Awww, I know growth comes from constructive criticism but this hurt my feelings; I hope you're okay. :-|

There are ways to cover up your feed dogs if they don't drop down. There must be something on you tube

As a vintage/antique machine collector, 26 in the stable, and new to quilting, January of this year, I had the good fortune of a seasoned quilter, my sister, who has completed over 200 quilts in the last 20+ years. I also get advice from the lady who does all of our long arm quilting. I started in January at the invitation to join my sister in a placemat sewing class and as you can guess, it was far from perfect but the bug bit and I really enjoy making various quilting projects. I have been doing wood working for over 50 yrs. and basically see quilting as similar to my woodworking projects. I see something I like, I make a plan(mental), acquire the materials and go at it. I seldom use a printed plan but prefer to proportion things. If it's too fat, thin it, too long, shorten it, too ugly, toss it. Remember beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and every thing I make is to please me. A plan is a plan weather working with wood or cloth. The cloth is my wood. The thread is my nail. It applies to either craft. The most important part in either hobby is accurate measurement. Old Norm(New Yankee Workshop) said it all, "measure twice and cut once", never were truer words spoken and this applies to quilting as well as woodworking. I just delivered my second quilt, a soldiers quilt, to Brite Hope Quilting, for their returning soldiers project. It's a lot of fun and very relaxing provided you don't make it a job like going to work-UCK!!. I am currently about half way through making my granddaughter a murphy bed and have finished the top of a quilt and almost finished the bottom so bed and quilt should come together in about 3 weeks if all goes well. I will take Kylee with the quilt to our quilting lady and let her pick out the pattern and the thread she would like to finish with. She will pick out the border material and I will finish with the binding. The binding will be top stitched and hand stitching on the back with mitered corners. The picture of the soldiers quilt was taken by Ms. Pearl(owner)when I delivered the quilt. Hope you enjoy.

Rodney in Ponchatoula, La.

I would love to find a mentor. I have pieced a handful of simple quilts, done some FMQ on my domestic machine and just got a 18" long arm. I am planning on working on skill building over the next 5-10 years while still doing my current job, eventually transitioning my working hours (in part or completely) to offering long arm quilting services as I have RA and I won't be able to continue full time in my current career as things progress with my disease.

I would love to have a quilting Mommy! I have made a few quilts, mostly baby/toddler size, but a couple bigger ones. I'm doing the QCA Mystery Quilt and having a hard time with my HSTs, as I have never done them before and assumed I could find YouTube videos for the ruler I bought, but was so wrong! I usually rely on videos or other people's suggestions when I get to a certain point. I'm out of practice as it was high school when I learned to quilt and got into it for a while. Having 2 lil ones around makes it harder, one was under my desk today and almost sewed my finger when she pushed the pedal with my hand in there threading the needle!!

I would love to find someone that I could work with. I have been sewing for a very long time, but really quilting only 6 or 7 years. I have found that no matter how long you have been at something, there is always something else to learn! I'd like to find someone in my neck of the woods (Michigan) to quilt with. I have taught many newbies, but am still learning myself!!

Holy cow! You did pick a pretty hard pattern to start with. Are you paper piecing it? I have not paper pieced anything yet, it is on my bucket list. Otherwise you have to do Y seams, which are very difficult to a beginner. Not impossible, though. I know this post is old, so I am hoping that you have solved your problem by now!! If not, send me a PM.

I would love any kind of help to make a quilt. I have been on here for a few years but never got around to making a quilt or even trying too.

I tried the "adoption" routine before but my contact simply petered out. If you want a "mad woman" as your mentor, please give a shout. I am pretty good at this piecing and quilting "thang" and I love to share what I know. The only thing I don't like is English paper piecing (like hexies). I still suck at FMQ but that is actually an improvement. My most controversial activity: I killed Sunbonnet Sue. If there is a kindred newbie spirit out there, send me a pm.

I have been quilting both piecing and hand quilting for a loooong time.lol. I would love to help someone. I am not really computer intelligent but can get someone to help me with that. I do needleturn applique also. I just finished a Dear Jane. I have a sewing-bedroom and it can be a booby trap. My daughter who is a clean freak(dont tell her I said that) shudders when she sees my room . I live in Antlers,Ok. but as I say computer available,camera ready and someone always willing to help me do what ever. !!!! Let me hear from someone. Last time I did this I did not get a single reply.