I wasn't sure it was meant for me to be a quilter!
 

Well this newbie has done it!! I have FINALLY finished my first quilt, I didn't think I would ever see the day!! I just finished an 80x80 rag quilts for a dear friend who is moving back to Ca. I have been collecting flannel for quite a while so that I could make rag quilts for our 10 g-kids and was really excited to use my first attempt for such a dear friend who has always been there with a smile on her face during my darkest days after having to retire due to a disability. What a trip--designing a pattern using the different materials was easy, but then when I started to cut it out, things seemed to be telling me I should put it away. First thing I did when I started to cut it out was to take my rotary cutter out of the pkg and immediately cut my finger. Yes, I knew they were super sharp but my hands shake and sometimes I have no control of where they go, got it all cut out and followed the directions to a T and have figured out that there are a couple of steps that I won't use again. Sewing it together was also easy--even all of my corners fit like they should. Then I started cutting the fringe--bought fringe cutters but found my fabric scissors worked better. The fringe was a stop and go thing because those 'darn itis brothers', the ones that seem to decide to live in our joints were raising s fit both in my hands and shoulders. Both days that I figured I would have it finished in the afternoon, I ended up going to the hospital--ER, the 1st time with my daughter and the second was ER again with my gg-daughter who is expecting a baby is 3 weeks and had fallen. I finally finished last night, of course my friend left the day before--this morning I was going to take a pic to show all of you and the darn camera isn't working! Oh, well--next time, yes I have decided to continue and maybe one of these days I will no longer be a newbie. I spent this AM cutting out a quilt for the new baby!

Congratulations on finishing your first quilt! It's very addictive isn't it!

i think we all have projects that make us doubt our abilities, or 'why did i ever think i could do this?'. hang in there and try different methods of doing things. you will find something that fits you.

congrats on your first finish-just keep plugging along it gets easier

Congrats on finishing your first quilt! It will be the first of many, as the first just whets the appetite for more....LOL. If I had only found this website before starting that first quilt, I wouldn't have made near as many mistakes. We are a very helpful bunch and will answer any questions you may have. Good luck in your next quilt.

Congratulations on your first quilt - and you're on to your 2nd already. You are hooked my friend! Join the rest of us - you couldn't be in a nicer group of addicts.

Hang in there. Some days are definetely better than others, and some projects are way better than others. I still pick projects - and half way thru say to myself "self - what were you thinking". Last night for instance, I had a black and white picture of a finished quilt. I had the measurements of the quilt, and I had fabric. No pattern, but gosh darn, I wanted to make this. So I tried to figure out to the best of my ability the size of each piece, so that I came somewhere near the size of the finished product. I got it all cut out. Layed it out. Saw immediately that one color I had was not going to work. So I started cutting out pieces in a darker fabric. But, today is another day.

We have all been there but the pride of a beautiful finished quilt makes it all worth while.

Always remember, we ALL started with a first quilt and you actually finished yours. Just keep going, it even gets to be more fun.

They get easier the more quilts you make. Just keep making them.

Congrats on finishing your first quilt - it's such a good feeling and no matter how many you make it still makes you feel good when it's completed. We all have days where nothing goes right-you are not alone. It will all work out.

The more you do the better it gets.

Congrats on your first quilt. I learn something new with each quilt I make. We all had a first quilt!

Congrats to you! And I'm sure your friend will be ecstatic to receive this very special first quilt.

Congratulations

You go girl!! Hang in there as I think quilting is good therapy, or so I keep telling myself. There are days. . . . . and then there are days. I have found when things go wrong, it's a learning experience. Like that bitter pill we take in life to make us stronger. Welcome to the quilters club.

Good for you! You should be very proud!

Congratulations on finishing your quilt! Maybe your friend will send a picture after she gets it. Hope your daughter is feeling better and the new baby arrives (arrived?) healthy and well :)

Congratulations. I always sing the entire Hallelujah Chorus when a quilt is finished. Fortunately, I'm usually home alone. Hope you can post a picture soon.

Congratulations on finishing your first quilt. Now you are hooked just like the rest of us. lol

You got it done and it was done with love.

Am curious about 'those fringe cutters' you used that bothered your 'itis brothers.' If you use the Fiskars rag snips it is a breeze to do the edge snipping. Give them a try. I was lucky mine were a gift, but after using them would have bought them myself if I had to.

ali

congrats on finishing your first quilt!:thumbup: you know quilting is a journey so take your time, relax and enjoy the trip. please keep your fingers out of the path of your rotary cutter!:shock: i have found rotary cutters quite unrelenting when they are up against anything they can reasonably cut through. i look forward to seeing a pic of your first quilt.

I live in California, and one of my best quilting friends (rather best friend who quilts) moved to Wyoming a few years back. Too bad she's not near Cheyenne, or I'd send her your way!

I can't say it's ever "easy", but I promise you, it does get easier. Oh, and get some of those special gloves to protect your hands while cutting. I have some problems with my hands, and I'm always worried about cutting off a finger, or just doing more damage to my hands. So I wear the cutting gloves. I think Fons and Porter carry them.

Carry on! You're doing great!

Hang in there, I'm a newbe too and I have my times I can tell you. But I just love quilting and I won't give up. I think it's the challenge. I'm sure you will be a wonderful quilter in no time. Keep up the good work.

good for you another quilting buddy

Congrats to you on your first project. Maybe when you can relax a bit more & simply enjoy the process, this addiction called quilting will give you some peace to be able to handle those "dark" moments we all face in our lives. Best of luck with your new hobby.

The more you make, the more you want to make. I love my sewing machine!

Anita in Northfield, MN

Good for you on the finish!:thumbup: Sounds like you are as dear a friend to her as she to you! Doesn't a quilt just sum up our love and friendship for others! Just beautiful. Congratulations on the upcoming grandbaby.:)

You picked one BIG quilt for a first project. Congratulations on your finish.
Why not make a table runner or some placemats next. I think you might enjoy the process a little more and have quicker results.

@Elaine433, LOL, that was my thought. My first rag quilt was 30 X 30 for the dog. Just wanted to try the technique!!

That is a great story of determination. No, seriously. I haven't thought a quilt journal would be handy for me at all, but you should start one with this story, and continue with any of following stories of how life isn't about being easy. The strength and determination of your character would shine through those stories and be a good inspiration to your family. That's just IMHO.

I wasn't sure Iit was meant for me to be a quilter!
 

Congratuations on finishing. Sorry about your finger. It might be worth your while if you intend to make a lot of rag quilts to invest in a Go. Our quilt club bought one and we all use it. We also bought several dies including the 8" rag block. It even cuts the fringe for you!!! Just a thought!!!! hugs from nw fl

Sounds like you are a quilter; not just because you finished a quilt but because you have a giving heart. Keep up the good work and before long, you'll be cranking them out.

What you could do is get an Accuquilt fabric cutter, They have a fabric cutter die just for rag quilts. This would save your finger and you will be amazed at how fast you can cut out a quilt. AND you don't have to cut those nasty fringe the cutter die cuts them for you. Good luck and Congrats on finishing the quilt.

Congrats on your first quilt. You might consider buying a fabric cutter, like an Accuquilt or Sissix(?) to make it easier for you.

It seems as if I struggle everytime I get on my machine, but I refuse to give up. What few quilts I have made everyone raves over them and makes me feel I've done something good with my life. And made others happy. Keep on keepin on girl!

anxious to see when you get camera working

Fun isn't it? I've only been quilting for about 6 months or so and am absolutely hooked. I've been doing a lot of charity quilts (Quilts For Kids.org) just to get the practice & it's very rewarding. Hope you can post a picture soon - would love to see what you did!

oh the feeling of accomplishment!!!!
Congratulations! I get that feeling every time...course it could be bc I work so slow, lol!:D