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From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 05-26-2006, 08:03 AM (1 of 12)
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I have never quilted. I'm thinking about giving it a try. In my area handmade quilts go for around $1000. Any pointers for a beginner? What would be a good kit to start and learn with? I'm not good with classes - I learn better on my own, as I am a homebody and do not do well in group settings. I want consider what I need as far as a machine too - because I will be purchasing a new one and want to include quilting requirements in my new machine. Thanks! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257 
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From: chris b
Date: 05-26-2006, 04:56 PM (2 of 12)
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With a machine all you need is a good straight stitch and a 1/4" foot or 1/4" marking in the plate in order to follow. I taught myself using Fons and Porter's "Quilter's Complete Guide". It covers things fairly well A-Z. I would also suggest either doing something easy like a 4 patch or any other pattern that uses squares or rectangles. Save the points for later when you have a little experince. You will probably want a rotary cutter, a mat, and a ruler. All if this equipemtn will be covered in the book mentioned above.
Pfaff 2170,Pfaff 7570,Elna 945
Singer 301A,Singer Redeye,Singer 15 HC Simplicity 2/3/4 Pfaff Creative 3-D digitizing,3-D Fabric Decorator Pfaff PCDMac2.2 StitchBunnyPro,FlutterWhumper Embird,Studio,cross stitch, EQ5....and adding all the time! |
User: chris b
Member since: 01-10-2001 Total posts: 109 |
From: Patty22
Date: 05-26-2006, 07:22 PM (3 of 12)
Teaching yourself to quilt with a good instructional manual is a nice way to learn quilting. I got the book _Let's Make a Sampler Quilt_ by Diana Leone (out of print 20 years ago  ) and learned the basics for hand piecing. This was long before rotary cutters, mats and other time saving methods. Check out some books (maybe your local library has some or can do an inter-library loan for you) and go through them to see which author suits your style of quilts (contemporary vs. traditional). There are sites on the internet that also offer free patterns - such as Quilter's Newsletter and Better Homes and Gardens. Fons and Porter have a great book too, as Chris mentioned. [I'm thinking of ways to save money here because you're saving for the sewing machine  so that's why I'm mentioning the library as a resource]If you have cable you can watch programs like "Simple Quilts" by Alex Anderson. She has guest quilters showing different methods and then usually "plugging" their books. When quilting was just making the comeback after the bicentennial Penny McMorris had a quilting show on PBS that enthralled me. Try piecing together some small projects before you get into a large quilt. Small children's quilts are great to learn with as the recipients are very forgiving if you don't think the seams meet to your specificiations. A large quilt is an investment with your fabric, so it is best to learn on small projects and then take the leap to a large project. With your sewing machine.....the 1/4" foot is wonderful for piecing blocks. If you get a machine that doesn't have this attachment, you can always use masking tape on your plate as a guide. Consistency with sewing your seam allowance is important - an 1/8" here and there can be an 1" with 8 blocks. If you are thinking of machine quilting - you need to make sure you can drop your feed dogs and you have a darning foot or open toe embroidery foot. If machine quilting is in your future, be sure to take some cotton and batting when you plan on test driving different models. How machines handle clothing construction technqiues may not be the same as with quilting. ............I see you and your family curling up in beautiful, warm quilts in the future....... Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 05-27-2006, 01:56 AM (4 of 12)
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Butterfly here's the link for the quilting lessons on this board. Joann is a great teacher. A lot of us made our first quilt using Joann's lessons. Why not give them a try. They're free and there are a lot of great quilters on this site. http://www.sew-whats-new.com/quiltlessons/index.shtml Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: chris b
Date: 05-27-2006, 04:37 PM (5 of 12)
The library is a great suggestion. I always forget about that and wish someone had mentioned it to me when I first started! I'd have saved a bundle on buying several rulers that I don't use and other odds and ends. I think as we go along each of us figures out what we really like and by using the library we won't own so many books we will never use. 
Pfaff 2170,Pfaff 7570,Elna 945
Singer 301A,Singer Redeye,Singer 15 HC Simplicity 2/3/4 Pfaff Creative 3-D digitizing,3-D Fabric Decorator Pfaff PCDMac2.2 StitchBunnyPro,FlutterWhumper Embird,Studio,cross stitch, EQ5....and adding all the time! |
User: chris b
Member since: 01-10-2001 Total posts: 109 |
From: CodyGramma
Date: 05-28-2006, 04:42 AM (6 of 12)
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JMHO here but I would not start out with a kit! Find a simple pattern to start with and cut your own pieces.... I am finally finishing the one and only kit I ever purchased for a quilt top...I have been quilting for 30 years and the only reason I purchased this kit was because it was on sale and I fell in love with the colors!! not all the pieces were cut right....I had to do alot of adjusting...I started it two years ago and whenever I would pull it out I would get so frustrated I would put it away again! LOL But, I finally managed to get the blocks SQUARE and put it together yesterday and it does look wonderful if I may say so myself! I am going to label this one my "Blood, Sweat and Tears" quilt and maybe even some cursing! LOL I totally agree with the library suggestion...I did and still do that occasionally for any help I need on new methods etc. Its a great source and if you find a book that is really helpful to you then you can go out and buy it if you want it. Not all the books I've purchased have been all that helpful so now this is my way of trying the books out first! Good luck!! I hope you become just as addicted to it as I have over the years! Its a great source of relaxation if all goes well! LOL |
User: CodyGramma
Member since: 04-22-2005 Total posts: 133 
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From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 05-28-2006, 09:38 AM (7 of 12)
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Thanks everyone! I already have a large rotary mat, cutter and ruler. So I at least I have the basics to start. I will definitely make sure I look for quilting requirements for my new machine. I love detail work, and I think quilting will allow me to use my personal talent (God given) for colors, texture, patterns, etc. I love to paint abstract and would love to apply this in a quilt! I'll be back with questions when I get started! I'll be using my simple straight stitch machine at first - but will be upgrading soon!!!! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 05-28-2006, 01:14 PM (8 of 12)
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Butterfly...if you think you will be quilting your quilts by machine then as Patty suggested check whether the machine you will be upgrading to comes with a walking foot and/or a darning foot. The walking foot is used to quilt straight lines and slight curves. The darning foot is required to do free motion quilting. I bought a new machine when I started quilting and then a year later went shopping again to upgrade to a machine that had 1) a speed control and 2) the needle up and needle down features. These definitely make free-motion quilting much easier to do. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Patty22
Date: 05-31-2006, 09:52 PM (9 of 12)
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http://pelkovitch.photosite.com/Album2/ I decided that I better anti up and if I give advice (such as watching a TV program that gives instructions on quilting) I should try the activity myself...... So, after watching an episode of Simply Quilts on HGTV, I thought I would give Anita Grossman Solomon's version of cutting a quick pattern with the rotary cutter a try. Now this was really a stretch for me to simply cut the block not worrying about grainline or seam allowances. But quick is an understatement. I spent more time going through my scrapbag picking out fabric for 8" squares than I did sewing the blocks (maybe 2 hours total to make 30 blocks). So, definitely try some of the methods offered on these programs and have fun with your quilting. The instructions for Anita's method are at HGTV: <http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_quilting_trips_article/0,1789,HGTV_3307_4167771,00.html> Have fun.......... Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Patty22
Date: 05-31-2006, 09:54 PM (10 of 12)
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My images did come out for my blocks........they can be found at <http://pelkovitch.photosite.com/Album2/> Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Patty22
Date: 05-31-2006, 09:57 PM (11 of 12)
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Hell....getting this photo to post is more work than getting all the blocks made....... I'll try this again, or maybe I should just go to bed....... http://PElkovitch.photosite.com/ Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: SandyGirl
Date: 06-01-2006, 06:39 AM (12 of 12)
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My experience was to visit my local quilt shop first to get their insight for "beginners" like myself. While I paid full retail for my cutter, mat, etc., the owner has become a great resource for me in my travels through the quilting maze and I feel that the price and time has been well spent at the local level independent quilt shop level. She also introduced me to 3 quilt guilds (great inspiration!) and other activities. After a few personal "classes" to get me going, I too rely on the Fons and Porter book and also I love the Singer Machine Quilting book (great visuals,etc) for guidance. The Singer book is very easy to read and understand. Without someone to personally demonstrate the mat/rotary cutter, etc. I am sure that I would have been frustrated and maybe even lost a few fingers!! I enjoy a combination of resources in my learning. I love the library but I dont' want to return the books! Used book shops are a great resource for books too. Enjoy! This will be addicting! sandy |
User: SandyGirl
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 97 |
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