What is your best tip for a complete beginner
 

Thought this might be interesting, what is your one biggest tip for someone who is a complete beginner?

Or if there was one thing that you wish you knew back then that you knew know, what would it be?

my biggest tip would be to join the Quilting Board for the best advice on anything and everything quilty. :)

Relax and enjoy the journey. I was always afraid to try something new in case I cut the fabric wrong. And have seam rippers everywhere.

Precision in your cutting and your scant 1/4" seam will make a world of difference in reducing your stress and making any project go smoother. Find and use tools to make precision easy (non-slip rulers, comfortable rotary cutters, a good 1/4" foot for your machine).

Fall in love with a fabric collection and purchase a precut package. It will be color coordinated and will provide variety without having a "stash". Also purchase a few solids or marbles that coordinate, backing and binding. You can get your feet wet and with a simple pattern have amazing first results. It can get overwhelming to try to pull a quilt together from scratch for the first time, this will avoid that confusion.

Have a good source of quilting buddies.

Yes we can read books and learn on our own but for me it is the fellowship and the sharing that makes quilting even more fun.

You are really blessed if you find a good quilt guild or group that also has quilting education as part of its mission.

After each block is done for a quilt and before sewing blocks together into rows, square them up, see if each one is the required size. Of course if the 1/4 inch seam is right on, this will be great and not much is needed to square them up.

Enjoy and find out as much as possible

Watch free videos on You Tube. There are lots for the beginning quilter. Just to watch someone do something may help you with something else. Eleanor Burns videos are all free on line. She is a great teacher.

Take suggestions from other quilters with a grain of salt. :) You would think there is only one way to screw in a light bulb...but ask ten different people how they do it and you'll get ten different answers. :)

It's only fabric, jump right in. The fabric store will always sell you more.:)

I think the 1/4 inch seam allowance is most important. It makes everything else work right. I consider myself a medium beginner and once I got the seam allowance right, everything has been so much better.

I agree, if you have a good ruler, know how to use your rotary cutter and your 1/4 in. foot, the pieces of your quilt will go together so much easier, and don't get in a hurry.

Ditto! From here you will be sent in the right direction because of the resources and links. And read this complete post for all the other tips.

I like the example of screwing in the lightbulb. I usually give the old story of the 10 blind men describing the elephant. It depends on which side they are standing. There are many ways to quilt. The one element however the one part that does not change is accuracy in each step. Without good cutting skills and piecing the puzzle doesn't fit. It is like baking a cake. You can have all the ingredients but unless the correct portions are used you don't get a good cake. Don't listen to those who say " it's your quilt, you can do whatever you want".

My tips would be: when starting to sew, hold onto the thread for a second so it doesn't get gobbled up in the sewing machine. Cut accurately, sew a scant 1/4" seam, buy a 1/4" foot and a walking foot, they are worth it. Pressing is extremely important (use steam), be sure all seams are pressed really good in one direction (usually to the dark) and do not distort the fabric when ironing, keep it straight. Iron, sew, iron, and relax. This is supposed to be fun so don't beat yourself up if its not perfect, just keep at it. Good luck! Sew peacefully.

For a complete beginner? Learn your sewing machine. After that take any advise with a grain of salt. I've read hundreds of "you must do" suggestions that are no where "must do" I don't even agree with a lot of the so called "basics".

Try something, and if it's a pain, modify to suit yourself.

OH, to make a liar out of myself, one thing you MUST DO, buy a seam ripper, because we all need them. Even 50 year veterens.

Verrrrrrrrrrrrry well said!

LOL, or friends will donate!

Remind me why we can't do what we want?

As a complete beginner, I can say that ALL of these tips are spot on. Especially "LEARN YOUR MACHINE"! My machine doesn't have seam allowance markings (no numbers anyway), and my first attempt has been a disaster. I have ordered a good 1/4 foot, and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

Start with a small or simple project so you can gain the importance of accurate cutting and seam width. Such as a pieced table runner, small lap quilt, etc.
Good luck and happy quilting!
~Neecie

make friends with an experienced quilter, someone who live close by, that way you can go the her or him when you get stuck and need help right away, my friend is 10 min. from my house, she has been a God send! an angel!

I would not be able to sew in a straight line if it wasn't for the 1.4" foot, I also failed cutting paper in a straight line in 1st grade, still can't cut straight!

Press seams and cut accurate and enjoy.

1- Cut carefully and sew consistent seams. If you cut a piece too small, re-cut it; do NOT try to make up the difference, by taking a less than 1/4" seam!

1- Take your time and don't try to sew, if you're too nervous or tired, to pay attention to what you're doing.

1- Keep fingers away from that moving needle! :shock:

1- Discover the wonders of basting and binding, with Elmer's School Glue.

They're all just 'one' thing. :D

Take a beginners class at your local quilt shop and join a guild for lots of help and inspiration.

Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy! Learn the basics and build a solid foundation before you start improvising.

Relax, enjoy and learn all you can.

when it is done and quilted and keeping you warm, no one - not even you - will see your mistakes. not your scant seams, not your missed points, not that piece you put in backwards. all they will see, and all you will see, is a completed project that shines with all the work and care that went into it.

aileen

My sentiments exactly.

Enjoy what you do. If something is not perfect or to your liking just wait. Someone will think it is the best thing around and love it.

When I was starting out I used a lot of pins. I don't need as many now that I have more experienced; but they saved me from a lot of frustration in the beginning.

Take a beginner class if you can. I had been a garment and home dec sewer for many years but the quilters class opened a whole new world to me. The terminology, equipment, and techniques were all new. It is so beneficial to get the basics under your belt before you venture out on your own.

Keep your fingers away from the needle.

Have fun with it--a hobby shouldn't be stressful. :)

One of the first things I did as a beginner was to purchase Eleanor Burn's CD & book on log cabins. I followed her carefully, rewound many times and ended up with a real nice quilt. There are many many ways to make log cabins but El made it easy for me.

Everyone has given you great advise. The only thing I would like to add is, sign up for classes at your LQS. That way you will meet other quilters and make a quilt with lots of help.
Sue

I took Art for 4 years in high school, and still can't draw stick people, lol. That's why I am enjoying quilting so much, all I have to worry with are colors and lines. It's giving me such a creative outlet that I've never had.

Don't be afraid to try something new. And if you don't like it, wait a year or so and try it again. Sometimes a technique is more advanced than we are ready for, but once we've got a little experience, our attitude changes. And don't be afraid to screw things up. Like several have said, it's only fabric; the stores will sell you more; and there's no shame in having one or more seam rippers. And have fun. This is supposed to be relaxing. If it stresses you out, it's not the right hobby for you.