Hi! Thanks for leading me here! I finally figured out where to go, then started reading some of the posts.

My first question...are there any sources that walk you step-by-step into quilting? I do have some sewing skills but do not know any of the lingo. I've listened to women go on and on and on, but left feeling like I've visited another country. I'm limited on resources, so getting the necessary supplies has been slow going for me.

The closest I've come to making a quilt was buying a top and putting a fleece backing on it. I have access to a knowledgeable woman once a month, at reenactments, but she is also very busy when we are there, that she doesn't have time to answer my endless questions, or explain everything to me.

Be gentle...this is one of those thigs that I wish I could have learned from my grandmother; just like crochet and knitting.

-- Wendy A (phillips-anteswe@pendleton.usmc.mil), March 19, 2002

Answers

I had no one to teach me either. I just got some quilting books and magazines and learned as I went. Try the library for books. If you live near a fairly large city,perhaps you could ask at fabric or quilting stores about classes. I think there were classes at the Technical College in the city near here. That's where I learned to crochet years ago.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), March 19, 2002.

I also am self-taught and sure wish I had someone to teach me, but I got through it and am quite a good quilter now! I just don't have the time anymore. Too many other projects going on, but plan to get back to it next winter.

The best book I had was "Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel". It is a excellent first quilter book because you make them in lap sizes and then sew them together to make a bigger quilt. It is also good because a beginner can actually finish a project -- if you can't get a double bed size done you can turn it into a throw size! You also don't quilt on a frame so you can take it with you where ever you go and the size is so much more managable for a beginner. The book is easy to follow and acutally makes sense! It is written for an absolute beginner. I know they have several copies on Ebay.

I also found this site that helps with learning the quilting stitch itself.

Best of luck and if you need any help or more info, be sure and do another post here and you will get all the help you need!

-- Karen (mountains_mama@hotmail.com), March 19, 2002.

I'm like Ardie. I just started out with a quilting magazine, and then checked out a few library books and learned via trail and error. Quilts, quilts, quilts! is a very good book for a beginner, and explains all the lingo. Happy quilting!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 19, 2002.

Make a trip to the library. I'm a guy and I learned enough from books at the library to make a decent looking quilt for the bed in my first apartment from scrap clothes while I was broke and just getting by. Didnt have money to spend then, just time.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), March 19, 2002.

I was a lot like you. I started considering why people made quilts to begin with?? It was to use up what they had left over and make something useful! So that is what I do.

I have used old blankets for batting, sheets or faded comforters for the backs, and any scraps that I could get my hands on of for the top itself. There truly is no one "right" way to do it. I have quilted on the machine, by hand, or just knotted. I have made thin throws with no batting or lining what-so-ever. I have made some pretty good quilts, and some that were just lousy! But the kids still use them every day.

It is nice to make the really perfect, matched, top of the line quilts, but it is also fun and useful to just see what you can do with what you have!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), March 19, 2002.

Hi Wendy, Probably the first thing to remember is that there is no right way or wrong way to do it. You can get a lot of good books at good prices on ebay. I've gotten alot of my supplies on clearance at JoAnn Fabrics- they have really good sales at times(just a couple of months ago they had their clearance fabric 2 yds for a buck). Any questions you have you can email me, I'd enjoy the exchange. I actually prefer creating the quilt tops and find the quilting part of the project extremely boring(do I hear a big gasp from all the quilters?). I have enough books on the subject, what I don't know I could probably look up for you along with patterns you might want. Just let me know.

-- Terri in WV (mrs_swift_26547@yahoo.com), March 19, 2002.

Hi, Wendy, I'm glad you made it over here. Any questions you have just ask, somebody here will be able to answer.

My favorite quilt book is the Fons and Porter book I can't for the life of me remeber the title-my brain gave out about an hour ago-I don't care for thier mag very much but LOVE the book. Though there are many good ones, and many quilt mags will give basic instructions.

Hey, Jay-are you going to join our quilt project? We would love to have some guys!

-- Kelly (homearts2002@yahoo.com), March 19, 2002.

Karen, That link you sent is awesome. I have never been to that site but am sure I will go there often. Thanks!

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), March 20, 2002.

WOW!! thank you, everyone, for your input. Don't remember the names, but I have bought some books from Hershner's mail order, and when I got them, they were a little advanced. I'll check out the library and see if they have any novice books, so I can work my way up to the ones I already own. I appreciate the offers for help...I will definately take you up on it, too.

-- Wendy A (phillips-anteswe@pendleton.usmc.mil), March 20, 2002.

Kelly,

I think I'll stick to cooking and getting my greenhouse nursury going right now. Of course, I may make a new window quilt for my bedroom window if I find the time. That will be the extent of my quilting at present.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), March 21, 2002.