I would like to try my hand at machine quilting. I looked at some books today at Joann's but had no idea which one to get. I need one that would teach me the basics. I know nothing about machine quilting. Any recommendations? TIA

I would start with stitch in the ditch. I started before I ever knew what a walking foot was. now, it is my best friend. (next to my quilting foot)

Use your walking foot. If your machine doesn't have one- buy it. It feeds the layers evenly through and is worth it's weight in gold. I would also use spray quilt basting to put your layers together, and then just stitch down the seams.

Once you like that, you'll be ready for free-motion quilting. It was a huge challenge to me on any larger size piece, so I ended up with a frame and mid-arm, which I am in love with. There are tutorials here and there is a fabulous blog by a machine quilter I can't remember- 365 free motion patterns, or something like that. Good luck!

I highly recommend Harriet Hargrave's book "Heirloom Machine Quilting" Here is a link for it on Amazon, I doubt JoAnn's would have it but you never know. I got mine used and it was like brand new.
http://www.amazon.com/Heirloom-Machi.../dp/1571202366

Diane Gaudynski's "Guide to Machine Quilting" is also very good.

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Machine-...ref=pd_sim_b_3

I put learn to quilt in my AOL search field. I got lots of good websites. This one looks real good:
http://quilting.about.com/od/stepbys...ke_a_quilt.htm

PS Here is a link to Leah's site:

http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

I would check youtube to see if there were any tutorials on it! They've got all kinds of neat stuff there! :-D :-D

Thanks everyone. The people on this board are so nice and helpful. You all are awesome!! I guess I will start with the walking foot and try to stitch in the ditch and when I get braver, free motion.

I second these choices Harriet Hargrave and Diane Gaudynski, I have both books and love them. Harriets book is known as the machine quilting bible. What really helps is they both use domestic sewing machines, so does Leah Day.

I just went to Amazon and ordered Harriet Hargrave's book. It looks like it will be perfect. Thanks for the tip!

thanks for the link