Begin Quilting

[mekkin]

I am wanting to begin quilting...which route should I go? Join a group or buy a book and teach myself?? I haven't spent much time with a sewing machine, but when I have used one, I didn't do so bad.

I've always had an admiration for ladies who quilt and I love the look and the intricacy of one...and would like to eventually start.

Any help would help!! LOL
Mekkin

 

[JolieHeart]

*Agrees, quilters have my respect and admiration. There is something special about quilts, and would be fun to try.

(I do well to make tie blankets lol)

 

[PreacherforJesus]

I've been quilting for over 20 years and am self taught but I'd recommend joining a group and taking some lessons. It's a much easier way to learn. Most of all enjoy your quilting and don't get discouraged.

 

[crmiles]

I started quilting 4 years ago. How? I bought a book at the fabric store for beginning quilters. I can't remember the name of it, but it was very basic and helped with the different kinds of fabrics, how to sew both by hand and by machine.

I have made several small lap quilts, a little bigger than a baby quilt. I still have not made a big quilt, but I plan on starting it soon. I just need to figure out which pattern I want to use.

Good luck!
Cheri

 

[GryffinSong]

When I started I signed up for a couple of weekend workshops to get my feet wet. The funny thing was that I was so antsy to start that I bought some books and made a small quilt before the classes started! lol

The best part is shopping for the fabrics! YUM!!!

 

[crmiles]

Oh yes! The fabric addictions!! You will become obsessed with fabrics. I have a whole closet of stuff I have picked up here and there.

 

[swartzrn]

I totallhy agree-- be prepared to become a fabricaholic and also quilting is addictive. My grandmother quilted and just last year I picked it up and have enjoyed it so much!! She taught me alot but I also ready anything I could get my hands on. There are some really good books and also if there are classes in your area, you might want to look into them. I hand quilt and I recommend at least handquilting one item. My grandmother told me that and it was so relaxing to do! Good luck!! Julie

 

[mekkin]

Thanks!!!

 

[AxionEsti]

My grandmother made quilts and I have some of hers. She used scraps from the clothes of her grandkids when they grew out of them. It's like a family history!

 

[McWilliams]

I've not been quilting very long and am making a sampler quilt, each block different! I'm having a wonderful time with it. When I retired I took quilting lessons at a needlework shop nearby and have made several small quilts. This is my first try at a full size quilt. I also found a forum for quilters that is great, very friendly and helpful with all questions. www.QuiltersTalk.com Just get started and enjoy it. I'm loving it!

 

[pdudgeon]

it's good to know that there are some quilters on this board!!

another way to learn about quilting is to watch quilting shows on TV. if you have HGTV be sure to check out "Simply Quilts". My cable company carries it at 8 am, M-F. Alex is very good, and the demonstrations of how to make the blocks, cut the fabric,etc. are very good for people who learn by watching others. She also has several books out about quilting, and they are reasonably priced.

i've been quilting for many years now, so if anyone has questions about it. please feel free to Pm me.

 

[SmileToday]

Thanks for the link quilterstalk. I love the show "simply quilts", it's a wonderful show and very helpful. Quilting is fun and very relaxing after a lot of stress. lol Have a great day and enjoy quilting.

 

[Lisa0315]

I am wanting to begin quilting...which route should I go? Join a group or buy a book and teach myself?? I haven't spent much time with a sewing machine, but when I have used one, I didn't do so bad.

I've always had an admiration for ladies who quilt and I love the look and the intricacy of one...and would like to eventually start.

Any help would help!! LOL
Mekkin

We should become friends! I just started my very first quilt tonight. I have cut the first 36 squares! I am very excited!

There are some great websites out there with free patterns. I finally decided to design my own. I have a small bit of experience. When my kids were small, I used to sit with my husband's grandmother and her twin sister while they quilted. I helped them cut the pieces and sew the pieces together. They did it all by hand except the final quilting part. So, I know "how" to do it, I just haven't done one all by myself before.


Lisa

 

[pdudgeon]

Congratultions Lisa on starting your very first quilt!!!

 

[Lisa0315]

Congratultions Lisa on starting your very first quilt!!!

Thanks!

Let me tell you what I treasure I found.

So, this past long weekend, I spent painting my son's room, and moving his sister's furniture into it. Then, I went and picked up my grandmother's sewing machine plus boxes and boxes of fabric and patterns. Well, in one of the boxes, there was a very, very old smaller box and inside, I found all of my grandmother's quilt templates. Some are on fabric, others are on old newspapers dating back to the 1940's. All of them are neatly labeled, numbered, and with the number of pieces per square. There are tons of samples she has made over the years ranging from common designs like a log cabin and wedding ring to very intricate designs that I bet my grandmother made up. There are tulips, and sunflowers, and you name it. A whole box of this stuff.

Talking about inspiration!!!! What a wonderful treasure that I will value my whole life!

Lisa

 

[joyinhislife]

I strongly agree; quilting is a passion of mine also. I used to work at a quilt store not far from my home, and it was FUN. I am a certified quilt-aholic and LOVE to collect fabrics. I helped out with some of their classes also, and that was a blast! If you can get into a beginner class, this is a great way to go because you pick up techniques and shortcuts that you might not otherwise know about. There are also some very fine books out there. One book I have is a BIG blue book, a quilter's guide [can't remember the title!! rrrrrrrr], which is well worth the investment. Anyway, it's great. Have a wonderful time quilting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sheriefx]

I am so glad I found this thread. I just started quilting a couple months ago. I have been wanting to for quite a while now but time was always a factor. I still haven't finished my first quilt but I love it! My goal is to make a couple lap quilts for Christmas presents this year. I love fabric! I have a hard time shopping for it though because I want one of everything! LOL.

 

[pdudgeon]

hi again everyone

just catching up to this thread. As far as finding the time to quilt goes, i've found that even laying things out the evening before helps me to get motivated to take the time the next day.

also don't think of quilting in big chunks of time...take it smaller, say 30 min if you're super busy, or an hour at a time. it's entirely possible to make a large quilt top in a month just by working for an hour at a time during the week. that leaves your weekends free to devote to family and other concerns and yet still allows you to quilt for pleasure.

When my kids were very small (infants and toddlers) I also found it hard to find the time to actually do the sewing and quilting. so what i did was to study the block patterns and find out how the individual pieces in the block went together. I learned how to recognize different quilt blocks, learned the terminology, and learned how to put colors together just by reading the books and magazines available.
all that is a part of quilting!

so i would encourage each of us to use the time we have, however much or little it is, and learn as much as we can about quilting itself.

 

[Johnsgal]

Hi, I recently retired so I hope to have lots of time to quilt, I have made a few for church and except for my very first quilt, I have given all away. I made 2 red dress quilts for the American Heart Association to raffle off in Ne and am starting my 3rd. i lost a friend to heart disease this year and I am honoring her with this quilt.