It is nice to hear that I am not the only one who is frustrated with this quilt. I did take the project out of the closet the other day. I don't have a clue as to where to start again....It is supposed to snow again tomorrow, so I will be homebound and will read over the instructions again and try to do something. Maybe I just have to put it in my mind that it is going to take a LONG time to finish....Thanks for the encouragement

Taking a LONG time is not a bad thing really. I have one that I've been working on...well, almost a year. I keep getting stuck. I have to let it sit and rest up so that it "speaks" to me again. Then I can get a little more done. I'm in no hurry...its like I tell DH...I don't think I can :lol: afford to be a fast quilter!

I have been looking for a small project to do, to get me back in the mood for quilting....I do not have a lot of stash so I want something that does not require a lot of fabric...watching my dollars closely at this time....Your e-mails have got me thinking about this whole process....take time...do my best and enjoy the process.. Thanks for all the different ideas.....

I agree with pal, El Burns books are easy to follow and very detailed.
My quilts using her patterns always turn out nice.

Hi Singalong,
Where in Upstate? I know all about the projects that sit in the closet. Easy projects are strip quilting. There are some great rotary cutter books on the market. My very first quilt was a KING size quilt. But it was from a rotary cutter book and it came out great. If you need practice quilts, you can find books and fabric at yardsales, make the quilts as lap quilts and offer them to the local aged living facilities. They will be glad to have them and no one will notice the imperfections. That way, they don't stack up in your closet. With all the fabric you have from your unfinished project, you can salvage it and use it in the next project. Then, when you have more practice under your belt, get the pattern out and start again. Remember, go slow. It really pays off.

Welcome from South Louisiana. I've been quilting since "95 and still consider myself a "beginner" because I still work with the simpler patterns. I don't have enough years to ever be able to make all the patterns I would like to make. I love cutting and piecing, and yes, I still pin. Thanks to this board I have taken UFOs out of the closet and boxes and have completed a few of them. All you will get here is kindness, friendship, love, encouragement, and support. They have answered my questions and listened to my woes. When I don't know something, I ask. And I don't know a lot of things, but sometimes I find that I DO know enough to share with one that is more of a beginner than me. :lol:

As far as that complex first pattern of yours, I agree with many. You can do what some have suggested and put it all away in a safe place to get back to when you are more confident and skilled. OR you can chalk it up to experience and use the remaining fabric for another easier project. Keep the block/s that are done to use in another way. Perhaps one day you will make a sampler and you can use it as the starring block.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress.

This may be too simple for you, but I had fun making it this morning! Such an informative tutorial. I'm looking forward to the next steps and quilting it. I don't normally quilt things myself, so I thought I'd keep it small.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=697

:D

I bookmarked the web site...Just what I need ....Thanks for sending it along.....