I will be teaching a beginning quilting class soon and I was wondering what quilt pattern you would suggest for new quilters.

I have been quilting 12 years and have some ideas for beginners, but I was wondering what ideas other quilters might have.

The class will be six weeks, meeting once a week, and cover all aspects of quilting, from fabric selection through binding and labels.

Thanks for your ideas!

Here is a link to some great beginner quilt patterns.

http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/Qu...ltPatterns.htm

You will also find some in the search function on this site. I love that you are doing this and I hope you have so much fun!

I don't have anything to suggest as I'm a beginning quilter myself - I just wanted to say I wish I could take your class! :)

I vote for raggedy. Second one rail fence.

Great link! Thanks!!

My mom taught me with a Quilt in a Day Log Cabin book. I made a lap size quilt. I found it to be pretty easy to learn.

A nine patch is a great beginners quilt. They go together easy and look so pretty when they are done.

I'm a retired teacher. The sewing teacher at the high school I taught used the 9 patch. I taught quilting for a while at a local Sew n' Vach shop & used the "More Quilts for Baby" by Ursela Reikes book. I would have each student pick a pattern to make either a baby quilt of lap throw.

The French Braid is a very simple pattern that will yield wonderful results. Maybe start with a simple table runner in this pattern.

I would suggest rail fence or a nine patch. Let us know what you decide.

My first class as a beginner was a sampler quilt. We learned so many techniques!! I will always be grateful for my introduction into this wonderful art form!!

My first basics class was stars and 9 patches. Teacher wanted to cover triangles. Man I learned a lot in that class but a lot did not sink in until later as I kept at it. I still hear her voice on some things in my head.

I'm self taught & think a sampler of all different styles will be more beneficial to beginners. I learned a lot on my very early Star Sampler--a lot of what not to do!

Instead of a complete quilt of sample blocks though, I would turn each one or a few into something like tablerunners, placemats, pillows, totes, potholders, etc. That way they won't get burned out waiting for an entire quilt to be finished and will end up with a bunch of little finished projects. I'm more stubborn than most & wanted a quilt by gosh so some may still choose to save all the blocks for a quilt.

I guess that would depend on how well you students know how to use their machines.

If they don't feel comfortable with it, I'd suggest something very basic like 5" charms sewn together. They'll learn how to cut them correctly, 1/4" seam, pressing, joining the blocks, etc. etc.

Good luck!

I think that a log cabin would be wonderful. Each person could choose their arrangement of blocks, and although everyone made the same blocks, each quilt would be unique! Do let us know what you decide to do. Disappearing 9 patch would be fun, too.

Mine was the Log Cabin. I didnt have to worry about lining up the blocks as I did with the 9 patch that I did later.

What about a 4P to 9P or a disappearing 9P? Show them right from the start not everything is as it appears. :D

My first class was the "Yellow Brick Road Pattern". I didn't find it difficult.
Donna

I did a sampler quilt in my beginners class. We started with a four patch, a 9 patch, friendship star, some applique, a moon over the mountains which was a hand pieced curve, and a house block in which you soon found out if you were sewing a proper 1/4 inch seam, and some flying geese.
It was great fun and gave me confidence to give almost anything a go.
This was my first quilt.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-25964-1.htm

I agree with log cabin, because most of the seams are t-shaped which is easier. Also... the students can be creative in how they arrange the finished blocks, too, which adds more fun.

My teacher taught us the Irish Chain.

[quote=AudreyB]I will be teaching a beginning quilting class soon and I was wondering what quilt pattern you would suggest for new quilters.

I have been quilting 12 years and have some ideas for beginners, but I was wondering what ideas other quilters might have.

The class will be six weeks, meeting once a week, and cover all aspects of quilting, from fabric selection through binding and labels.

Thanks for your help.

I never took a quilting class, but I, through my mother, showed me that if I made a few sampler quilts I could do anything. Practice on a sampler block and make one for a quilt. Then you have something to look back on and decide if you would like to make a quilt of the same blocks.

I have done this several times and have found a lot of patterns to make full quilts from. But, I still love the sampler quilts. I love the names of them, the design of them and sometimes if I can find it, the history of them, and I always go to quilterscache.com and I can get the size I want, the design/designs I want and I am set to go. I will always remember my very first pattern - Antique Tile - 12" block. 2x2 blocks, 2x4 blocks and a 4x4 block. It has to be the easiest. Mine was 5 across, 7 down, 12" blocks, 2" sashing, 4" border. It is and probably will always be my favorite. It took me over a year to make it because it is my Memory Quilt and sometimes I had to buy fat quarters just to get one little fussy cut out of one. I also think a Memory Quilt is the best to start on also. I traded fabric with my sisters, mother, and friends to get what I needed.

Just a thought, but you don't want anyone getting bored either or too frustrated at making a quilt. Points are an absolute no-no for the beginner. I still have to walk away from the machine and take the dog for a walk.

Good luck to you. I am sure you will be a wonderful teacher.

Edie

I taught my dgd on a turning twenty pattern. I turned out well.

I took a beginning quilting class at my local LQS. The text was Piecing the Piece of Cake Way and the pattern we used from the book was the lightening 4 patch.

I am getting ready to take a beginners class next month, but that will be the first I've ever taken.

The first quilt I did was a 9 patch. I wish I had known about the D9P, I would have done it, its just one more cut, and one more seam.

A sampler is also good, as you get to experience different blocks.

My '101 Beginner Quilt class' was a sampler quilt. I learned so, so much. Not all the blocks were done in the class, some were 'homework'. By doing some of my blocks at home it gave me confidence that I could do this on my own.

IMHO learning to quilt is not just learning to do the 'simple' patterns, it is learning that there is a lot to quilting. So if a teacher can 'squeeze' as many techniques into 101 classes, they will have confident quilters.

good luck on your class!

I would suggest a Potato Chip Quilt--You can't make just one--also called "Two Step".

My beginners quilting class made a "Flower Power"? quilt. Each square had an appliqued flower and appliqued centers. I am not the least be intimidated when a pattern calls for an applique. Got that out of the way first thing.

I think the Rail Fence is one of the easiest quilts to make. It'd make a good starter.

My first quilt was a nine-patch and rail set on point. I learned SO MUCH from just that one quilt. I especially liked it because it looked like a real quilt rather than something so simple I could make it without any instruction. By that I mean that a quilt made just from row upon row of 6-inch blocks is so simple a child could figure it out. When I finished this quilt, I had something I was really proud of. It was simple enough for a beginner to do a good job and have a nice quilt, but not so simple that it looked simple.

If you would like, I'd be happy to send you the instrucitons via email or snail mail. Credit to my quilt teacher Lorraine G. from the local community college.

My LQS (Happiness is Quilting in Mckinney TX)has a beginning class and the piece they were using is a pattern you can buy that had strips alternating with rows like flying geese, nine patch and other things. Go their website: happinessisquilting.com and they may have a sample in the class section. Good luck

I would suggest nine patch or log cabin, easy patterns and no true layout pattern, just put them the way you like.

Our beginner class was a Rail Fence, and it does teach some good basics, but is also forgiving when you put it together. Turning Twenty, Yellow Brick Road, and D9P are also great suggestions.

Darren

Hello Audrey, No advice just comment, My mothe who just passed from cancer in March was also named Audrey and when I saw your name on the board It just brightened my day! She was the youngest of 6 children and the secound to pass away. My Aunt who was like my secound mother passed away first her name was Ethel. You have the best name ever and I am so grateful for you to be on the board. Have a wonderful Day! Ms. Shawn :mrgreen: :-o :thumbup: :XD: :wink: :lol:

I LOVE your quilt! It looks line a 9-patch and a rail fence. I think I could figure it out, but if you are willing to send the pattern it would save me some brain cells and some time.

I sent you a PM (I think) with my email address. I'm not too familiar with this site yet, so if you don't get my PM please let me know.

Thanks!!!!!

I LOVE your quilt! It looks line a 9-patch and a rail fence. I think I could figure it out, but if you are willing to send the pattern it would save me some brain cells and some time.

I sent you a PM (I think) with my email address. I'm not too familiar with this site yet, so if you don't get my PM please let me know.

Thanks!!!!!

Sorry to hear about your mom. I've always enjoyed my name and have met very few other Audrey's. I'm glad I could brighten your day. You brightened mine, too.

Yellow Brick Road, Turrning Twenty, Nine Patch, Log Cabin.

Rail fence is a good starter. They get to pick fabric, learn how to rotary cut and use a design wall. And, of course, it's fun.

I wish I lived in Wichita Falls, TX!!!! Would love to take your class. Sounds like the new folks will have a great teacher. Good luck with it.