This is almost exactly how I do mine. I have never been very good with math and it seems quilting has really helped my math skills! I cannot read patterns in books or magazines either. I was really spoiled and made some sampler quilts from quilter's cache because I LOVE her speed piecing directions for stuff. But she writes her patterns in a way that a 2nd grader would understand so there is no confusion. Patterns in magazines and books aren't written that way.

I also find that physically righting it down in a notebook helps me process it better than just reading it. If it's a quilt that's super special, like my husbands sampler for our anniversary, I get out my ruler and colored pencils and map out the blocks to go with the directions.

I'm making my first patterns out of a McCalls quilting and only after several rewrites was I able to understand. I made a sample and HATED it. So I looked at what steps went wrong for me and I rewrote them in a way that made more sense. I've made 4 more since and really loved them.

The biggest advice I would have for anyone dealing with patterns for the first time is to be careful with borders. Cutting and piecing has to be perfect for the length to wind up. I don't cut the length of any borders until the center or top is complete and then I measure what mine actually is. I don't have ruffles in my borders anymore now because they are true length, not what the pattern requires.

I'll help you in any way I can.

Melissa

We all have different styles of learning. I have to read since verbal instructions last in my head as long as it takes to say them. My mind wanders. Pictures als help me. You just have to figure your style.

The one thing that works for me is reading it like I do a knitting pattern. If I read ahead or go ahead in the directions I get very confused. I read and do one step at a time and I stay less confused. There are times when I have to cut a piece that I could have done earlier, but it begins to make sense after I go through it very meticulously the first time. Good luck finding what works best for you.

Jana

When I start with the instructions, I follow one sentence at a time. If I try to understand it all, it is very confusing. I also make a copy and re-write on the instructions the color and fabric that I am using.
Just don't get ahead of yourself.

i take a piece of paper and tape clips of the material i am using and put theres written next to it. that way if they say dotted pink and i am using green i just have to look at my cheat cheat paper. that makes it easier for me.

Hi, Jackie. I, too, have trouble understanding directions. Perhaps this will help: cut a snippet of every fabric you plan to use. Glue this snippet onto the pattern directions everywhere that fabric will be used. This will keep you from getting confused while reading the directions. Hope this helps. (When I teach beginning quilting, I have the students glue their fabric choices on the pattern drawings. It really helps them from miscutting their fabrics.)

Sometimes when I am working on a new pattern and don't quite "get it", I sit down and read the pattern outloud. Somestimes hearing the spoken word is easier to understand than the written version.

Be sure and make a little chart with a piece of each fabric you are going to use and where it will be used. Really helps.

I am so glad to have read this. I'm working on my fourth quilt, all baby quilts. The directions said to take the fabric and fold it lengthwise and cut it crossways, or something like that. I cut the material the way I understood it and sewed the two pieces together for the backing. When I laid it out, it was too short. I was so frustrated because I couldn't figure out what I had done. Now I'll have to piece the backing together.

I'll use these suggestions in the future. I thought it was just my math "inability" and it makes me feel good that other people have problems too.

I have the same problem....reading the pattern. So, if I see something I like, I just 'invent' my own method. I don't copy, but I get inspiration from seeing other's quilts. So, I am an 'out of the box' quilter. Just finished a charity quilt to be raffled off. Phew! I had a few problems on sizes, but managed to get it done right. If I ha