Looking for a first quilt idea
 

Hi everyone,

I would like to start quiliting, but can't decide on a project idea. Anyone have any suggestions for a small easy project that I could make as my very first quilting project. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

You might want to start with a wall hanging or table runner.
That way you can see the whole process thru, and have the excitement of completion!

check out http://www.modabakeshop.com/

Here are some fairly simple ones http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/04/...uilt.html#more

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/02/...uilt.html#more

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/01/...uilt.html#more

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/11/...uilt.html#more

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/10/...uilt.html#more

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/10/...uilt.html#more

I taught myself to quilt by making pot holders for folks at Christmas one year. I chose various blocks to get a feel for working with different shapes, batted, quilted and bound each one. Each little 9" square gave me lots of lessons from start to finish.

I remember I had a book of 101 Pot Holders ... but I gave it to a friend.

If there is a local quilt shop, take a basic class. You will be so happy with learning the basics of quilting. Good luck.

Start with a small quilt, crib/lap size. Choose a pattern with few pieces and a pattern that doesn't have a lot of seams to match. Nine patches are great for a first quilt. The main thing to remember, cut pieces exact, and sew an exact 1/4 inch seam. If cutting and seams aren't exact the pieces won't match up. Be sure to square up all your blocks before sewing your rows together. Happy Quilting!

I have a friend that just started making her first quilt. In quilting the 1/4 inch seam is so important in piecing. I started my friend out with a JELLY ROLL QUILT or 1600 QUILT for her first project. First, she learned how to put the strips together using the diagonal seam. Sure we got a couple of diagonals going the wrong way but they were easy to remove and gave us a pretty good laugh. Then, while sewing the seams, she became very comfortable making the 1/4 inch seam. This is an easy and fast quilt project and if you waiver a bit from the seam allowance, it is not that noticable in the overall quilt.

Jenn had a blast making the quilt and was really proud of herself giving it to her husband as a gift.

Start small, maybe a baby or lap quilt. YOu might start with the rail pattern. Quick and easy. Enjoy.

Table runners are great or a small lap quilt with a simple pattern like a rail fence, irish chain or log cabin. My first was a small lap quilt using a rail fence. compared to my quilts now it looks awful cause the seams are off and blocks are not lined up, but for my first it wasn't bad because I was still learning how to cut using a ruler. I got the june tailor shape cut and that helped me tremendously with my accuracy on strip cutting. My second quilt was ahuge difference, very accurate seams and matching

I bought some basic quilt books, and started making some blocks, but it wasn't until I took a beginner's class at a LQS that I really got going. I also joined a local guild, and that really fueled my interest in quilting. Beware - it can be addictive.

Rail fence is an easy quilt to start with.

Yellow Brick Road is another easy one. I started with it.

Another good place to start is with an Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day Log Cabin. The instructions are extremely detailed, and it's a simple but beautiful quilt. Also check out some of the quilts on the Buggy Barn website. I am familiar with three of them which are very simple and forgiving--it doesn't even matter if your seam allowances are consistent. It only matters that you sew straight. The blocks come out oversized and then are squared up all to the same size before they are sewn together. I think most, if not all, their patterns are forgiving in this way---it has to do with how they are cut out and constructed. The three which I know are so easy (and very pretty!) are: Star Crazies, Triple Star Crazies, and Ctazy About Hearts and Stars.
Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting! :thumbup:

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! :) I'm a little intimidated by the whole quilting process, but I think I just have to jump in and start doing it.