World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of August 4, 1997:

Our question this week comes from Rwbordeaux

What advise or recommendations do you have for a beginning quilter - books to read, classes to take, tips for success?

Joan Woodland@avalon.net :
start with something small like a wall hanging, baby quilt or a lap quilt, books are great but most of them are full size quilts which seem to take forever to finish when your new. good luck ::-)

deby@webtv.net :
Begin- you did this when you decided to start. Find your local quilt stores; visit them all; see which one best fits your personality.
Books- Barnes & Noble; library; other quilters; find and author that best goes with your way of thinking.
Success- There is no quilt too complicated to start with; if you like it, make it. For me it is squares and patchwork (rag muffin quilts). Have fun and let me know how you are doing1

Debbie :
One of the first books I used for quilting was "It's Okay If
You Sit On My Quilt". I found it very helpful. A beginning
quilting class is a great place to start. They often make a
"sampler" quilt, so you get to make a variety of blocks.
I found that using 3-4 colors on my first quilt was good. It
was enough to keep it interesting, but not enough to be
too confusing or overwhelming. Good luck and have fun!

Debbie Smith :
I would suggest taking a sampler class;
that's what I did. You learn different
methods and can--maybe--figure out what
you like best before making too big a
commitment. Also, it helps to have others
to learn with so you don't feel so stupid!

Elaine : ELAROB @ msn.com :
I started with the book 'QUILTS! QUILTS!! QUILTS!!! ' by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes. It is great for a beginner. It starts with a very simple stripped peice quilt called Roman Squares and each quilt after that progresses in skill level. There are 34 quilts and the last one is Drunkards Path. THE book has everything from A to Z for the novice quilter.
Take a beginning quilt class that has a easy uncomplacated pattern. At your local quilt store go in and introduce yourself as a new quilter and believe me you will never have to worry about getting any type of info. Quilters love to share and shar e and share ....
As for tips ; have a good machine,( I'm spoiled. I have 3 Berninas ) and keep it clean. Make it a habit to clean it after each project and also CHANGE YOUR NEEDLE when you clean your machine. You can recycle them ,they are great for hanging pictures on wallls,small holes amd great strenght.
Enjoy what you are doing, create , and listen to your heart. There are no rules that can keep you from becoming the best you can.

Keep that consistant 1/4 " seam allowance and the world is yours.

Rosie Morrison :
Cut acurately and mark 1/4 inch seams, if hand piecing.

Annie, Brisbane ,Australia :
I'd suggest a short (basic), patchwork
quilting course. Nothing like hands on
experience with a few other people, under
an experienced person. Things that seem so foreign
in a book fall into place when you see someone do it,
or have a technique explained in person to you. Once you've had
instruction in some of the basics, you
will feel more confident about doing your
own projects. Browse books, magazines, talk to the sales
people in the fabric shops (they are great
sources of information). Join a club
Surf the net! Have fun! Because despite
the sore finger tips, and the needle pricks in the
beginning, you will, hopefully, become
addicted to a great interest! I have.

CLAIRE :
The most useful advice I was given was to select a colour ranger you are happy with and whatever you do you will end up with a quilt you like. I did this for my first quilt and ended up happy because I used colours I felt at ease with. Happy quilting.

Ann Alfaro, Columbine Quilt Guild, Wheatridge, Colorado :
Join a guild, buy (on the newstand or
subscribe to) quilting magazines, closely
look at lots of quilts at shows, museums,
etc., visit quilt fabric shops and talk
to the staff there, watch quilting
shows on TV, take beginning classes.
Buy good tools and try a small project
first,such as a baby quilt,wall hanging, or table runner;
above all, DON'T BE AFRAID to ask any
question and try making whatever
appeals to you. Happy quilting!

Shirley :
Alot of good information has been given!!! My first quilt used 11 different fabrics and for awhile I was lost in which fabric went where, etc. I would recommend doing a two color quilt - they always look wonderful and you will spend time learning the process and your finished quilt will be BEAUTIFUL.

LILLIAN :
QUILTS,QUILTS QUILTS BY DIANA MCCLUN AND LAURA NOWNES .
COST $20.00 . READ THOROUGHLY AND THEN TRY SOME OF THE BEGINNER PROJECTS

Chrysti patch@santel.net :
You have received lots of advice..all good
If you have gone to lots of quilt shows and
know what type of quilt you like best, thats
a good start. Seek out a good shop, ask questions,
ask about a local guild, or classes. Observe others
work in progress. There's something for
everyone out there..hand workers may not
like machine work..Your local shop or guild
may put you in touch with just the right
person. I also read everything i can get my hands on.
and highly recomend "Quilters Complete Guide"
by Fons and Porter....

Susan Craig :
Two books that have really helped me
alot are:
QUILTING BY MACHINE-by Singer
THE QUILTERS ULTIMATE VISUAL GIUDE-by
Ellen Pahl, Rodale Press

ddt3@sprynet.com :
Join your local quilting club or guild and soak up all the experience of the many quilters there; ask questions and listen, and try everything, at least once, even if you think it is something you will not like. I learned more about quilt making in my first year after joining our quilter's group than I had in the previous 25 years of "going it alone". Other people who enjoy doing the same things you do are the greatest resource there is - take advantage of them!

DD in Reno :
Join your local quilting club or guild and soak up all the experience of the many quilters there; ask questions and listen, and try everything, at least once, even if you think it is something you will not like. I learned more about quilt making in my first year after joining our quilter's group than I had in the previous 25 years of "going it alone". Other people who enjoy doing the same things you do are the greatest resource there is - take advantage of them!

patzach@coastalnet.com :
Get Georgia Bonesteel's books and/or videos. She has great basic info for new quilters disguised as interesting projects. Join a local guild. The older members will have plenty of free advice and will help you with specific questions and problems. Read all the quilting books in the library. then you'll know which ones you might want to buy. I have been quilting over ten years and still read and reread many of my oldest books.

Shelley <wldprairie@aol.com> :
By all means seek out a good beginning class in a local shop or community college. Having a good teacher who will stand at your shoulder and watch you rotary cut, machine piece, and square up units will get you started on the right foot for these contemporary piecing methods. There are lots of techniques out there that are much easier to understand when you see them demonstrated "live" in class...and getting help if you're having trouble will lower the frustration level as you're getting started. When you find a teacher you like, see what else she is teaching! (Same thing in reverse regarding a teacher whose teaching style you didn't really like.) I'd also suggest taking additional classes in basic handwork if you prefer traditional methods--hand applique and hand quilting--andVor machine applique and machine quilting if you are interested in these techniques. The more techniques you have under your belt the easier it will be for you to plan your own quilts pulling the techniques best suited for your project from your bag of tricks. And once you've taken a few classes, self teaching from books and magazine articles is a whole lot easier! P.S. If you like hand quilting and want to improve, ask to watch every hand quilter you meet quilt a bit. Everyone has a few personal preferences in hand position and such, and this is a great way to pick up a tip that might help you greatly!

Erica :
I learned how to quilt after I joined a local Quilt Guild. Everyone in the group was more than willing to share their expertise with me. I feel fortunate to belong to a group of friends that are so willing to give of themselves. People have different learning skills, so you must find which way you learn best. For the past three years I have been a member, but not always active, yet the group have always been there to help me. A guild ca

Sue Duthweiler <duth@alaska.net> :
Don't be afraid to try ANYTHING, just do it in small pieces, so if you are not thrilled with the results you have not invested too much time or money. Ask lots of questions. Remember there are no foolish questions, there are only people too foolish to ask.

Get advice from all of the "experts" and "professionals" and then decide what works best and makes the most sense for you. Allways be aware that there are many ways to accomplish each quiltmaking skill. Experiment and have fun.

Especially have fun and enjoy your work. It's a very personal hobby and a very personal art form. Let your quilts reflect your taste and sense of adventure.

Finally, NEVER apologize about your work. You know every stitch personally and which ones do not measure up to your highest standards. Each stitch is a step toward the next and you'll take each stitch with more confidence.

GAYLE :
READ ALL THE ADVICE THAT THE OTHER QUILTERS HAVE GIVEN - IT IS ALL VERY VALID. DO THE CLASSES, READ THE BOOKS AND MAKE THAT FIRST EASY QUILT TO LEARN ALL THE TECHNIQUES. BUT KEEP IN MIND THE QUILT THAT YOU WANT TO REALLY MAKE, ASK A BILLION QUESTIONS (THERE MAY BE AN EASY WAY ) AND ONE DAY HAVE A GO.YOU WILL NEVER MAKE THE QUILT YOU WANT UNTIL ACTUALLY MAKE IT!

Peg Adams :
DON'T do as I did: tackle the most difficult project first!!! My first quilt was a double wedding ring!! choose something easier like a nine patch or log cabin.

My eyes are always too big for these projects: also tackled a huge difficult sampler for my first ever cross stitch project. And I wondered why I got so frusrtated! at least with the quilt, I had a teacher. Try your local high school for Adult Ed. classes (good and very inexpensive)..Try your local library, too.

Spshakers@aol.com :
from Peg Adams:

DON'T do as I did: tackle the most difficult project first!!! My first quilt was a double wedding ring!! choose something easier like a nine patch or log cabin.

H Minick :
Log cabin from QIAD is an easy one to start with. That was my first
quilt and I was hooked.

MaurNance :
I started with a 4"sq Round the World.
You need help in color selection and E
Burns still has the definitive book on
this. Be sure to do the scrap worksheet
for color placement. Have fun.

Clare :
My favorite beginning book is "Quilts! Quilts! Quilts!!!" by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes. A "color" class is always great. But remember to relax and have fun.

Jocelyn :
I really, really recommend classes. I
didn't make much progress on my work,
working alone. I needed to SEE it
demonstrated! I also recommend joining a
quilting group, for the same reason:
learning from experienced quilters who
can oversee your work and save you from
mistakes. <G>

Amy A. :
Classes are great, but not everyone has
a good quilt or sewing shop nearby. I
started quilting when my daughter was a
baby – I found Eleanor Burns’ Quilt In
A Day program on PBS and thought, I can
do that! I have used many of the Quilt
In A Day books, find them easy to
understand, and I get great results.
Log Cabin and Irish Chain are usually
recommended for beginners, but I think
Morning Star and Trip Around the World
are easy enough for beginners.
Pick fabric you love, have fun, and
remember – it is said that a perfect
quilt is bad luck!

Nancy :
The public library has a large selection of books on quilting and patterns to try. Joining a guild is a great way to learn because quilters are so friendly and willing to share. Good luck and just practice. Remember it doesn't have to be perfect to be loved!

Kathy :
I would suggest that you take as many classes as you can. I have been qyuilting for over 15 years and have taken numerous classes. I learn something new from each teacher. It is a great way to keep up with what's new in quilting, too.

heyjude :
Try all the books from Georgia Bonesteel in her first series on lap quilting. I found them at the library. The library is an excellent place to start.

pat :
i agree with everything that everyone else has said. my addition would be to chose something as your first project that you ABSOLUTELY LOVE. that will help you over any challenges that you encounter and will give you such a feeling of satisfaction. the other suggestion that i have that a friend / mentor taught me was that it's ok to change your mind or to not finish something. create a group of friends that either love you enough NOT to be critical and or live far enough away that you won't be "subjected" to viewing the creation that you are less pleased with. most of all, ENJOY THE CREATIVE PROCESS!!!!!

Sue :
There are so many opportunities for a beginning quilter....quilt magazines, join a quilting quild...visit a quilt store and sign up for a beginning class. You will meet some wonderful new friends as you become involved in quilting. Alex Anderson's new book is excellent for the new quilter, too.

dksptchwrk :
Of all this things that you could do the best suggestions I have for you is to join a local quilt guild. Make sure that they are a member of NCQC, and their mission statement is for non-profit, and to support the love of quilting etc.

Most guilds have an extensive library where you can check out books. They should have mini-work shops available for you with a nonminal fee. Most of all I can honestly say I HAVEN'T MET A QUILTER I DIDN'T LIKE. ALL QUILTERS SEEMS TO LOVE AND SHARE WHAT KNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE! GOOD LUCK

Irene :
I recommend you take a very simple class first. A good one is the Quilt In A Day class. I chose the single Irish chain for my first quilt since it only required 3 fabrics! I'm not a sewer but love quilts. I got hooked the first day of class. Remember to ask questions. Quilters are a sharing group of folks. There really isn't a stupid question! Don't get discouraged, everyone has to unstitch now and then. There are lots of very good magazines now that are educational. Most of the really good ones are sold at the fabric stores or quilt shops. Also, if you know someone who quilts, ask them to show you how! Happy stitches.

Anthony :
1)Take a beginning quilting class that covers the whole process from fabric selection to stitching down the binding. 2)This bears repeating: if you can buy only one book, make it "Quilters' Complete Guide" by Porter & Fons. It is a book about quiltmaking, not making a particular pattern but it is an excellent reference book that you will go back to over and over. 3)Find a local guild of quilt group. Quilters are the most sharing of people and always willing to share, teach, or help out with technical detail. 4)Visit and make yourself known at local independent quilt shop(s), there is a wealth of help available there. 5)Listen, learn, try everything, but trust your own instincts. What works for one quilter may not for another. But only by trying can you find what's best for you. Tip: start with a small manageable project that you can easily complete. A king size is not the best place to start. Try a wall hanging or a lap quilt just to master the techniques. You can always make that masterpiece the next time. Happy Sewing!

National Quilting Association :
NQA membership offers many services:
The Quilting Quarterly
Judges & Teachers Certification
Grants & Scholarship Awards
Consumer Advocacy Service
Block Evalution
Annual Show
And much more!!!
Check out our website:
http://www.his.com/~queenb/nqa
e-mail address: nqa@erols.com
e

Grace :
I learned how to quilt from the book,"Quilter's Complete Guide." It is a wonderful book with lots of projects and techniques. I highly recomend this book to anybody from beginnner to advanced.

Carol :
Yes as everyone has said take a beginners class, most fabric stores offer them and even have sewwing machines and cutters you can use at the store. Do join a guild the people there are helpful and inspiring!

Ceelie :
In my vast library of quilters books I find the Quilter's Complete Guide by Marianne Fons & Liz PorterS published by Oxmoor House to be the finestS most completeS and thoroughly explicit.

Dana Lynch DLquilter@aol.com :
I started quilting about 2 years ago. I was so overtaken with applique quilts that I thought I just had to do one for my first quilt. So I plunged in and did just that. It was wonderful and hand applique is still my very favorite thing to do, but if I were starting now, I would do a basic beginners class...hand pieced and hand appliqued...The reason is that once you learn these things, you have established a foundation and can branch out from there. I think learning the history of quilts and quiltmaking is important also. Buy all the books you can and read, read, read.....If you need any tips or just want to talk about this wonderful thing, please feel free to e-mail me:
DLquilter@aol.com. I could not imagine my life without quilting. I'm sure it will always be a very important part. Welcome...and Happy Sewing. Dana :)

Margaret Yopp (MYOPP@utmem1.utmem.edu :
Take a beginner's quilt class-you learn lots and make new friends--others who are just
starting out. Join a guild. Quilters are friendly and always helpful. One book I have
particularly enjoyed has been the Visual Guide to Quilting. I cannot remember the exact title
but that is close. I wish I had built a library of reference books first. Happy quilting and
welcome.

Jennifer Johnson (jenjohn@snet.net) :
I started over 6 years ago with a demonstration class
through adult ed. The first time I remember being interested
in quilting, I was watching a woman cut out thousands of diamonds
for a broken star. Knowing all those pieces would have to be
sewn together, I decided making a quilt was not for me. But seeing
strip piecing techniques, machine applique, machine quilting, rotary
cutting, pin basting, and all the shortcuts done I found the
gumption to try. So, unless you're a motivated self-starter and like
to learn by yourself, take a class! It's worth every penny!

Sara Newberg King :
The greatest service you can do for yourself is to take a beginning quilting class. In that class you not only should learn how to piece, applique, baste, and hand quilt, you also should learn about many of the gizmos that will help make your quilting life easier. Those things include the right rulers, rotary cutters, needles, thimbles, thread, etc. In class you also make friends with other quilters who are wonderful people. You also will get networking with other quilters. They will give you tips on when shows are in the area, when shops have their sales, and other very important information for a quilter. So, go for it - take a class. I'm one of those quilters who you can now connect with. My e mail is kingqs@ibm.net. Happy stitching, Sara

Angie :
I have learned just about everything your could
want to learn right here on the net. Visiting
the WWQP pages and the bulletin board to ask for
help and just surfing and I've found
the answer to every question I've had. Quilters
are the most helpful people I know. I've only had
a computer for a year now and I've learned soooo
much and have met some wonderful people!

Angie

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