wanna be quilter
 

I am new at this.....want to learn how to quilt. Any suggestions on where to start?

Have you bought any books yet. What about a sewing machine and tool?

Check with a local quilt shop, craft store, and/or fabric store - they often have classes for all levels of quilters. Find out if there is a local quilt guild or groups that quilt (meet at churches, senior centers, etc.) Sit in a few times to see what the different groups do - hand quilt, make charity quilts, etc. LISTEN TO EVERYONE! They all have wonderful stories, tips, and different ways of doing things. Remember what ever works best for you is what you should do. I have been with a hand quilting group for about 5 years. I love the process but am slow in getting things finished. Don't be intimidated by people who produce quilt tops rapidly, they have probably been doing this for years & years.

Craftsy.com has awesome classes, even a few free beginner classes. They are as good as the real thing to me and you have them forever to watch when you want. I would just get the basic supplies, mat rotary cutter, scissors seam ripper, and good beginner machine and just dive in with a simple pattern. The new BOM on craftsy is done by hand sewing if you do not have a machine yet

like rhilkey said, a class is what help me get started. Something like piecing 101 where they give you the basics for precise cutting, 1/4 inch stitching, and "quilt talk" like quilt tops, backings, borders, binding, shashing and blocks. Once you know the basics then a you would be able to get a book of patterns and go from there. Go for it.!!

I would add to check out youtube - some good tutorials on youtube.





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Some books from your local library are also a good source of info. Even if you don't read them cover to cover, they are great for terminology; inspiration; etc. As well as this site. Tons of great info. Welcome from NJ.

I tend to leap before I look, and I confess that my first quilt attempt frustrated me so much that it was 10 years before I tried it again. Then I saw a you tube video about jelly roll quilts, and they were great first projects and offered fairly immediate gratification.

They are also a good way to practice sewing straight seams at 1/4 inch. Very important for the end results.

I started with PBS and watching Eleanor Burns on Quilt in a Day. You can find her videos on You Tube, I still go out there and watch - she is pretty funny. Start with a simple pattern like log cabin or court house steps. My first quilt was pretty bad but I loved the process and was so proud of my creation. Just remember it takes time and practice but it so much fun to create.

A good instructional book helped me greatly. It has lots of pictures, which helps me because I am visual. Check them out, and there is a section on this board with tutorials that are wonderful.

go to the internet and search YouTube for Missouri Star Quilt company.. they have tons of videos to watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6ddFsZu7yo Check this out.. there are tons of them

I would find out when Eleanor Burns has her Quilt in a Day show. But I would visit your local quilt store and see what it is all about. You of course need a sewing machine and some basic tools. Do any of your friends quilt?? You might ask at your LQS if there are any quilting groups.

You know how you learn best. If hands on is good for you, take a beginner's class at a quilt shop. Other's have given you great tips on YouTube videos & other links. If you can learn from a book, I would recommend Harriet Hargrave's Quilter's academy series. She leads you through the steps with great illustrations & clear instructions.

http://www.amazon.com/Quilters-Acade...ilters+academy

If you do decide to go with this series, I would recommend getting a hardcopy vs. electronic.

Go to your local quilt shop and sign up for a beginning quilting class. You will not regret it. You will get all sorts of help and tips, plus the motivation to complete your project.

Also..start gathering your basics..a cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler,pins, and a good light!!...get on the mailing list for joanne fabrics so you can use the 40% off coupons to use for you basic supplies to start with. Learn where your nearby quilt shops are, and go and lurk, look, feel the fabric, get familiar with the people there..maybe they have a class for you? Look into quilting guilds in your area, too.

I have never taken a class....It is hard to get away for a few hours (I have twins with autism). I wanted to learn so between Missouristarquilt company watching videos and you tube videos I have been teaching myself. I have made a few quilt tops. Nothing as grand as most people here but I figure in time and with practice I will get there.

welcome... you have made a great first step in joining the Quilting Board. There is a lot of helpful information here and friendly people. I purchased Better Homes & Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting along with a rotary cutter and mat. I also found my local quilt shop to be the next best place for helpful support and I enjoyed taking a beginner (Turning Twenty) class for my first project. Have fun!

You may want to go to Missouri Star Quilt Company and watch the tutes that Jenny Doan does, she explains what she is doing and you can learn to make many different types of quilts....

I found Quilting 101 was perfect to start. Several quilts to make plus all the info for each step. Great book

I know alot of quilters say to check out the local quilt shop. I do not disagree. But I have helped many people to start into the craft. Some of us cannot afford to take classes and get all of our supplies at a local quilt shop. I would check out your local library, senior center (there are usually not any age requirements), community center, quilt guild meetings (most welcome visitors and will allow 2 or more visits without joining. These can be done for little or no cost. When you determine that quilting is in your blood get the best tools you can afford. Using 1/2 off coupons at joanns is good or when they have 1/2 off all quilting notions.

You might search here for the posting that asks members something like: what did you buy that was a waste of money? The replies were pages long...many hilarious but also informative. Go slowly, wisely buy just the essentials and maybe find an informed mentor to get you headed in the right direction. If you are a self starter... the internet and this board is just about all you really need.

My advice is to seek out and join a local quilt guild. You will find friends who are willing to help you learn or guide you to local shops etc. This worked for me.

I'm a new quilter - just some placemats and two quilts under my belt so far. I'm a real self-learner so classes and guilds were out for me. I found that I was able to get all I needed just from watching YouTube videos. To get started you need:

sewing machine
cutting board (at least 18" x 24")
rotary cutter
ruler (needs to be a quilting ruler, if you just get one get 6" x 24")
fabric (starting with 100% cotton is easiest)
thread (I like to match my thread to my fabric so I use 100% cotton)
batting (I like cotton but anything will do, I just cut up an old towel for my first pot holder batting)
basting spray (a gentle adhesive)
starch spray (I just use cheap stuff from the grocery store)

I consider starch and basting spray necessities because using starch makes it much easier to sew an accurate 1/4" seam when you are a beginner and nothing is easier than basting spray to hold your quilt sandwich together.

Here's how I started:

Search YouTube for videos on safely using a rotary cutter - you can do a lot of damage with these things. I got the TrueCut ergonomic cutter and the ruler that goes with it. I'm really glad I did because the ruler has a groove the cutter fits in which is safer and more accurate. Also, it really saves my wrists, which I really need.

Search YouTube for videos on squaring up fabric - whether you buy fabric by the yard or precut it is important to be able to cut properly so you don't waste a bunch and so that your pieces true 90 degree angles.

Start real easy - make a potholder. Sew 4 squares together to make a simple block. Make your sandwich with batting and a piece of fabric for backing. Trim the edges so they are even. Quilt some lines on it - however you like is fine, this is just practice. Now - push yourself a little bit - look up YouTube videos on Quilt Binding and just go for it. Don't be too discouraged if it's not perfect - I guarantee it won't be. But you will learn so much from this that you'll want to do more. Next time try a placemat. I did 4 sets of placemats before I moved on to an actual quilt and I'm really glad I did. It helps to get some skills down before you have the challenge of working with a large quilt.

Look at LOTS of pictures of quilts to get an idea what kind of quilter you really want to be. Work towards it and learn the skills you need to get there. Don't try and jump in to something too complicated at first, that can be very discouraging. Quilting is a craft of patience & precision. Allow yourself the time to learn and enjoy the process.

When I started out, YOUTUBE was a BIG help and it still is today for me.

I'm self taught and I started out by watching quilting shows on TV. And I also did a lot of computer searches. Good luck and you will learn fast.

Go to a quilt shop, they are always so encouraging and helpful. I started taking quilting classes at the local high school. I did that for 9 years and learned so much. Everyone learns from each other. I would definitely start with a class, somewhere. At least that way you will get the correct guidance and not be discouraged. Good luck! I've been quilting for 31 years and love every moment of it.

Unless you have someone who can teach you, I would sign up for a class at a local quilt shop, quilt guild, or even sign up for a class on Craftsy. When you take a class on Craftsy you can return to the tutorial time and time again until you have mastered the principles, as well as write in with your questions and read what other quilters have to say as well.

We all have our favorites:) I love Jenny and Missouri Star Quilt Company. My other favorite is Mary Fons and Quilty on You tube. She is very... Querky so you love her or hate her... I love her!! Very much about the beginner. Good luck and welcome to a great communit! Ask lots of questions.. Someone will have answers.

PBS, books, videos, neighbor/relative who quilts, the internet- there are many many sites one can find to learn how to quilt especially on YouTube, Google how to quilt: numerous sites on how to there as well.