Where should a beginer begin?
 

Hi there, I have been sewing for years. Just bought a new Pfaff with all these quilting options. So I am looking to move on to quilting projects. The problem is there is so much info out there that I dont know where to start. I have bought a rotary cutter and a cutting mat.

Anyone have any recommendations?

I have been looking into quilting classes, but there is not any that start for a couple months where I am, and I want to start something now!

Thanks for the info!
Beth

Hello and welcome to the board! You don't say which country you're in, but I would go to the local library and get a couple of books out. Also, some quilting magazines have basic instructions on how to quilt.

Can you sew already? (I couldn't thread a machine before I learned to quilt!) If so, quilting uses 1/4" seams unlike dressmaking. ALWAYS cut away from you and remember to keep your fingers away from the edge of the ruler!

Jenny Doan of Missouri Star - here - has a lovely relaxed way with tutorials which involve the use of pre-cuts which may be a good introduction.

Happy quilting! (WARNING - it's addictive!)

Go ahead and get signed up for a Quilting 101 class as soon as you can. In the meantime go on the internet and find a free pattern for a small quilt (baby/crib) or placemats or pot holders and jump right in! Before my class I bought 2 charm packs and cut them in halves and quarters and pieced them together into a really cute baby quilt top. But I didn't know how to sandwich it all together, quilt it and put on the binding until I took the class. But there are lots of great basic quilting books and web tutorials you can review to pick up these basics too.

You might see if there is a quilt guild in your area. There you can get some personal advice. Sometimes quilting groups might be associated with a church. A fabric shop might recommend a quilt group or the dealer who sold you your machine. You are familiar with sewing, that is a great ways ahead right there. Quick Quilts magazine is a good starting magazine. Welcome to a wonderful community and good luck!

hi Beth Welcome to this board from Quebec city
As it's been said, I started with a 3 day class for small projects: pot holder, placemats. I had a book my sister-in-law lent me and it's been my reference book for many years.
I thought I would give you a link to tutorials of Jenny Doan from Missouri Star. She makes it look easy and fun and there are way to many quilts ideas there so watch out, your list for future quilts will get longer and longer
http://quiltingtutorials.com/

One other site that I started with is quilter's cache http://www.quilterscache.com/

You tube has a lot of very helpful video
and
http://quilting.about.com/od/stepbys...ke_a_quilt.htm
Have fun and show us your "first steps" and your progress.
that's what this board is all about "show and tell" and encouragement and advices!

I am a self taught quilter coming from a garment/home dec background. I was fortunate enough to be able to watch Alex Anderson on TV at the time. I would suggest getting a pattern you like for something small - table topper/baby quilt and just jump in. Most patterns/books will have basic info included in them - just check. I'm not a fan of pre-cuts but that's just me. There are some great patterns for the various pre-cuts out there that might tickle your fancy. The local library is a wonderful resource. Ours also hosts a quilting group weekly. Yours might also and they may be thrilled to have you join them.

Beginner class at Craftsy would be my suggestion. http://www.craftsy.com/classes/quilting

Welcome to the board!

Start small, as others have said. Do sign up for a beginning class. Watch videos, visit LQS (local quilt shop).

Enjoy!

I was a seamstress from childhood but only started quilting about 9 years ago, i checked books out of the library, looked online and just did it...I started with baby quilts and went from there, it is truly addictive but oh, so much fun!!!!

I started with books from the library, and just kept going.. I still read books, and use You tube.. I have been quilting for over twenty years.. Have never taken a class, and have never used anyone else's pattern..

Welcome to the board and happy quilting. lots of great advice already given

I would buy, or see if your library has "Quilters Academy Vol. 1 Freshman Year: A Skill-Building Course in Quiltmaking (Quilter's Academy)", by Harriet Hargrave
This is the first of a series of books that takes you thru quilt making. Will get you started on basic skills
http://www.amazon.com/Quilters-Acade...rriet+hargrave

Welcome from Maryland. I'm excited for you! I can tell you're so eager to get started, and why not! Besides a cutting mat and rotary cutter, do you have an acrylic ruler? Ideally the best one to start with, I believe, is a 6x24 inch one. Since the hobby gets expensive, that size willbe sufficient for many different sized pieces you need to cut.

Another tip, buy the best fabric you can afford. Quilt shop fabric is high quality. You can really feel the difference compared to fabric from Joann or cheap stores. Hold the fabric up to the light and notice the difference in weave and color saturation. I'd practice on cheaper fabric, of course, but once you decide to make something you want to keep or give away, buy good quality. It holds up to washings over the years, doesn't stretch out of shape, and feels so good.

A lot depends on what kind of quilter you want to be. I am a hand quilter but do a lot of machine quilting for Linus Quilts. A good way to decide on which way you want to quilt is to make two samples and try each method. Place a piece of fabric, half a yard or so down on a flat surface. Lay a piece of batting or a piece of flannel the same size on top of that and then another piece of fabric the same size on top of both of them. Pin it together with either straight pins, safety pins or baste it loosely by hand. Then practice sewing or (quilting) all over it either by hand or with your machine. If doing it by hand it helps if you put it in a frame of some kind. A larger embroidery frame would work. If you want you can draw on the top piece of fabric a design that you can follow. A regular pencil would work or there are lots of different marking tools out there. If you like and or enjoy this process you are ready to be a quilter. I personally like the hand quilting process the best and have made several queen sized white whole cloth quilts. Many others enjoy cutting pieces and sewing them back together before they actually get to the quilting part. I suggest you purchase a yard or so of what I call "cheaters cloth". It is fabric printed to look like a pieced quilt. Layer it and use it to practice your hand or machine quilting on. You can just sew on it anywhere it looks like a seam. I often use that kind of fabric on one of my give away quilts. The average non quilter can't tell it from a pieced quilt. Good luck and enjoy.

Quilting books by Eleanor Burns are very easy to follow and complete. I used one when I first started and did not have any problems. Starting with a simple nine patch would be easy to do and help you with matching seams too. Have fun, you are starting on a wonderful journey!!

Welcome to the QB. If you can sew a garment and follow directions, then you can make a quilt. As above, you will be using a very accurate 1/4 inch seam. Until you can cut pieces accurately from a large piece of fabric - I think you would be wise to buy a jelly roll and use it to make either a plain strip quilt or cut the pieces and make a very simple 9-patch. Good luck.

First ... get to a book store and buy "Quilting for Dummies". Seriously. It's a good book!!

Second ... go here http://quilterscache.com/BlocksbySizeB.html and pick a 9" block design that strikes your fancy and make a pot holder. This will teach you: piecing, laying the sandwich, quilting it, and binding it. A whole quilt in a usable size.

Have fun!!

Good book for beginners...Eleanor Burns..check library for availability or even a used book store. Her illustrations are great, patterns simple, yet traditional and her instructions are to a T. I believe she also has tutes on her website......

Start small and work your way up to a larger quilt. Starting with something small will give you a change to get the hang of it without being overwelmed.

check out craftsy.com, They have some free BOM sampler quilt classes that are free, and another beginner class that is also free. Easy patterns, irish chain, rail fence, log cabin, warm wishes. Welcome to the board!!!

Missouri Star Quilt company has lots of videos about quilting. If you haven't looked at that site, you would learn a lot there. If you are looking for an easy pattern to start with, try Warm Wishes, which is free online. If I were you, I'd sign up for the classes but go ahead and start a quilt now. I'd make a small quilt first. I have only been quilting four years, but I had sewn all my life. If you love it half as much as I do, you are in for a lot of fun!

You can learn a lot about quilting by googling too. Plus the folks here will answer any question, at any time of the day. I couldn't have changed the blade in my rotary cutter without help from this group.

But the best advice I can give is to not "stew" about decisions too long. Just select fabric you like and go with it. (I used to get really really upset when selecting fabric. I finally figured out that if I made a wrong decision, well, it would probably look okay when I finished, and it usually does!) Welcome to the hobby!

Dina

I would suggest looking at the website www.quiltinaday.com. Eleanor Burns has TV shows that are shown in some cities on your PBS or the RFD station. Do a search for quilt on your cable box. She is the originally simple teacher (was a kindergarten teacher) that walks you thru each steps. Always start with something small that you like. Her books are sold in JoAnn's fabric stores. I also made the transition from sewing to quilting in the early 80s. Good Luck !!

Jenny also has videos for beginning quilters. Since you already have been sewing, you'll do fine. Also You Tube has videos for beginning quilters.

I am glad I had the encouragement of my quilty guild sisters, but there is a lot of encouragement right here. I agree about starting small and simple. www.quilterscache.com has a great many free patterns, all rated as to difficulty. there are lots of good tutorials on the web, especially on you tube. Be sure to feel free to ask questions as you go along. yes, quilting is addictive! In 2000, I moved to a new town. My neighbor informed me that I would be a quilter now. I did not think so, but 500+ quilts and lots of blue ribbons later, I am very glad she was a little bit pushy.

Don't make any promises for quilts to anyone until you have finished your first projecg.

I think the biggest difference is getting used ti a 1/4 inch seam .

I would say washing your fabric before cutting it - but I know that is not really what you are asking.

Thanks everyone! I did play with some scrap fabric left over from scrubs I have made myself. I made two blocks, will have to get the picture off my phone, but plan on making them pot holders. I was impressed, as I winged it and they turned out pretty good!!! I will look at all the links that were sent to me! Appreciate the help!

Go to a LQS and sign up for a beginning quilting class! Even though I have been sewing for over 40 years and knew that I could do the sewing, I took a beginning class. It helped keep me motivated to finish, gave me someone to ask questions, and I learned a lot of tips and tricks that I would never have learned on my own.

I say it depends on what kind of a learner you are - but for me, I purchased a beginner book with quilt patterns that I liked, and just did it. If you are more of a "show me" type, then there are plenty of on line opportunities. Craftsy is very good, and the Missouri Star Quilt tutorials are good also - however they assume you know some basics already. I see that they have a new magazine that might be worth checking into for more detailed instruction. I was also a long time sewer, and am having a ton of fun with quilting!

One of the things I can recomand is that you use starch. I have never seen it in any supply list for any quilt in any magazine, book, etc. etc. It will keep your fabric flat, matching seams is easier, helps bias from stretching , keep your fabric from fraying, etc. etc. I use Sta-Flo , you can pick it up at Walmart. Pour it into a larger jug and pour in the same amount of water, mix and pour into a spray bottle. Dampen your fabric with water and then saturate you fabric with the starch. Press it dry. All of this is before you cut out anything. Once you project is finished just rinse it and the starch is gone.

Start anywhere you please. If you feel confident that you can do something do it. If not, do it anyway. You'll never learn otherwise. I never took a class, my mom helped me or rather gave me pointers that helped me. But I learned everything on my own. I take advice from people if I think it will help me - not anyone else - but I am me and I may do it all wrong, but if it turns out, it works. My very first quilt pattern was Antique Tile from Quilter's Cache and from that I made a memory quilt. My very best favorite of all the quilts I have made. Why? Because it was my first one. The squares were square and rectangle and I made it with my own touch. I'd go out and buy a fat quarter because I needed dog paws or a soccer ball or whatever I wanted. Then when I took it to have it quilted, it made the pro quilter cry because she asked me to explain what every square represented. Like when my husband had cancer and was going through Chemotherapy, or a block that had a square that my mother had made, or the rose square because my father grew roses, or my faith, Lutheran, on which I wrote a quotation from Martin Luther...."Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of Song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music.". I had 35 12" blocks for the quilt and no one else, unless I tell them, could ever understand what the quilt was about. One of my favorites is "When I get old, I will never wear purple" So I figured I'd do a purple block. Each block was a part of my life (I'm going on 76 now) and I am still not going to wear purple.

Do as you please, how you please, why you want to do it a certain way and DO IT! God Bless. Have fun. Don't get discouraged. If you have to take part of the block apart after it is sewn on to the top, take it out and redo it. Watch how you take it apart and put it back the same way and no one will be any the wiser. I had to do that this past week. I sent my sister a picture of the top of the quilt and after I had sent it I noticed MISTAKE. SO I just took that part apart, fixed it and sewed it back on.

May be it is just me, may be I am too old to write things down fast enough to learn it in my head permanently in a class or something and may be it is my independence when it comes to doing what I love to do the most.

Edie

Since you've already been sewing for a while, I say find a pattern you like, pick out 'good' fabrics, and go for it! I think Debbie Maddy (Calico Carriage, just google it) has some really great patterns for 1st timers. (Based on personal experience).
I agree with earlier comments of learning the 1/4" seam. If your machine didn't come with a 1/4" foot - get one! you'll thank yourself for it!
Learn to cut accurately.
Do use starch!
Pin so seams meet.
Learn to use your seam ripper (you'll use it)
Be aware of when you 'stretch' fabric to meet/match.
and Most Importantly - have fun!

This forum is an excellent resource. If you need help understanding how to do a specific task or step...ask! You'll typically get several options on it! Please show some pictures !

There are tons of quilting videos for beginners on u-tube. Also try Missouri Star Quilt Co videos. They are really well explained and easy. Do a first quilt with only a few blocks, maybe make placemats or potholders, or table toppers until you kind of get the hang of it. Ask at your local quilt shop about a Quilt Guild or a local church quilting group. They can offer lots of encouragement and help. Church groups usually make simple quilts and the ladies are eager to help you get started while you contribute to a worth cause. If you know someone who quilts ask them if they will be backup. Buy a good quilt book for beginners. Post questions on this board. We re always willing to help.

I dove in and then back up and refined some skills. Learn to use a scant quarter inch seam...different from a full quarter inch. Learn to properly use the rotary cutter and ruler. I pieced about three quilts and took a rotary cutting class and found out I was cutting wrong. Sponge off of any resource you find...friends, books videos. Also bear in mind that are several ways to accomplish something. For instance, making HST's. Find what makes you happy and do it that way. Don't worry about quilt police...keep it fun! Quilting is a life time learning hobby!

Take the time to learn to use your rotary cutter properly. They can be seriously dangerous if not used with the proper care. They are wonderful once you've learned to use them safely. Youtube has a ton of tutorials for quilting. Both Jenny Doan & Eleanor Burns plus a ton of others. Bonnie Hunter is great too, she has a quiltcam set up, she just sews and talks for an hour, it's like having someone there sewing with you.

Welcome!! I am a self taught (and YouTube taught) quilter. As long as you have fabric, a ruler, rotary cutter and mat, and a machine, you are set. Find a pattern you love, doesnt matter what size it is (my first project was a twin quilt) and leap!! Its not rocket science, and its fun!! Now jump!!👍👍

I did a lot of on line videos when I started and that was really helpful Whenever I a problem I search on this board or asked for help. This board is awesome. I can not even begin to tell you how much I have learnt from this board. So many are willing to help. You should do fine. My problems when I started was I had no idea how to sew and threading my sewing machine was so hard. Once a few folks here gave me tips, I was on my way. I love, love this board and how helpful everyone is.

Welcome, from Mosquito, California! Another resource for some quick help and support would be to look up the nearest Project Linus group. Some of them do a quilting day, complete with a specific pattern that they will help you with. Always pretty basic. You will have fun, learn lots, meet really generous people and laugh a bunch. Enjoy!

Welcome to a wonderful new hobby. I have a beginning book by Alex Anderson, actually I have several copies of it. I would be happy to send you a copy if you pm me your address. Everyone on here is wonderful and helpful. You will be hooked.