For All the Newbies...let's start some chatter about our best advice...

Comment

Comment by Sandra Paananen on May 2, 2016 at 8:55am

My advice to a newbie?  Accept imperfection.  Don't expect absolute perfection.   It's OK to make mistakes in your first projects.  There is a learning curve.  Don't tackle a huge bed size project for your first quilt.  Make some samples which can later become pillows or turn it into a resource "book" for later reference.   If you are mainly machine sewing and quilting, be sure to clean your machine after 4-6 hours of use.  Also, your machine is an expensive investment, so get it cleaned and tuned by a professional every couple of years or if you see problems arising.  Be sure to use good quality threads and the proper needles rated for your machine.  Take as many classes as you can and take notes.  Watch free videos on line and join web conferences, visit blogs, join your local quilt group or guild.  And finally, and most importantly take breaks when the pressure is too much, walk away for a while and when you come back to it, you'll have better perspective and bring positive attitude to finish the project. 

Comment by Carol Ann Hinton on May 1, 2016 at 9:51pm

I agree with Barb -- Start Small!  Have plenty of fabric on hand, so you can throw a less-than-successful block out and not feel guilty!  Use good fabrics!  No use doing all that work then having it shrink, distort, fall apart, fade, etc. in the wash.  Take a beginner's class!  Really!  Trying to interpret written directions when you have never quilted before is mind-boggling!  There is a language barrier! 

Comment by Joanna liguz on April 30, 2016 at 8:36am

Make sure you buy all your fabric before you start your project,,they may not have the pieces and color your looking for later on,,But enjoy the ride....

Also always make sure you give some to charity...That even makes life better, and sweeter!

Comment by Barb/WI on April 30, 2016 at 7:52am

Be patient.  Be kind to yourself, accept that you won't have professional results the first try.  Watch those 1/4 inch seams.  Start small and build on your skills.  Surround yourself with people that will motivate and inspire your creativity.  Breathe, and enjoy the process.

Comment by Irene Gallway on April 30, 2016 at 7:25am

My advice is to buy good tools to work with.  If you don't know how to use them, watch quilting video's on You Tube.  Just this month at sewing club a woman was cutting out squares with a 12" school ruler, a pencil and scissors.  I took her over to my sewing mat and showed her how to use the mat, ruler and rotary cutter. 

Comment by Pam/NY on April 29, 2016 at 9:39am

Totally agree!

Comment by Rebecca Sundberg on April 29, 2016 at 9:34am

My best advice to a newbie?  Use good quality fabric.  It will pay you back by standing up to years of use and many washings.  You'll see and feel the difference after the first washing.   Cheap fabric will not give you the years of use that quality fabrics will.

Comment by Janet/MO on April 29, 2016 at 8:02am

Your grandsons are getting so big!   As for advice, what I used to tell my beginner level students was to enjoy the process and not feel like they have to be perfect the 1st time they make a quilt.  That it was more important to do the 3 Ps - Practice, Practice, Practice.