Just curious how many of you took a quilting class when you first started?

I did.

Our local college ran a beginners class. It was great having someone right there when things went wrong, or to answer any questions.

What I've found since is that techniques can be very personal, and the way one person does things is not necessarily the best way. And the style preference has a great impact too. The teacher was very into "cheats" and shortcuts and super-quick quilts, whereas I've discovered I like the more intricate and involved quilts, I have the patience and enthusiasm to put a lot more time into mine.

I did. Took it though my adult ed in the local high school. Had a great teacher.

I signed up for a sampler class in '89. After I paid, the lady said: Now remember to bring your stash. To which I replied: What stash?

Had apparently missed the big fat "SCRAP" in the description of my sampler class - lol.

Did not own a scrap at that time. About $150 later, I was ready for my class - ggggg. NOW, I could get buried under my stash.

I still take classes now and then, but with You-Tube, books, and forums, it is tempting to just try things at home.

No Class - just searched internet & bought a LOT of quilting books.

Piedmont Quilter

I didn't take a class either, just a couple of friends that encouraged and guided me.

I didn't take a class when I first started making quilts, but I sure did record all the quilt shows I could find and watched them over and over and over...

And then I had the help of a couple of good friends and we all take classes when we can. It seems like there is always a new technique to learn!

Not me, would like to but there's no quilt store within 100 miles.

No classes here.. had been sewing for half of forever and happened to pop into a fabric shop got intrigued, decided I could do that, bought some fabric, could find no pattern to "fit" it, so I went home, drafted a pattern, cut out the pieces and made a queen sized quilt top...hey, why let fear, common sense and ignorance stand in your way..........right?

LOL

And maybe that is the best way to start! :-)

If you're not aware of the rules you can push the boundaries and come up with whole new concepts.

We lived in Germany when I started, but I took some classes when we got back to the US a couple years later.

I did after a few fustrating attempts.....a beginers class is great helps with many many pointers....:-)

I took a class in quilting the same day my daughter took a class to learn to sew. She made a dress and I made an apron and pot holders.

I signed up for a free community quilting class and the second class the teacher never showed up. I found myself showing the class what I did to finish the block and I finished teaching the class for the whole year not really knowing what I was doing. I'm still teaching the free quilt class and it's been four years now.

No, I thought because I knew how to sew, I would automatically know how to quilt too. uhhhhh, WRONG! Guess that is why that first project took me ten+ years to finish! Every time I screwed up I would throw it back in the closet where it would languish for months or years at a time!

That is a funny story BellaBoo! What is that yummy looking dish in your Avatar? Have you shared the recipe?? :D :D

I started quilting in 1981 with classes and I am still taking classes in fact I'm
taking 2 this month one on the double wedding ring quilt as you go and one on a pattern called lucky seven these will be my 3rd classes this year I
love learning new techneques and taking classes are lots of fun so I do encourage them even if only one a year always something new to learn
happy quilting Dodie

It's a quiche and my hubby likes it! We have it for dinner quiet often. I'll post the recipe.

Lots of shops offer classes here in Phx. but they are too expensive for me.
I learned from videos on the web and El Burns was the best teacher.
Also her books are the best. Never a failure with her instructions.
Would like to take a class just to meet fellow quilters but havnt so far.

My sister in law got me hooked 19 years ago. First quilt I did was Trip around the world by E.B.. So I guess it was learning experience. Self taught. Still learning as I keep quilting.

I did not take a class when I first started quilting. But, I joined a small group (10 ladies) of quilters who were eager to teach me. I have taken classes since then, but just for technique--like hand quilting, invisible machine applique, kaleidoscope blocks, etc.

MY first quilt was also a trip around the world using Eleanor Burns' book. Country blue and pink fabric that I no longer like. The top is done, but not sandwiched or quilted, since it no longer matches my "decor". Maybe I should practice machine quilting on it. Haven't things changed in these last 20 years??

I wonder how many 'first' quilts were made using trip around the world, thanks to Eleanor!!!!

I did, but I won it, or rather my mom won it! The strip mall where the LQS is located had a christmas open house and she won $1000 shopping spree! woo hoo! She received gift certs. from about 28 stores. One of the many she gave me was a $45 quilting class, because I was 'crafty'.

I hadn't sewed in years and it was a struggle, but the quilt is finished. I tell DH that 'free' class has cost a lot of money over the last 5 years. LOL

I did learn a lot, because when I hear/read someone say they didn't know that technique, I do!

I took one in 1992 (I think) and hated it! My instructor didn't give any guide lines! She kept saying "it's your quilt do what you like". Well I did not know what I liked. Everyone would meet after class at a local fabric store and grumble. We were so confused! I look back on my sampler quilt and am glad I had that experience because it helps me to know how to teach others to quilt. I needed to be told NOT to mix poly/cotton with cotton. I like having guide lines, and knowing what will happen if I step outside tose recommendations. That's me, though.

I later took another quilt class at a local quilt shop with our daughter and fell in love with quilting. I have loved it ever since. To date I have given 70 something quilts away and I had taken a break for a couple of years due to health and am back at it again.

I think a class is so important because you can learn tons from everyone who is learning at the same time.If you take a class and hate quilting there is hope I am proof of that!

I hope this helps you out!

I started with a "class" that meets each month and does a different block each month for a quilt/year in 2006. Still going, although there is really not much in the way of teaching, mainly do the block there and have assistance if you need a question answered. In 2008 gave my stepdaughter a class for her birthday and attended with her. Other than that, pretty much self-taught by looking on internet and through these wonderful message boards with you wonderful people.

Classes help people like me get moving on something.
I tend to gather all the supplies, books, tools, and keep gathering all the books, tools, and fabric ...
In order to bust me out of the hunting gathering phase of my obsession, I had to take classes to make myself actually accomplish something with everything I owned - - or at least a portion of it.
More than ten years ago, I made myself jump in and actually produce a quilt by joining a list, much like this one and committing to working on a mystery quilt (even that took me two years to complete).
A local class allowed me to meet local quilters and form a workgroup for my chosen charity ... and, that has helped me understand what I really like about quilting - - colors, angles, and practicality ... much more important than spending money <g> but, not by much!
Before I ever did any of that, I watched a lot of Elenor Burns on television, and Simply QUilts, Carol Duvall ... and, if they sewed it, I watched it.
Not everyone needs as much encouragement and input as I did ... there is no right or wrong way to learn ... but, there sure are a lot of aids to help us get there.

there is a growing trend to quilt in Germany (as in other coutries). Have you checked out www.quiltinggallery.com ALL THOSE BLOGGERS.

I started with a class at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa, CA. They were great and spent a lot of time with each of us. Now that I am unemployed, I think I might take another one here in Illinois.

OK here's my 2 cents. I took a quilt class when I first started, I learned so much about quilting in those 4 hours all of which I still use quite frequently.
I also got out of the house and made new friends. I highly recommend a class if your just starting out.

No class. My sister and I started quilting together. We each bought a book and worked together. I got hooked and she didn't like it. She has now offered me the fabric she got for two of her grandkids quilts if I will make them. Ok with me. Tee Hee.

I am self taught. I couldn't afford material let alone a quilt class. I did order a couple of books. I used old clothes and cut out templates from cardboard. I drew each and every square or triangle on the fabric and cut each out with scissors. Very tedious. My oldest -my daughter was 5 she will be 34 this Oct.

I took a class offered close to home and I didn't get much out of it. I got the directions for a few quilt blocks I didn't have but all she had us do was cut out the fabric with her templates and take it home and sew it . I went home and used my cut down method instead of her templates and I never did put the blocks into a quilt. It was a sampler and I was mostly interested in getting the picture of the blocks so I could do them my way anyway.

I don't have the time for a full size quilt.

I took my first class when I started in 1983. It was a Queen Size Sampler class all hand pieced and hand quilted. I was hooked and I am still a hand quilter, although would love to take a class for machine quilting. I am always up for a class to learn a new technique.

My grandma taught me to hand piece four patches when I was in 4th grade. She taught me on scraps from old aprons and "house dresses". Things happened and I never got that quilt finished (but she did several years later). Then in my very early twenties my MIL at the time and I joined her mother in "quilting club". It was a bunch of old ladies mostly in their 60's and up. They hand quilted and thought that machines were okay for "quick bedding" if you were in need, but real quilts were hand done. Like one of the previous posts we cut templates from cardboard or plastic butter lids and each piece was hand traced and cut with scissors, then hand sewn together. They were very critical of my work at first, but decided that I came along rather well for my age. Once a month we would meet at someone's house and quilt on that person's current project and have a pot luck dinner. I did that for a couple of years and then life got in the way again and I didn't get back to quilting until I found out I was going to be a grandma a few years ago. I was amazed and still am at how easy quilting is now with all the tools and gadgets. I wonder if those old ladies are rolling over in their graves knowing I rotary cut and piece and quilt by machine or if they are saying you go girl. Sometimes I almost feel guilty for all the gadgets and fabric I have when I think about my old quiltig club days. But I sure do enjoy all my goodies and stash. :)

It is a very different world now.
Sewing was a neccessity, now it is a hobby and expensive at that.
Fabric and supplies cost more than to buy ready made.
Before I began quilting I bought my quilts for 39 dollars and that incuded the shams. You can still buy them for that amount and they are not bad.
The quilting isnt as good as a long arm quilter does but the piecing is good.
So now we quilt because we love it. People dont apprieciate the work that goes into a quilt either. But quilting keeps me happy.

I just began quilting in Sept of 2008. I had wanted to try it for years but everytime I surfed around looking for information on it....I just became overwhelmed.......and didn't know where to start.
Finally found a quilting class at a local quilt shop in Sept and took a beginner class based on Eleanor Burns book "It's Elementary".
Loved the class and am now addicted to quilting!!
I also signed up for a class on Paper Piecing starting next month. None of my friends quilt so I like to take classed just to meet new people who love quilting.

Nope, I've never had a quilting class. I'll be taking my first quilt class when I go on my first quilting retreat in June. I'm looking forward to it.

Classes are like candy. New ideas, new fabrics, new friends, new techniques. You can't have enough - classes or candy.

Bella, that is such a funny story. You are now known as "Fearless Bella" what a woman :!:
I guess I am self taught, there wasn't quilt classes around when I started and they are kinda out of my price range now. But now you have the internet and can look up soooo much and there are even vidio tutorials. That helps me, I am a gotta see person more than a reading about it. I think if the price is reasonable for you and you luck out and get a good teacher (that shows up :wink: ) you can learn a lot. But I feel quilting is a personal thing. You have to find out what type you are. Hurry up and get it done? Do you enjoy the prep work more than putting it together? Do you like taking your time? Do you like paper piecing? (more structured)Do you prefer applique? There are so many things to consider when starting and until you try several things you don't know if that is what you like. Maybe if classes aren't an option you could look for a mentor that might help you find your calling :D

My first quilt was a huge Trip Around the World with directions out of a magazine. It was cut with scissors and took months. My second was a class - Log cabin in a day, with strips ripped. After that, rotary cutters came out, and I took my dinosaur to a strip piecing class to learn all the new techniques.

I like learning new techniques and experimenting with new stuff. I would not be interested in a class just to make the exact same thing as everyone else. Like so many have already said, there is so much free information now

Most of the classes I've seen lately are geared towards selling pricey doo-dads. In order to attend, you have major investments in specialty tools. The days of using a single ruler as a multi-purpose tool are gone.

I've taken one class- the hunter's star. Felt like an outsider by others attending but very welcome by the instructor. She hasn't had any classes that I can attend so haven't been back for a class, but frequent trips for fabric purchases are always learning experiences as she answers questions on anything I need help with. I spend lots of $$$ there, but she's worth it!