Date: 10/23/09 3:41 PM

Hello fellow quilters,

I just watched some quilting videos on YouTube. I'm a COMPLETE neophite to quilting, but am experienced with sewing and a bit of machine embroidering. I'm interested in machine quilting and would like to take the plunge on a pre-cut kit.

Any suggestions for some nice quality kits I could buy on the internet? A holiday or baby kit would be nice this time of year.

thanks!
Lucy

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Beginning 2009 Stash -- 367.711 yards
2009 Stash Sewn -- 13.41 yards
Remaining Stash -- 354.301 yards
Items Sewn, 2009 - 9

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Reply to Lucy in Virginia
Date: 10/24/09 8:38 AM

Have you considered taking a beginning quilt class? I took a class through our local Adult Education. The benefit of taking a class is that you get to select your own fabrics and learn how to cut and piece it. We learned strip cutting/piecing. It was a lot of fun to share the learning experience with other newbies. I gained enough confidence from the class to strike out and try some other patterns on my own.

Hopefully, someone else will chime in here with some quilt kit ideas. Have fun and be careful because once you get bit by the quilting bug you won't recover.

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Carol - * I always have more time to sew *
Singer Touch & Sew 600, Bernina 1008, Janome Platinum Jem 760, Babylock Ellageo, Viking Mega Quilter, Janome MC6600P, Babylock Evolve Serger

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Date: 10/24/09 11:07 AM

Hi Lucy:

I've been quilting off and on the last 10 years (more seriously the last 3-4 years). I don't know of any quilt kits that are completely cut out for you and ready to just sew together (unless you just want a charm pack), but there are many online quilt stores that have kits that contain the yardage and then you have to cut all the pieces. Kits are nice because all your fabrics are chosen for you and then you just have to put it together. But some kits expect that you purchase the backing yourself and none include the batting.

One site that I have ordered from before is Connecting Threads. The instructions that came with the kit that I ordered are short and sparse so if you've never quilted before it may be difficult to follow. Another site that I have not ordered from but has many, many kits is Keepsake Quilting.

If you are looking for online instruction, then check out Quilt University. They have many affordable quilting classes that are similar to Pattern Review classes in that the lesson becomes available a certain day and then there is a message board and gallery available for questions. I have taken several classes from them and had no problems with it being long-distance learning.

My favorite reference book is better Homes and Garden Complete Guide to Quilting. The photos are clear and it takes you from start to finish in making a quilt. (can't get this link to work, but you can go on Amazon - has the best prices for books in my opinion, and type in the name).

And lastly I'm sure there are local quilt stores that you can go to for classes. Some of them also make their own kits as well. Kits are nice but just like with garment sewing, gathering the fabric is half the fun.

Sorry this is lengthy. Hope it helps get you started. Always willing to be an enabler.

Stacey
-- Edited on 10/24/09 11:09 AM --

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Date: 10/24/09 12:53 PM

I'm new to quilting too, just started this year but I learned so much just watching Eleanor Burns on TV, which BTW she has free videos to watch at www.quiltinaday.com , also try some of the other free sites such as sewontv.com and quilterstv.com. I also love Nancy Ziemans Already Cut, Ready to Quilt (I think is the name) Book & DVD. It's basically just using Jelly Rolls.
-- Edited on 10/24/09 1:41 PM --

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Melinda in Tulsa

Due to recent cutbacks, lights at the end of the tunnel have been turned off.

A gun in the hand is worth more than a cop on the phone.

Sometimes you have to do what you don't want to do to get what you want in the end

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Reply to Melinda In Tulsa
Date: 10/24/09 1:55 PM

I learned with a book! How old-fashioned. But we had none of these tecno things then. I also taped tv quilt programs, like eleanor burns. But the best was the community ed class, where you can share ideas and get help on the spot from the more experienced.

My biggest tip for newbie quilters is this; try to choose a pattern WITHOUT sewing points; they are hard to match in the beginning. It can be too frustrating to start with. Many simple patterns can be beautiful with just the fabric color choice. A "railroad" type is easiest and still very satisfying to complete.

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Date: 10/24/09 2:20 PM

I just finished a quilting class at a local quilt shop. It was so much fun and I learned a lot. We used this book by M'Liss Rae Hawley. It is very well written and easy to understand.

The instructors also highly recommended the Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting book. I purchased it and was not disappointed.

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Date: 10/24/09 9:28 PM

Learn wherever you can. It will all contribute to your knowledge and give you perspective. Try to give the things you learn a try, even just on scraps of fabric, to reinforce the learning and make it stick. You can understand so much more when you've done something.

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Date: 10/25/09 11:59 AM

I completed my first quilt top about 2 years ago. I bought a good quilting book that had a section in the front which explained all the basics, then I picked a simple pattern with squares and half-square triangles. If I had to do it again, I would have gone even simpler with a nine patch or four patch variation. You have a better chance of ending up with a square, accurately pieced top if there aren't any bias cuts in the pieces.

On the first quilt you want to master the basics of accurate rotary cutting, 1/4" seams, chain piecing, pressing, joining blocks, borders, binding, etc. Even if you have mastered the basics of general sewing, it takes at least one quilt to find the "rhythm" of putting a quilt together.

Hint 1: Busy prints hide mistakes, especially if you decide to try out machine quilting along with piecing.

Hint 2: There are a dizzying array of quilting tools, many of which are unnecessary. Assuming you have a SM and basic notions, the only necessary quilter-specific tools will make the process so much easier-- rotary cutter, rotary mat, and a large quilter's ruler.

SMT (Stacey) had some good links for info. Bonnie Hunter at quiltville.com has some great free quilt patterns for scrappy quilts.

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Elizabeth

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Date: 10/27/09 8:49 AM

Quilt in A Day has online videos.
Theres quilters tv.
Kaye Woods has a site.
Personally I like Quilt in a Day with Elenor Burns.
Also I read alot of quilting blogs. The ladies are great and will help you along.

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Date: 10/27/09 8:55 AM

One more thing.
The rules that apply in garment sewing in not neccessary what you have to do in quilting as far as color choices
Use a 1/4" seam allowence thru out. Press, press, press.
Start simple. I tried a Bethlam Star to early.
I use only 100% cotton. I'm a washer. That means I was all of my fabric before I begin. Reason being I don't want any fading.
Most important, Enjoy. It's your quilt.

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