New to quilting...
 

I'm a relative new sewer... i've been teaching myself a long with a close friend who has sewn all her life. I mainly been trying to sew doll clothes, but lately ive been sewing up little covers for my Kindle, and covers/blankets to wrap the dolls in to protect them if i take them somewhere. (can you tell i collect dolls?) I recently "adopted" a Willcox & Gibbs Chain stitch treadle machine and have fallen in love with antique/vintage machines. I'm currently trying to repair my moms Singer Touch & Sew 758 and tomorrow im off to look at a Featherweight for my birthday!

So to get to the point, i have recently considered trying to learn to quilt. I'm not sure i have the patience to sew a huge quilt, person sized... but it might be fun to quilt smaller things, like place mats, drink coasters and doll sized quilts... something i can do with the scraps left over from other projects. (id love to use my 116 year old chain stitch for some free hand embroidery on them as well!)

The problem is... i have no idea how to quilt! where does one begin? any pointers? advice is welcomed! thanks in advance!

I started by making pot holders. They were quick - 9" each, I got to try different patterns and color combinations, and it taught me all the basics steps in quilting ... piecing blocks, making the quilt sandwich, quilting it, and binding it. If I screwed one (or a few) up, I didn't waste much in time or material. Everyone at work got pot-holders for Christmas that year :)

You can get free block patterns on www.quilterscache.com and choose any pattern ... 9" is a great size for a pot holder.

Yep. I too started with pot holders. I gained a lot of skill making those and learned a lot from all of my mistakes. I also did the meandering FMQ to practice that skill. Everyone seems to like their potholders I gave them. :-)

I took a class that taught me the basics of quilting. I have never regretted it. And I promise you, if I can quilt, anyone can!!

I have little patience, but quilting divides itself into parts, and I have enough patience for each. Eventually I have a quilt...I divide the quilt process into 1)pattern selection 2) fabric selection 3) cutting out fabric 4) sewing top 5) sewing backing 5) sandwiching 6) quilting 7) binding 8) enjoying. Seems to work for me. Warning, quilting is addictive!

Dina

If you love dolls, begin with doll quilts--begin with a whole cloth (a piece of fabric of the size you want) top, quilt and bind. If that works for you, go on to beginners' patterns like nine-patch. Etc.

Welcome from WI. If you are able to take a beginner class, it would really help. That's what I did 13 years ago and it was the best thing for me to do and I was instantly hooked.

Have you gone into any quilt shops? You can get lots of ideas, advise, and maybe sign up for a class. You can teach yourself, but it is easier to have someone show you, and how to use supplies correctly. You could possibly try out the supplies in class...make sure that quilting really is for you. A beginners class probably will have a simple project that takes you through all the steps of making a quilt. Have fun!

if you are going to start with potholders, don't forget to use a heat resistant "cloth" in your sandwich. a name brand for this is called "insulbright" - i think that is how it is spelled.

Start small and work your way up to larger items, you will get the hang of it very quick.

Quilt magazines are a good start too.....be forewarned....quilting is extraordinarily addictive:)

One year ago this month, I took a beginners quilting class at our local quilt shop. Never really thought I'd like quilting because of the math + it all seemed like a puzzle to me.

NOW, I'm hooked. I agree with everyone else, start simple and small. My first project was a wall hanging, then a baby quilt.. then I jumped to a queen size quilt. The more you do, the more confidence you'll gain.

It's all good!
And, it's all fun!!

When I started, I googled "Instructions for hand (machine which ever applies to you) quilting". There are several good web sites with videos. Just go slowly and enjoy the process!

Thanks for all the advice. In my town there is only Joanne's but I do believe there is a quilting store. I looked it up the other day to see about folks who fix machines. Most classes are geared towards retired folks and are at odd hours I can't attend due to work. I'd like to look up basic sewing classes as well. As I'm sure there's a lot of basics I don't know about yet. :)

I will try a potholder though. That sounds useful! Make mom some. :)

I'm a new quilter (only been quilting about a year), I second the youtube videos by Jenny Doan at the Missouri Star Quilt Company. Those are great and have been a great inspiration to me. I started out with potholders and moved to wallhangings. My first quilt was all half square triangles. So easy and old fashioned looking. Have fun with your quilting projects, the possibilities are endless.

I agree that taking a class is a really good way to 'see' what quilting is all about. But, there are other ways, too. There are lots of books that you could find to help you or spots on U-tube, etc. There are tutorials here on the QB site. You could look around your area for a quilt guild that accepts newby members. I've even seen quilting buddies here on QB where someone ask for help and another member kind of adopts them for helping with questions, etc. So, there are so many ways to get started.

My sister-in-law said she'd never quilt because she thought it would be too much repitition... making many blocks that look the same. But, now she's quilting like crazy. She got bit by the quilting bug (I think I had something to do with that) and there's no turning back. She's done some beautiful quilts.

So, look around and jump in..... there's always someone here on QB that will help you out if you need advice.

Nanna

Welcome to the board and to the Joy of Quilting! You will find it very relaxing and enjoyable. Have fun with it. You've got some good advice already.

Also use your library as a resource tool. Books can show you how to use rotary cutting tools and show you the steps to creating a finished quilt. Also research batting types online, as different ones work better for different purposes.

Well, asking questions on this site is a great place to start! If you have questions or need help there's lots of folks here willing to answer! :)

I would say in addition to asking here and reading threads, if you have a half priced books or other used book store near you pick up some beginner quilting books for information and inspiration. Fon's and Porter's Complete Guide to Quiltmaking is a great book to own and covers just about everything you'd want to know as a beginner. Really some of the quilting magazines have the basics of "how to quilt" right there in the midsection of the magazine. Plus you get free patterns! :) Check out sites like allpeoplequilt.com, Bonnie Hunter's site quiltville.com, and quilterscache.com for free block patterns and basic information. For free. :)

What type of learner are you?

If you do well with others then definitely take a class! If you are a solitary learner then your options include: videos online, books from your LQS, and your local library [there is interlibrary loan if needed], and help from friends who quilt well.

If you feel better doing small pieces to start with then do it that way. If you find a pattern and fabric you absolutely love then do that. Whatever you do pick something you really like.

ali

Congratulations on wanting to learn to quilt.
I teach sewing to 9 year olds to adult. Our first project on the machine is a potholder. One side is 4 rows of 4 squares 2-1/2" square. The other side is 2 rows of 2 squares 4-1/2" square. The purpose is to practice 1/4" seams. When all seams are 1/4", the two pieces will end up the same size. You could practice free motion quilting or stitch in the ditch on it, too. Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice. I will look into all these things! I need a three day weekend to tackle something. Hahaha! :)

Learned on my own years ago...and I researched questions I had to get answers on from books at the library (which there were few then). Today, with YouTube, all the various sources on the internet, and most importantly, all the wonderful folks on this board, you can easily learn on your own. Take a class if you want to get the basics quickly, use the 'search' on this board as chances are the answers are already here, and check out the Missouri Star Quilt Co. and Bonnie Hunters site, Quiltville, as those are a wealth of information. Most importantly, have FUN!

Please show us your finished potholders. We would LOVE to see them!

Like others have mentioned, start with a small project. You will get quick satisfaction which will inspire you on to other projects. I highly recommend a beginning quilt class so that you can start out with the right tools to develop your skills, and be around others you can learn from. Good luck in your journey!

Well last night I went to a friends and she showed me how to do some paper piecing. I got one block done (comprised of 4 small blocks. Is that the right terminology?) it was fun. Going to go back next week probably but need to make time in my schedule to cut the fabric so I can get back to sewing under her instruction. I thought shed start me on something small. She's throwing me into the deep end. Haha! I think it will be a lap quilt. I'm also collecting scraps to make a crumb quilt. :) should be fun.