Quilting?

[LilMissFirefly]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone here quilts? If so is it easy to teach yourself and are there any books you recommend?

I'm quite good with a sewing machine, but have heard quilting is so hard you can only pick it up by doing a class, and I can't afford a class right now =(

Thanks =)

[tnitnetny]

I personally think taking a class is the best way to learn to quilt. It is extremely hard to teach yourself. If you can't afford a quilting class, you probably coudn't afford to quilt unfortunatelt. Quilting is a pretty expensive hobby. Supplies to get started cost about $300-$500 (not including the machine). Each quilt costs about $80-$150 depending on the size you make.

[murrypscs]

I was very interested in quilting myself until I went over to a neighbors house. She showed me all the quilts she had worked on in addition to her current project. I was floored by how much work really goes into making these. We also talked about cost of making a quilt and the total cost was staggering. Granted her current project is using some sort of special fabric. I think she said it was a reproduction or something. Anyway, I still might take her up on teaching me how to quilt, but I'm not sure if it is a hobby I will be able to get into

[LilMissFirefly]

Thanks guys =)

I'm not too worried about the cost of quilting itself as I have some good local sources of quilting materials (at quite an affordable cost)

It's just the options for learning to quilt seeem to be 30 week courses (which I just can't commit to with university) or £200 for a day course!!!!


all your advice is greatly appreciated though

[LucyInTheSky]

Hi -

I'm a quilter! I started by using my existing sewing machine and making a end-of-the-bed runner quilt for my sister. I wasn't sure what in the heck I was doing. I had the basic design, and made it work. I then took classes later and found about a zillion easier ways to do it.

I would say get a few books and try yourself. I took a $40 how-to-quilt class that was an afternoon and that was immensely helpful. I would suggest a basic class or 2, but not a full 30 week session or whatever you mentioned in your earlier post. That seems excessive. What worked for me was to take a class, get a project and some basic instruction, work on that for awhile, then once I was comfortable and ready to learn more, to take a more advanced class or a different basic class technique, work on that, and take classes as needed. Oh, though definitely don't pick too difficult of a project to start. Simple is good. 9-patches are good.

These are some quilts I made for Quilts For Kids, a group that gives quilts to hospitalized children. The patterns are really basic and fast. Some of them are the same pattern with different fabrics, so you can see what a difference fabric choice makes. I would also suggest perusing that board since the ladies there have been SO helpful to me with questions.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-53081-1.htm

Most quilt books have instructions in the back or front (annoying once you know how to do the basics and half of the book is about the basics) Right now, I have this pattern book and I think it does a great job of explaining basic techniques:
http://librarycatalog.pima.gov/search~S ... D&3%2C3%2C

This is another of her books that focuses on blocks. I haven't seen it yet:
http://librarycatalog.pima.gov/search~S ... D&1%2C1%2C

Phew! That's all from me. PM me with any additional questions.

[LilMissFirefly]

Thanks everyone.

I put the idea of learning how to quilt on hold for a while but I've still been looking out for a reasonable course just in case!

The cheapest afternoon course I can find is still well over £150 so it looks like it's out of my range for a good while now.

Thanks anyway!

[metanoia]

I taught myself.

I highly recommend youtube video tutorials. Look around until you find one that you like. I looked at quite a few. Here are a couple I like

There are basically two techniques you need to learn.
1. How to piece together the quilt top (piecing)
2. How to quilt the top, batting and back together (quilting)

Don't be afraid to quilt on your domestic machine. I've never paid for a long arm service.

There are around 3 different quilting methods you could use on a domestic machine.
1. Stitch in the Ditch - stitch in all the piecing seams when quilting (walking foot)
2. Straight lines - either on diagonal or straight, not following the pieced pattern, but holding everything in place (walking foot)
3. Free motion - nice patterns and swirling designs that might be following your piecing or just all over (darning or free motion foot)

This blog is not mine, but shows how to do free motion quilting on a domestic machine for all those pretty patterns http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

My motto is to just give it a go. If you're determined to learn, you'll work it out.
You could try a smaller piece first as moving the bulk of a large quilt around when quilting is the hardest part. The sewing part is not that hard. It is mostly all straight lines

[Yurtle]

I'm actually taking a quilting course starting at the beginning of April. It's 8 weeks once and we go once a week and the best part is it only cost $100 CDN! I'm actually taking it through the local school board. The school board here offers tons of classes either during the day at adult or rec centres or in the actual high schools in the evenings! Apparently we'll be making an entire quilt throughout the class and no previous sewing machine experience is necessary. Fingers crossed!!

[LilMissFirefly]

Thanks for all your replies everyone! I'm useless at keeping up with this thread.

If I decide to pursue quilting I think I'm going to try and learn from a book as courses in all of their forms seem entirely unaffordable either money or timewise at the moment!

Do any of you know any good books? I saw some last time I was at Foyles but wasn't sure if any of you had personal experience of Quilting books =)

[tnitnetny]

The best absolute easiest quilting books to learn from are the Quilt in a Day books. Eleanor Burns is a fantastic teacher that breaks down the quilts in simple to follow directions. Before you are ready for actual patterns, get a general learn to quilt book. I don't know of any good ones because I took classes.