Quilting For The Beginner Keeps Everything
As Simple As Possible

Since quilting can be just as confusing as it is fun, I want to spare you from the most avoidable frustrations. Take it from me, “The Quilting Queen,” this craft is more fun once you get your basic skills down. And keeping your sense of humor will be essential! Please allow me to guide you through the initial learning curve.It is straight up, but will serve you well for decades to come.

What Tools Do I Need To Start?

Don’t get sucked into thinking you need to buy every tool you see. It is so tempting! I understand this. When I was starting out I wanted every tool I laid my eyes on. The list of cool stuff I just “had to have” grew fast (there are tons of tools out there). Then I realized that I didn’t need it all today. I only needed the tools for the project I was actually working on. This brought me much needed peace of mind.

With my handy Beginner Tool List you can create all your start-up projects. And most intermediate projects too. You can add new tools here and there, but my list is all you need for getting started. Ask for some of your most coveted items as gifts. Better yet, get a gift card so you can pick out your own.

Buying tools is fun. You get to go to the quilt stores, and check out the latest fabric collections while you’re there. If you’re anything like most quilters I know,you’ll probably spot a fabric you absolutely cannot live without. On second thought, maybe gifts instead of gift cards would be better! That way you’ll get tools instead of buying that entrancing fabric.

DO I NEED AN INSTRUCTOR?

The easy answer is YES! Even if you don’t take a class in person, find an instructor. Whether it is on TV, on-line, in person, an ebook, or DVD, choose a method that is aligned with your learning style. Quilt shops often have a Meet The Instructor night. GO! You’ll meet other quilters. Pump them with questions about classes they have taken. Ask if they liked the instructor. Did they have Fun? Did they learn new things?

As an instructor of quilting for beginners, I love nothing better than teaching someone and seeing their face light up when they get it. I love seeing the excitement and joy they bring to their sessions with me. If you find an instructor you love, stick with them. Each new class can increase your skill and keep you focused on your best next step.

Then again, don’t be afraid to branch out and try other instructors, especially if you see a great quilt you would like to make. You can put up with any teacher for a few hours or a couple of days in order to master a new quilting skill-set.

How Do I Choose My Fabric?

There are so many fabrics. How the heck do I choose?You can’t go wrong by selecting what you love. If you’re not interested in duplicating the colors the teacher has chosen for their quilts, then choose fabrics you love for your project.

Get yourself to the quilt store, cruise around and just check out the bolts of fabric. Examine your favorite fabrics, thinking about the quilt you are going to make. Will one of your favorites work in your quilt project? Do you see other colors that would work well with it? I would suggest picking out 3-4 favorites. Now the fun begins. Take one of your favorites and start picking out fabrics that you think would look great with it.

Sometimes one of your favorites may be hard to match. Don’t forget you will want to find coordinating fabrics that make all your fabrics “pop”. If you can’t find complementary fabrics for that favorite, move on to the next one!

Begin With The End In Mind
You'll Stay Out Of Trouble

How Do I Find A Pattern?

Choosing a pattern is so much fun. There are hundreds of resources for finding patterns. The possibilities are seemingly endless! If you go to the internet there are literally millions of quilt patterns. Many are free and some of them are not. But be careful. You can spend hours looking at patterns. It is extremely addictive. Make sure you have dinner finished before you turn on your computer.

Find your favorite quilting magazines. See which ones you gravitate to, pick one or two and then consider getting a subscription. I love it when the mailman delivers my new magazines, I feel like it is Christmas and I get to open presents. I pour over them. Getting more ideas than I can possible execute in my lifetime. Oh, well.

We can’t forget the quilting books. Great books are at at the library, book stores, every quilting shop anywhere. You will be amazed at the amount of information. It can overload you, so take it one bite at a time.

If you ever run out projects, call me. I will be happy to give you some of mine! Most quilters I know have several unfinished quilt projects lying around. It sort of becomes a quilting badge of honor.