mustangquilts

I only do a sample if it is paper pieced or if it has something to do with circles. It helps me practice the tecnique before using my good fabric. I save the blocks and make other things out of them, like dog or cat beds, pot holders, ect.

quiltingnonie

After having cut out an entire quilt once, only to find one of the measurements in the pattern was incorrect, I NOW just cut enough for a few blocks...just to check everything out.

Annaquilts

I make one block but usually from the material I plan to make the quilt.

Happy Linda

I wish I was that patient.

KarenS

I never do this but will try it the next time I start a new pattern. Wonderful idea!!

SharonTheriault

I don't make a sample block. Just get started on the whole thing. when I find pattern mistakes, I unsew and correct it then.

ShirlinAZ

Sometimes I make practice blocks and use them in placemats or table toppers.

jmdietz

I am also a REAL newbie to quilting, but what I do is take a photo of my fabrics, upload to my computer and then practice piecing the photos in an Excel grid. Colors not always true, but I can immediately detect what doesn't work.

Thanks, everyone, for being a part of this forum - a great help for us new to quilting.

Lynneander

Usually I just dive right in. A few weeks ago I did something different, though. I had always wanted to make a french braid, but wasn't sure it was something I could do. So, I did make a small version with some fabric I liked. Much to my surprise, the pattern was easy and I ended up loving the result.

missgigglewings

Ditto...just to make sure it looks as good as it does in my head!