are new at this. Remember there are no dumb questions. Every one of us here started the same place you are right now, we have just been at it longer and have experience. Do you have a family member or friend who has an extra machine that you could use till you get going? in the mean time good luck.

Jan

Each technique of quilting has its challenges - hand, domestic machine and long arm. Each one requires practice and it is just a matter of finding your preference. I quite frankly,like all of them. I can't afford a long - arm; I do some hand quilting, and it takes a long time, so I mostly run my quilts under the domestic sewing machine because it is quick and has some nice customised quilting designs that one can only do this way, as do the other methods .
I'm not much help to steer you in any direction - why not have a go at all of them and you will soon find which you like?

Welcome to this board and to quilting. I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy the quilting world, whether you use machine or quilt by hand. Best wishes in your new quilting endeavor!

Hi David
My husband has been quilting for about 14 years. Started out doing only hand piecing and hand quilting and won a number of awards. When asked by the girls in the office, he decided to use a machine to piece and quilt a baby quilt for anyone who became pregant ( first pregancy only). Other than the baby quilts, he continues to "quilt as our fore-mothers did" and enjoys every minute of it.

Welcome to quilting, and welcome and warm wishes to our guild. I would never get any thing done if I had to do it by hand, and I don't think my hands would hold up to doing it by hand. I love to use my machine in piecing and quilting. If you do get a machine, be sure to test drive it, machines, like clothing, have to fit you. Good luck and have fun.

If your are a very impatient person, or lose interest easily then you need a machine. I started quilting in high school, i started out by hand lost interest, my aunt ended up sewing the quilt and i didn't finish one until my early twenties, now i do everything by machine. I think i got my cheap brother machine on overstock.com for i think 109 at the time and it has a small quilting table and about 30 stitches, and sews beautiful. I highly recommend you get a machine. Hand work is good for traveling like hand applique.

Go ahead, try a small lap quilt, or maybe a pillow, but check your local sewing machine repair shops, purchase a machine that is inexpensive and try it, you never know what you like until you try it, but remember thet you don't want to spend to much on a machine until you figure it out, by the way, ask a friend if they have a machine, or check your local adudt education center, see if they have a beginners quilting class, or maybe your loacal fabric and quilt shops

Welcome David. I think that machine quilting might be best at first - just me, (I don't like hand work) and if you don't have a machine, check the thrift stores or Wal Mart for an inexpensive $100 or so if you want a new machine, and start there, then if you love quilting which you most likely will, move on up in the machine line.
Start with something very simple a table runner, place mats or small wall quilt. I would not go overboard at first trying to get all the tools that most of us have accumulated over the years for quilting.
You will definitely need a cutting mat I would suggest no smaller than a 10x16, a rotary cutter, some scissors Fiskars spring loaded handles would be good, a straight ruler at least a 6x24, package of needles for hand work, which you will need, your fabric and thread. If you check out some of the books, look for one that tells you how to quilt, Eleanor Burns quilt in a Day books are good for beginners I think. If you have anyone you now that quilts, I would suggest taking them with you and getting their opinions. Purchase a few pieces of good cotton fabric to start with, then if you like what you are doing, get your backing and batting. Be sure to purchase what the pattern calls for when you decide on the pattern, because it is hard to get what you start with at a later date. That fabric may be gone when you go back.
Have you ever done any sewing before?
If you will go to Missouri Star Quilting on the net, and check out their videos, or Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day, you will get some good ideas and a lot of help.
Let us know if we can help you in this beautiful new journey in your life.
Glad to have you aboard. This is the BEST place to get any help and questions answered that you need.

David since you are new to this site, check out the heading of pictures on the top or bottom of the pages and look at some of the quilts made by folks on this board. Eddie of Arkansas does quilting, so does Billy-Lostn51, and I can't think of his board title at the moment but his name is also Bill -Lockeb, and is from Canada. Just put any of these names in the search and look for their work. They have all made just beautiful quilts. Can't wait to see something of yours. I know there are other men on this board as well, just can't recall at this time.
I don't think anyone has mentioned that many of us prewash our fabrics in case the dye runs, so it won't damage other fabrics we are using. Don't use fabric softener though, Just a hint to help you along. Go on line and look up 10 minute blocks and see how you like that pattern it is quick and easy to do. A little bit of advice - Quilting Can be addictive, and remember don't be afraid to ask ANY question everyone here is so helpful and there is No Dumb question ever. Again Welcome. Gerbie

David go to Allpeoplequilt.com and check out their section on easy quilts and the section on learn to quiilt. You can download free patterns there also. This might be a good place for you to start.

Piece by machine.
45 mm rotary cutter and a goodsized mat
pins, iron, good 100% cotton fabric and threads
and easy pattern to start and go for it oh an the Better
Homes and Gardens Quilting you can get at JoAnns fot like 19.95

Piece by machine.
45 mm rotary cutter and a goodsized mat
pins, iron, good 100% cotton fabric and threads
and easy pattern to start and go for it oh an the Better
Homes and Gardens Quilting you can get at JoAnns fot like 19.95
A machine that has a 1/4 in foot

If you decide to give it a try hand piecing, a good place to start might be the stained glass "cathedral" quilts since they really lend them selves to hand work and would tell you if this is something you will like, although once bitten I expect you will want to get a featherweight, since they are so cute, lightweight, portable and relatively affordable. Stay away from the cheap plastic stuff out there, you will be better off with a vintage singer and the initial investment not so many$$. Goood Luck and keep us posted!!:)

Woah, that would not be my choice for a beginner project. You must have lots more patience than I. 8-) But then again, I'm only interested in hand applique if I cannot move, and then after about 15 minutes, I'm done! Not finished, just done. That pattern is too much like needleturn applique for me, and I admire anyone that can finish one.
Stephanie
ps: I totally agree about the vintage Featherweight, though.

I dont' do anything by hand... I don't have the patience for that. I have a LA too just because dealing with a large quilt in my machine drives me nuts!

Welcome from Iowa.

Also go on Craigs list under Wanted, sometimes people have machines they don't use.

Hi David!!! welcome to quilting (sigh) if you have a few xtra bucks, find your self a brothers machine very inexpensive, an excellents machine actually made by the same manufacturer as one of the higher priced models. wonderfuls machines. Usually available at Wal-Mart

WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION! Since machines that don't perform right will cause a real tantrum [lol] here, my advice is to visit a reputable dealer and maybe get a good used or starter machine. Try some handwork pieces, and machine work, explore, think of the possibilities. I love both and have to do both to keep my sanity. Let your instincts guide you.

I love my Janome DC 3050. It wasn't even bought for quilting but it's doing a great job! My arthritic fingers don't allow for hand stitching much so I don't do it. Try both and welcome to the world of quilting. I also have a Junor Kenmore that still sews the straightest stitch. It was $69.00 I think.

That patience was what happened after a run around the block with breast cancer and a 71st birthday. I USED to be Gods most IMPATIENT creature, now is my time to stop, smell the roses and learn to quilt. :D

I do both...I mainly machine piece but I also keep a few projects going by hand for the portability. It's amazing how much you eventually get done just a few minutes at a time while waiting.