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6 Responses to “What are the essentials to start quilting?”
being a former quilt teacher, i can recommend several books if your a diy-er. but the best thing to do is go into a local fabric store (Hancocks, Jo-ann’s, etc.) and ask them about classes for beginners. even if they don’t offer classes they usually have the name and number of someone who give classes, or they will have numbers for local quilt groups ( I have been going to one of these that is held in a local church).
If you want the names of some of the books just let me know.
to look at what kind of quilt block you want to use in your first quilt
graph paper to design your quilt on
fabrics that coordinates with each other and matching thread
rotary cutter
ruler or guide designed for quilters (I prefer Omnigrid)
batting (how you will do the actual quilting factors into the choice of batting)
For quilt blocks there are many designs to choose from. Choosing a simple one would be best and perhaps working on a smaller project to start off with would also be best.
The library has a lot of books about quilting so you can educate yourself about the different quilt blocks and how quilts are put together.
There are also quilting magazines but I would recommend looking at books first.
Check your tv schedule as there may be a program or two on tv on a regular basis about quilting such as PBS, the Home and Garden channel, and maybe even DIY network.
The library may also have some videos about quilting.
I would recommend either taking a class or getting involved with a quilting group in your area or both. Both would be very helpful to you.
The very best way to learn is a class (offered through fabric stores, adult-ed, park districts, and quilt shops), and you should also try to find a sewing or quilt guild to join. But, I know that’s not always possible. Start with the ‘beginning sewing’ section at about.com.
Then, move on to the ‘beginner quilting section’ at about.com – it’s excellent, thorough and complete – and has lots of patterns to choose from.
For a book, I recommend the Fons&Porter “Quilters’ Complete Guide”.
Go slow on acquiring tools and supplies until you get more of an idea what kinds of projects you prefer to do. Probably the basic tools to start with are:
- a rotary cutter and 18″x24″ cutting mat. I prefer the style of cutter with a ‘d’-shaped handle – it wobbles less for me, but look around. The 45mm blade size is probably the most versatile.
- a 6″x24″ rotary cutting ruler (I like the kind with yellow and black markings)
- basic sewing supplies (needles, threaders, pins, seam ripper, scissors, iron, ironing board and sewing machine if you plan to use one).
- of course, FABRIC (but first decide on a project, then buy the right stuff for it, including any specific tools).
These are available at many WalMarts and craft stores, as well as all fabric stores. JoAnn Fabrics often runs sales up to 50 percent off – time your purchases accordingly.
A word on thread – do NOT use cheap stuff! Coats&Clark is the lowest quality you should ever buy. Most quilters use 100-percent cotton fabric, so they often use 100-percent cotton thread, and many use only 2 thread colors for piecing – off-white and medium-gray.
Happy quilting, and welcome to the addiction!
The very basics you will need are:
Fabric
batting
Scissors
pins
needles
thread
A sewing machine is not an absolute necessity as the Amish have been making beautiful quilts by hand for generations. But they do make the stitching together go faster.
Here’s an e-book on how to sew (using a machine)
And here’s an old book that was used to teach hand sewing to girls in school years ago (you can skip lessons and skip ahead quickly).
Look in your area, possibly on a bulletin board at your local library, for quilting and/or sewing groups/clubs near you.
First decide if you want to quilt by hand or with a machine. I’m a machine quilter, so that’s the direction I’ll go with this answer. You don’t need anything fancy in a sewing machine – a basic straight stitch is all you MUST have, although things like a quarter inch foot, needle down function, a walking foot, a zigzag stitch and a free motion or darning foot may come in handy. Before spending hundreds of dollars on a new machine, check out Freecycle or ask around in your family. You’ll probably be able to find a machine for nothing.
A class is the best way to learn because you can get an answer to your specific question right away. Books are good, as are videos, but nothing beats one on one training. Check local quilt shops, community colleges, quilt guilds, and senior centers for quilting classes. If you can’t find a class (or an individual who will teach you), then start with the book “Start Quilting with Alex Anderson.” It’s inexpensive and covers the basics of quilting.
Once you have a sewing machine, the hardest part is threading it. Read the owner’s manual and look at the diagrams on the front. If possible, get someone to show you how to use it. It wouldn’t hurt to spend a little money to have it cleaned, too.
In addition to a sewing machine, you’ll need 100% cotton thread and fabric, a rotary cutter, self healing mat, and acrylic ruler. Watch fabric and craft stores for these to go on sale. These tools make quilting a fun and easy pastime rather than a chore. Thanks to rotary cutting, you can now make a quilt in a weekend.
McCall’s Quilting has a lot of good info for beginners on their website, although it isn’t organized very well. Check out their instructions for cutting fabric here:
This website has a lot of other links to patterns, videos, color tools, and all sorts of other quilting resources.
Quilting is great. There are many different avenue to learn how. One site Applique Quilt Designs has a page which shows you how to start quilting with only the basic supplies, gives directions on some of the traditional quilt and does reviews of quilting books. The site can be found at.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
leke
being a former quilt teacher, i can recommend several books if your a diy-er. but the best thing to do is go into a local fabric store (Hancocks, Jo-ann’s, etc.) and ask them about classes for beginners. even if they don’t offer classes they usually have the name and number of someone who give classes, or they will have numbers for local quilt groups ( I have been going to one of these that is held in a local church).
If you want the names of some of the books just let me know.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:02 am
raymond
You’ll need…
a sewing machine
to look at what kind of quilt block you want to use in your first quilt
graph paper to design your quilt on
fabrics that coordinates with each other and matching thread
rotary cutter
ruler or guide designed for quilters (I prefer Omnigrid)
batting (how you will do the actual quilting factors into the choice of batting)
For quilt blocks there are many designs to choose from. Choosing a simple one would be best and perhaps working on a smaller project to start off with would also be best.
The library has a lot of books about quilting so you can educate yourself about the different quilt blocks and how quilts are put together.
There are also quilting magazines but I would recommend looking at books first.
Check your tv schedule as there may be a program or two on tv on a regular basis about quilting such as PBS, the Home and Garden channel, and maybe even DIY network.
The library may also have some videos about quilting.
I would recommend either taking a class or getting involved with a quilting group in your area or both. Both would be very helpful to you.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
dianne
The very best way to learn is a class (offered through fabric stores, adult-ed, park districts, and quilt shops), and you should also try to find a sewing or quilt guild to join. But, I know that’s not always possible. Start with the ‘beginning sewing’ section at about.com.
Then, move on to the ‘beginner quilting section’ at about.com – it’s excellent, thorough and complete – and has lots of patterns to choose from.
For a book, I recommend the Fons&Porter “Quilters’ Complete Guide”.
Go slow on acquiring tools and supplies until you get more of an idea what kinds of projects you prefer to do. Probably the basic tools to start with are:
- a rotary cutter and 18″x24″ cutting mat. I prefer the style of cutter with a ‘d’-shaped handle – it wobbles less for me, but look around. The 45mm blade size is probably the most versatile.
- a 6″x24″ rotary cutting ruler (I like the kind with yellow and black markings)
- basic sewing supplies (needles, threaders, pins, seam ripper, scissors, iron, ironing board and sewing machine if you plan to use one).
- of course, FABRIC (but first decide on a project, then buy the right stuff for it, including any specific tools).
These are available at many WalMarts and craft stores, as well as all fabric stores. JoAnn Fabrics often runs sales up to 50 percent off – time your purchases accordingly.
A word on thread – do NOT use cheap stuff! Coats&Clark is the lowest quality you should ever buy. Most quilters use 100-percent cotton fabric, so they often use 100-percent cotton thread, and many use only 2 thread colors for piecing – off-white and medium-gray.
Happy quilting, and welcome to the addiction!
August 23rd, 2008 at 5:26 am
russnor
The very basics you will need are:
Fabric
batting
Scissors
pins
needles
thread
A sewing machine is not an absolute necessity as the Amish have been making beautiful quilts by hand for generations. But they do make the stitching together go faster.
Here’s an e-book on how to sew (using a machine)
And here’s an old book that was used to teach hand sewing to girls in school years ago (you can skip lessons and skip ahead quickly).
Look in your area, possibly on a bulletin board at your local library, for quilting and/or sewing groups/clubs near you.
Good Luck and have fun.
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
espinoza
First decide if you want to quilt by hand or with a machine. I’m a machine quilter, so that’s the direction I’ll go with this answer. You don’t need anything fancy in a sewing machine – a basic straight stitch is all you MUST have, although things like a quarter inch foot, needle down function, a walking foot, a zigzag stitch and a free motion or darning foot may come in handy. Before spending hundreds of dollars on a new machine, check out Freecycle or ask around in your family. You’ll probably be able to find a machine for nothing.
A class is the best way to learn because you can get an answer to your specific question right away. Books are good, as are videos, but nothing beats one on one training. Check local quilt shops, community colleges, quilt guilds, and senior centers for quilting classes. If you can’t find a class (or an individual who will teach you), then start with the book “Start Quilting with Alex Anderson.” It’s inexpensive and covers the basics of quilting.
Once you have a sewing machine, the hardest part is threading it. Read the owner’s manual and look at the diagrams on the front. If possible, get someone to show you how to use it. It wouldn’t hurt to spend a little money to have it cleaned, too.
In addition to a sewing machine, you’ll need 100% cotton thread and fabric, a rotary cutter, self healing mat, and acrylic ruler. Watch fabric and craft stores for these to go on sale. These tools make quilting a fun and easy pastime rather than a chore. Thanks to rotary cutting, you can now make a quilt in a weekend.
McCall’s Quilting has a lot of good info for beginners on their website, although it isn’t organized very well. Check out their instructions for cutting fabric here:
This website has a lot of other links to patterns, videos, color tools, and all sorts of other quilting resources.
Good luck, and have fun!
August 27th, 2008 at 12:09 am
darlene
Quilting is great. There are many different avenue to learn how. One site Applique Quilt Designs has a page which shows you how to start quilting with only the basic supplies, gives directions on some of the traditional quilt and does reviews of quilting books. The site can be found at.