Teaching someone to quilt
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fox Valley Wisconsin
Posts: 1,920
Start with something simple...something she likes...you want her to finish her first project to feel successful and want to go on to make more quilts. There are many simple patterns to choose from. Maybe even start with a table-runner or wallhanging/table-topper so it is a smaller project that will get done sooner and not take too long to complete. Second project could be a quilt.
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Small town in Northeast Oregon close to Washington and Idaho
Posts: 2,795
Do a sampler quilt. Pick out 6 different easy blocks and have her do each one. She might get bored doing the same block over and over. The beginners quilt classes at our LQS do a sampler quilt with 4 blocks. I thought that was too little. 9 would be even better. You have some good ideas above, choose some and have her do them. She'll know quite a bit when her quilt is finished instead of knowing only one block.
#34
I taught a friend to quilt. We started with a wall hanging size, she wanted a Christmas wall hanging and I had a pattern for an applique (simple fusible applique). So she learned to use steam a seam, blanket stitch around it, and then add a border. Then she was able to do a simple quilting around it and then bound it. Done in one day (she stayed up to finish her binding she told me!).
so she learned a lot that first project and had a finished piece in one day. Really motivated her to keep going. Next we chose a sudoko quilt...again simple squares and then she was able to learn sashing. and she quilted it again herself and voila! Done.
Keep it simple and small for the first thing, what if she finds she doesn't like quilting and has a whole project to finish? something that can be done in one day or two is perfect. Wall hanging, table runner.
Have fun!!!!
so she learned a lot that first project and had a finished piece in one day. Really motivated her to keep going. Next we chose a sudoko quilt...again simple squares and then she was able to learn sashing. and she quilted it again herself and voila! Done.
Keep it simple and small for the first thing, what if she finds she doesn't like quilting and has a whole project to finish? something that can be done in one day or two is perfect. Wall hanging, table runner.
Have fun!!!!
#36
Do a sampler quilt. Pick out 6 different easy blocks and have her do each one. She might get bored doing the same block over and over. The beginners quilt classes at our LQS do a sampler quilt with 4 blocks. I thought that was too little. 9 would be even better. You have some good ideas above, choose some and have her do them. She'll know quite a bit when her quilt is finished instead of knowing only one block.
Thanks everyone for the great ideas!! Please keep them coming!!
#37
Is she familiar with her sewing machine? I start all my true sewing beginners on string blocks. They are forgiving on seams (until there is a BIT more confidence...then you don't have to be a task master to start). I taught 3 children from ages 6-12 this summer and we made string blocks till then end. By then they were ready to move on and made pillowcases. They even mastered my serger!
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: My Sewing Room
Posts: 1,180
One day when my sister and I were just playing around with her sewing machine, I taught her to make half-square triangles. She was thrilled, and we practiced making several, then arranging them in different designs. That is all it took to get her hooked on making quilt tops. So far, though, she isn't interested in doing the quilting part, except for very small items.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post