Also look up Eleanor burns she has some video's that are really simple basic.

I already knew how to sew, as I made clothes in the distant past. I learned to quilt by watching youtube videos. I also joined an online group that was great to help me (https://www.houzz.com/discussions/qu...br0-bd~t_29998). It's a small group, they are very experienced quilters, and enjoy sharing. My local quilt shop was helpful, too. The "other" local quilt shop was really aggressive in selling their classes, to the point I refused to attend a class. So, youtube, here I came.

My goal was to make a quilt - one quilt. It was on my bucket list. I did, plus a few more. It's a great hobby/craft.

bkay

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions! i will look into them, and hopefully will figure out the basics so I can attend a retreat next summer on my time off from work.

Where do you live? Maybe to start you need a quilting buddy. A friend of mine and I get together and do our own "retreat" so we are not distracted by family and friends. We do the on-line videos if we need help. One we really needed was the "Twister" quilt - I don't know how many times we watched the MSQC video.

Look for a local Guild and attend to see what they do. Do they have some quilt buddies to help new quilters. We just finished an at home retreat yesterday where we had a new quilter and several of the gals gave her ideas and suggestions as she started her quilt. She had a great time, learned a lot, got a lot done and the members loved doing it.

My suggestion is not to start your venture into quilting by going to a retreat. The people that go to retreats are there to enjoy working on their projects. They do not go to teach someone how to quilt. This is there “My Time”. Start by going to a Quilting 101 class at your local quilt shop. After learning the basics, take classes when you can to learn new techniques. (You do not have to make an entire quilt that you do not like, but go to learn the technique). Find a local guild and join it. Do not be discouraged because you do not know anyone. Volunteering at the guild will introduce you to a lot of quilters. Join one of their “Bee’s”. After you have some experience on how to cut fabric, sew a 1/4” seam, and read a pattern, you can consider going to a retreat and enjoy your time with other quilters.

Have you considered Bluprint? They have a lot of classes for all levels and several projects to get you started. Amy Gibson has a Learn to Quilt Series that’s great for beginners. I recommend the subscription if you think you’ll enjoy the sewing and quilting classes. It comes with 12 free classes (of your choosing) that you can keep. You can watch the them via computer, mobile, app or Roku.

Since you didn't indicate what part of the country you live in, i can't be more specific than this. Plug in "adult camps quilting" and lots of options come up. You just missed one at Missouri Star in Hamilton, there is a wonderful program coming up at the Adirondack Quilt camp in two weeks that includes beginners instruction.

Agree with Ellen 1, check out a local quilt shop. One near me has a lot of classes on a variety of topics and they have a big "work room" where everyone can bring their own sewing machines to the classes. They also have times for "general sewing" so you can come work on your quilt with others.

as a beginner, I'd suggest you contact local quilt guilds to find out if they have beginner classes. Like someone said, even if you would not be making modern quilts, you'd be getting the techniques to do the quilts you want. Our guild teachers rotary cutting, strips sets, half square triangles, flying geese (stitch and flip technique), sewing a curved seam, sashing, borders, Domestic machine (regular sewing machine) quilting and binding. With those techniques you can make almost any quilt other than paper piecing or applique. I'd suggest you also 'google' Modern Quilt Guild for listing of any of their affiliates in your area.