There ae lots of books out there that teach beginning quilting. Youtube has lots of how to videos too. Your local quilt shop may have classes. That is a great way to learn. You just have to sit down at the machine and sew.

Congratualtions on your new Pfaff. I have 2 Pfaff machines and I won't have anything else. The IDT is wondeful for quilting.

There are lots of free videos on YouTube. Missouri Star Quilt Company has some of the best beginner friendly patterns and videos. Jenny Doan makes everything fun. Craftsy.com has a lot of quilting classes, some free, some not. Have fun!

I agree with the previous posts about looking for free tutorials on youtube, Missouri Star Quilt Co ... the best, so easy and I love seeing the process rather than reading it in a book, tho love looking at pix. The www is a veritable treasure chest, you just have to go looking

Like you, I'd been sewing for years but had never done quiltmaking. I am self taught, which is kind of how I approach everything. I didn't khow what I didn't know, at first, and have learned a lot, both here and from reading and online. I suggest you Google quiltmaking, quilt cutting, piecing, all things quilt related, and watch the videos. Also, buy a book or two of basics, with photos that show cutting fabric. Get your 6x24 ruler and maybe a 12 inch square, too, to start, and just start cutting.....carefully. (When if first began, I loved the cutting process. Now, not so much :rolleyes: . My first was a simple 9 patch, throw size, made without a pattern, just made enough blocks to the size I wanted. I read up on sashing and backing and finally borders (I brought the back to the front as a border on that first one and hand sewed it).

Go slowly and carefully and have fun!

Search for quilting on youtube. Then watch some videos to find something that strikes you as doable. Next, come back here, tell us what pattern you have chosen, and we will coach you through it. Also, do a google search for free quilt patterns. Welcome and enjoy the process. If you find yourself feeling stressed, stop over-thinking about it, and come here for more encouragement. Welcome to your new addiction, lol.

BTW - I can recommend Eleanor Burns patterns because she breaks everything down to step by step. That is how I started.

Is there a quilt guild in your area - it would be a good way to get acquainted with other quilters and perhaps they might have quilt classes. Since you seem anxious to begin quilting - check out Jenny Doan's tutorials on MSQC, there are simple baby quilts and I believe she may have some quilting tutorials as well. Craftsy also has quilting classes that you can purchase for about the same price as a regular quilting class, they offer feedback with your questions and you have the added bonus of getting to review the material as many times as you would like, whenever it's convenient for you. Welcome to quilting and the Quilting Board, where you can always find help to any question.

Well you have what you need but you didn't mention any fabric. Since you have did garment construction I am sure you have scraps. So my first quilt was all those left over scraps from clothing cut into 5" squares and sewn together. You can pick a fun looking beginner quilt from the net since now days there is just so much to select from and start sewing. Points to remember accuracy, pressing, and have fun. Good luck and welcome

Great advice from the others - just want to welcome you to the board!

Don't forget to get a 6 1/2" x 24" ruler. You can do a lot of measuring with this kind of ruler There are various sizes of all kinds of rulers but this is a good starter one. As others have said start with a small project. A good traditional pattern is the nine patch. Have fun!

Welcome to the board! My piece of advise is "Don't be afraid to come on this board and ask questions." The only dumb question is the one you should have asked, but didn't. Oh, and have fun and don't stress out!

i agree with others to to just strt. you already know how to sew clothes. take some of those scraps, cut some 5 or 6" blocks and just start sewing them together. then when your local classes start, you will be one step ahead. by the way the "Dummy" how to books are great.

Do a rail fence which is just sewing strips together and cutting in squares, look at the tube. It goes really fast and fun to do for a beginner. (MY first one) Very satisfying. Do watch the 1/4 stitch and most of all, enjoy.l

Start by knowing your machine really well and asking the peeps on this board for help.
these ladies haven given me a lot of help and help my confidence more.

Welcome from another newbie quilter, also! I went to my local quilting store and signed up for a beginner's quilting class. Meets once a week for four weeks and tonight is week three (we're going to be making our quilt sandwich and starting the simple machine quilting tonight).

I had sewn clothing and other household items for years and had tried quilts before, but they just didn't come out. Things I've learned so far:

Measure, measure, measure! For example - when doing a "border strip", in the past I would just put a strip of material on and sewed it - then cut off the extra. Now I now to measure the parts of the quilt I want to border and cut the border strip to the average size and make it fit. Now my border strips are nice and even!

Check Amazon for used books - I actually got 2 wonderful quilting books for one cent, the shipping was $3.99 - so for $4.00 and they were over $17.00 new.

Half-Price Books had a bunch of used ones the last time I was in there.

Welcome aboard. I'm newbie and I am teaching myself. I have books, books and more books. Watch videos on computer.

When I started to quilt, I just didn't have time for classes, so I went to the LQS and bought a book - Alex Anderson's Start Quilting (it's been updated since I bought mine) - and some fabric. I made one of the quilts from the book, and never looked back. It was sort of funny, because when I decided I wanted to learn to quilt, I walked into the shop and told them and they wanted to sign me up for a class. When I bought my book and fabric, as I was leaving, the girl said, When you realize you can't learn it on your own, come back and we'll get you into a class. A week later, I took my finished quilt back to the shop and bought more fabric for the next one. :-)

It is highly addictive! Just have fun with it; otherwise, what is the point?

Another vote for the videos by Missouri Star Quilt Co. They started out with a "brand new to quilting" series, and also did a "beginner block" series. Check them out, and don't forget that some of the BEST quilting advice is right here at the Quilting Board!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Missouri...ew=0&flow=grid

Thanks for this, I bought a 1/4" foot this week, have been practicing with it. I will check out Debbie Maddy patterns.

What do you mean but 'good' fabric? I am a batik freak, how will I know if they are good or not?

Thanks for all the info.... btw, me am my seam ripper are good friends! LOL