Any Quilters Out There?

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Hi all!

I'm attempting to make a quilt and since I'm not super crafty I'm looking for any advice. I'm browsing right now for cute patterns that are good for beginners. I can do basic sewing but nothing super fancy so I would like something that is slightly above beginner status. Any one have any tips or cute patterns to share?

Thanks for the help guys!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

See if there is a quilting guild in your area?  If so, those ladies will be glad to help you get started.  You might start at a local senior center to see if a group meets there - not that only seniors quilt, just that I have noticed that quilting guilds in my area often meet there.  What about a tied quilt? My mom and I used to make tied quilts when I was a teenager.

What does it mean to tie a quilt? This is a very basic and beginner-friendly way to hold together a quilt.

Embroidery floss, yarn or a similar product is used to literally tie the layers together every few inches. This works well on both pieced and whole-cloth quilts. It is suitable for a variety of different projects, including those with different weights. Quilts with no batting or those with extra thick batting that are not able to be quilted in any other way are great candidates for this type of technique.

I pulled this picture off the internet - I am too lazy to go upstairs and take a picture of the baby one my mom made for my daughter.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Oh thats pretty! I will look up what a tie quilt is. I checked for quilting guilds by me and for the most part they meet up when I am working so I will debating on stopping by on a day off but I am still thinking about it. I don't want to show up for a day and not be able to go back for a long time.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Another type of quilting piecing you might want to look into is 'strip' quilting.  The great thing about it is that you don't have to worry about precise corners as you put it together.  The fun thing about quilting is you don't have to be super crafty, you just have to relax and have fun with it. Unless you plan on showing or competing in the quilting world you just pick your fabrics and watch the magic happen as they come together.  I always say any little mishap is a happy accident that makes that one unique. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Absolutely Judy, all those little mistakes, we see when making the quilt, are normally hidden by the naked eye and only adds uniqueness and character to the whole quilt when done. It's like putting your personal signature on it that only you can see. Usually.  

Love "happy accident".

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

oh I saw a strip quilt online and it looked so cute! I like how they aren't perfect too :)

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Yes!! I've been consumed with quilting lately! I started ages ago but didn't have time and then picked it up again a few years ago. It's so fun! A lot of great suggestions here. I have a local fabric store too that gives a variety of lessons at different skill levels. Also I have ordered kits and the kit will usually describe the skill level or sewing skills needed for the project. They come in beginners, intermediate and so on. It's an easy way to have all the fabric picked out and instructions on what to do. I've only ordered from Craftsy.com, but there's a ton of other sites. There are really good youtube videos to check out too. I love the videos that Missouri Star Quilt Co. does. When in doubt I go through Missouri Star Quilt Company's selections and they have not let me down yet! Good luck! Here's a flower pot table runner I just finished piecing, all ready for quilting!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Very nice, it's easy to see that you are an experienced quilter. Your suggestions are exactly what I have done as well so great advice. And quilting with friends is really fun so finding like minded quilters is a good idea. Learn so much from eachother.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Thanks! I agree, it is fun to quilt and learn with others!!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Janie ~ I love your table runner.  I just recently checked out the Craftsy.com site.  Now that I have seen this runner I may start a quilting project.  I used to quilt years ago, but then gave up most of my crafting to sit at a bridge table or go biking.  I recently got the bug to start crocheting again and made a ton of hats for my daughter and all her ski friends this last winter..

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Linda, I bet your daughter and friends love your hats! You should post a pic! I'm, excited for you to get back into quilting! It's changed so much! There's still the traditional fabrics, my last project was more traditional, but then there's fresh new fabrics out there too! A quilting teacher/friend of mine made up this flower pot block and she used Amy Butler fabrics that are in the flowers. I loved the look for this project and also used Amy Butler fabrics, then searched for terra cotta or mossy looking fabric for all of the pots! I like polka dots too and am always drawn to that! Cheryl (Finnegan) and I went to a quilt show featuring Kaffe Fasset and he is all about color! A lot of color! lol It's starting to grow on me and if I find the right look, I might even give it a try! I think there's even some Kaffe kits on Craftsy! Anyway, I'd love to see what you end up doing, good luck!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks or all the fabric tips.  I am definitely going to make a runner for the dining table.  Nothing to do with dining,  but here is a slouchy I just love made with a blend of alpaca, bamboo, wool & acrylic.

[Terri and Harley]

Linda, all I can say is "WOW!"

I'd pay $$ for that (especially since winter refuses to leave here in NJ).

:)

Terri & Harley