Remember it doesnt have to be perfect, you should enjoy the process. When it is finished it will look fine. It is handmade, it isnt supposed to be perfect. I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to be perfect and everything is practice, practice, practice like riding a bike, or learning to do something new. Give it a go and you might enjoy the hand piecing class. good luck and enjoy

I would suggest checking out various tutorials on triangles, and then do a placemat or table topper. After you get going, it becomes easier...and who will see your problem areas when there is a plate on top of it? Who knows you may even like it so much that project will see easier.

Don't be so hard on yourself, first.

Don't look at the project as a whole unit, look at one section at a time and just begin. There is such joy in accomplishing even a small part and seeing that it goes together.

Be positive with yourself. You'll be able to figure it out or come here and get all the help you need.

ENJOY it, don't dread it.

I'd put it away until I felt I had enough experience to do it. When I first started doing half square triangles I always made them about 1/2" bigger than they were suppose to be. That way I could trim them up and make them the right size. Even then I had some that would not trim up.
Now I just use my GO cutter. It cuts them perfectly, and they go together perfectly, and it puts me in a real good mood!

Cheaper in the long run than Thangles, is a CD where you can print off whatever size sheet you need for triangles. Can't find it this minute as it moves between the computer and my sewing room but I got it at the LQS.
Just found the name in another conversation; Triangulations.

My sister designed and markets a product called "Stitching Lines" for making half-square triangles. I love them and priced nicely. You can find them at http://marinandcolusa.com/
Laura

Lots of great suggestions here. I'd just like to add that you might like to do a sampler quilt. There are tutorials and CDs available for help and demonstrations. Come back to this quilt when you have had some more experience with quilting. ALSO, check for quilt guilds in your are. Our guild has some wonderful people and activities. Wish you lived closer. We could play together.

I only work on projects that I like. I think you have to feel an emotional connection to your project just as if you were painting or weaving or whatever. I look at books and magazine, surf the web and this Board when I feel like I need to be inspired. This works for beginners as well as professionals.

If you totally avoid triangles, you're avoiding 3/4 of the patterns out there, and the most beautiful things about quilting in general. With the "speed piecing" technique, there is no bias to deal with - you just sew on a line! How hard can that be??? Open your mind; surpass your fears - and you will become a better quilter (this written from a quilter who fears quarter-square triangles. lol)

I think it might be a good idea for you to pick your own projects and classes instead of making the quilt shop choose for you.