Newbie here...

Do you have any sewing experience? Do you plan to sew your blocks my machine... or by hand?

Sometimes is it a good idea to start with a sampler because a well designed beginner sampler will allow you to develop many of the fundamental skills necessary in becoming a successful quiltmaker. The castle wall pattern is very nice -- but getting all those points to match will be quite the challenge for a beginning quilter.

A few beginner patterns include:

Log Cabin Rail Fence Four Patch alternating with solid or snowball blocks Warm Wishes (looks MUCH more difficult than it is).

I would probably try to stick with straight piecing of blocks/rectangles for your first quilt -- unless you are a real dare-devil. Dealing with triangles and points and bias edges... takes some skill and much patience.

You might check the local quilt shops in your area to see if they are offering a beginning quiltmaking class. (Sometimes -- even Joann's offers them.) This would be a good way to work with others, meet others, learn some tips and tricks in starting and finishing your first quilt.

Good Luck!

Kate in MI

HI, Thanks for the suggested quilts... never heard of warm wishes but it sounds interesting. Also thanks for the Jo-Anne suggestion...never thought about that one and have one close to home! Can't wait to get started... think I'm gonna try the block style first until I can into a points class. Nitengale

Hello Wanda, welcome to our group!

One of the popular places to go for patterns is:

Prepare to spend awhile researching the patterns. The directions are all very good, from beginner to way, way past my level.

Hope you enjoy this group as much as I do. They are very helpful.

Hi Wanda,

Choosing a pattern somewhat depends on your sewing skills. If you are an accomplished seamstress, it might be okay to start with a pattern that's a little tougher. Bear in mind that matching multiple points or those with Y seams can be a bit tricky. I probably wouldn't recommend patterns with those features as a starting point for anyone.

There is much to recommend doing a sampler in the beginning. It gives you a chance to try different blocks and find out which ones you enjoy making. Likewise, if you come against a block that you just can't get to work, you haven't invested a lot of time, energy and fabric into the project. You wouldn't want to buy a lot of fabric with the idea of using one particular block only to find that you don't enjoy making it, or it's too difficult etc. If you do have your heart set on doing a quilt using one block pattern, I would recommend trying to make the block before committing to the whole project.

I don't know whether you intend to piece your blocks by hand or machine, but I do find that I can handle more difficult patterns if I sew them by hand.

As for color, that's the fun part. :-)

Welcome to the group! Keep us apprised of your progress.

The Warm Wishes pattern can be found here... at no cost. It is all straight line piecing -- squares & rectangles so not too terrible to piece.

:-)

Kate in MI

Welcome! Here is a link to the Warm wishes pattern . There are lots of good block patterns at . The ones with one pin by their name are the easiest.

I think one of the Quilt in a Day books are good for beginners because the instructions are very detailed and easy to follow. Irish Chain, Rail Fence, Log Cabin are all good beginner quilts.

Someone mentioned a class at a quilt shop or fabric store. Sometimes community education also has beginning quilting classes.

Julia > HI,

Hullo Wanda, and welcome. You have a wonderful time ahead of you - it's great to 'feel' your steaming enthusiasm from here! I think what you start with depends very much on whether you are going to go to a class or are going to work from books/patterns etc. A sampler *is* great, in one way, because you meet a lot of techniques in a very short time. But, I think it would be best doing one of those in a class - or at least with some one-to-one help. That is because, if you are doing it by yourself, you might not be able to spot patterns which are a bit awkward. In the book, Sarah started with a sampler quilt, but she had lots of personal direction. I really do think it is great to start with something that will build your confidence, rather than challenge it! As others have suggested, I would suggest sticking with squares, rectangles, strips etc until you have mastered the arts of cutting, sewing a perfect/good quarter inch seam, and putting pieces/blocks together. A good foundation in learning always stands you in good stead. Triangles add a marvellous dimension to quilts, but they introduce the element of bias to the task, and you might be better getting your basic skills 'solid' before including them.

On the other hand, if you see a pattern that you love above all things, that is a fun way to start. But, if it turns out to be a bit too difficult, set it aside for later, and try something more straightforward.

Skills like colour choice will be developed as you go along. Start with colours you love, as Sandy said. Also it is never too early to become aware of the question of value: basically, light, medium and dark - but also the subtle grades within those three levels. You will get accustomed to this gradually, but just be aware of it right from the start. Good luck and have fun. . In message , nitengale writes

Welcome Wanda! A class is a great idea, provides both practical help and incentive to get through any frustrating bits you may run into. But if you can't find a class, look for a good book (Quilters Complete Guide by Fons and Porter or Carol Doak's 1st Quilt Book are both good). Just don't ever let yoursef get discouraged. There will alwys be people better at it than you and people worse at it, but you are the ONLY one who can make YOUR quilts. Enjoy the process as much as the results. Roberta in D

"nitengale" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@q2g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

Welcome Wanda! I'm sure you will find this group not only informative, but fun. There are a lot of wonderful people here that have amazing experience. Word of advice, keep your chocolate, liquorish and stash safe! We have chocolate and liquorish hounds as well as stash raiders here! lol

Welcome, Wanda!! And I agree with what everyone else has said!!! : > )

Hi, and welcome!! What about starting with a Warm Wishes pattern? Pretty straight forward, but looks complicated when finished. Just put Warm Wishes quilt pattern into your fav net search engine. It's free, and can be very versatile.