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This may be a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway. I sew but do not know how to quilt; I'm going to start a class next month.

I have two wonderful children: a daughter graduating from medical school in early June, and a son who's having an engagement party in April and wedding some time in 2012. How fast and what pattern could I use to produce the graduation quilt. I'll put the wedding quilt on hold for the moment.

I made both kids a scrapbook not knowing a lick about that, so my positive spirit is shining through. Is it feasible or am I trying to do a Herculean task for such a newbie? Give me the straight scoop! Thanks so much!

There are many easy quilts that would be lovely and easy to make. I have several sites I go to on a regular basis. Here they are and the rest of us are available 24/7 to answer questions.

http://quilting.about.com/

http://www.ehow.com/how_2044939_make-quilt.html

Others on here will have more ideas on how to get started.

Oops, didn't answer your original question of how long. It depends on the pattern, the expertise and the skill of the seamstress.

What class are you taking?

I think as a rule the bigger pieces, the faster the quilt goes together. Some patterns look a lot more complicated though because strip quilting can make a complicated design easier than it looks.

If you are machine piecing a lap-size quilt, using an easy pattern like Rails, Yellow Brick Road, Take Five, you can cut it all out in one day and two to four days to piece it. I have my quilts quilted at my FQS (Little Blessings, Crossville, TN), so it takes longer to get them quilted. Some others on the Board quilt their own and can give you and idea of how long it takes them. How long it takes you depends on how much time you have, your pattern, and how you are going to quilt it. You can even do what I have done ... I took the pieced top to the shower, so the new mommy could see it; then I took it home and got it quilted and shipped it to her.

Answer to your question: Fast... (even if it takes sewing into the dawn)

Quote:

Originally Posted by apronlady

That depends on a lot of things. The pattern, the techniques involved, the skill of the quilter, if you cut your own pieces or use precuts (like jellyrolls), and how much free time you have. Patterns that use pieces of the same size are easier. Things can get complicated if you have a pattern with different shaped and different sized pieces. If you can use strip piecing things will go by faster because you don't have to cut out each piece indivually. I'd forgo anything with curved seams or even applique because both can be a little tricky if you've never attempted it before.

Some patterns I suggest: Nine Patch, Rail Fence, Irish Chain, and Pin Wheel. These are all very easy, they use the same sized pieces, and strip piecing can be used (except the pinwheel, but there is a shortcut to making pinwheels---http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri...21/ekYpJzHoW6E). Another easy quilt to make would involve the Tube Quilting technique---http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri...60/vOWSp0mTTqE and http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri...3/J5WgTyqB8Pc. And to make them even easier you can make them with jellyroll pre-cuts (in the case of the pinwheels, charmpacks)

And you are doing a Herculean task (coming from a quilter who's second quilt was a denim quilt). A beginner can totally put a quilt together. ;)

I made a hidden wells quilt in 2 weeks from start to sending it to my Godfather. This was on top of working and running around after the kids.
I was very happy with the result.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-56286-1.htm

I would start with a book from Eleanor Burns "Quilt in a Day" . Yes they will take a bit longer depending on your speed and confidence, but she gives great step by step instructions, and none are very difficult.

It took me 6 weeks to machine piece and hand quilt a star quilt for my Dad's birthday. It was queen sized. I did the same for my Mother for her birthday and it was the same pattern and took the same amount of time.

there are quilts that can be put together in a few hours, a weekend, a week, a month...and years. big block quilts go together quickly and there are some very good looking patterns. start looking through the picture posts you will find all kinds of inspiration and visit your library they usually have some beginner books available. there are tons of websites with free patterns.- and u-tube of course. :thumbup: