Overwhelmed

[soosybear]

Hi America

its almost 11 pm over here in England and I have been watching Jenny and trying to learn how to quilt.

I am aged 62 eager to learn this new hobby have practiced the 9 patch on srap fabric but not sure where to start with a double sized bed quilt so any help appreciated.

Regards Soosy

[Mia]

Re: Overwhelmed

Hi Soosy,

Welcome!!!
Maybe for your first project you could make a table runner using the D9P block? Or just jump right in and make a lap quilt.... I'm sure either way your project will be awesome. Best of luck hon

[Bubby]

Re: Overwhelmed

Soosy.....For your first quilt attempt, please make a smaller project such as a table runner, placemats or possibly a baby quilt. The disappearing 9 patch or small tumbler would be perfect. Allow yourself plenty of time to cut your pieces and get yourself organized. Before you begin sewing, practic sewing a 1/4" seam accurately. Once you have mastered this, you're ready to begin. Best of luck, Barb

[Monique]

Re: Overwhelmed

Welcome from Canada. Good luck on your current project. There are many talented and wonderful people on this site and I know they always give good advice.

Enjoy!

[meemeecyn]

Re: Overwhelmed

Hi, Soosy. Welcome to our Forum. You will love it here. I completely understand about feeling overwhelmed when you first start. I've been quilting 2 years and still feel like that sometimes. To counteract that, I just 'jump' in! Which sounds like what you are doing. I agree with the other posters about starting with a small project. I think a 9 patch is a great beginning project, the next one could be a D9P (disappearing 9 patch, which is cutting the 9 patch after assembled). Practice the 1/4 " seam (do you have a 1/4 foot???Makes it so much easier) Having accurate seams helps the squares to match much more easily and neatly. Another important thing to is the choice of colors...but that all comes with time. I am still working on that one! Just keep plugging. There is no such thing as perfection and when something is homemade, tons of love goes in it and that can never come from the factory! Good luck. The more you learn, the more you will be inspired thus making you more eager to learn! It is a great hobby and all of us here know you will love it!

[Susan M]

Re: Overwhelmed

Welcome! I would definitely start with a smaller project. You sound as though the quilting bug has you. Hang in there.

[quilter.martha]

Re: Overwhelmed

Hello Soosy! Here's another quilter from New Hampshire. Welcome to the forum AND to quilting! Teaching yourself to piece and quit can be very overwhelming. I was fortunate enough to take a class to learn the basics of piecing (all by hand), but I got a lot of tips that way. I then got hold of some books and picked a very easy pattern for a wall hanging. The advantage of having a book was that I had step by step instructions from start to finish. It also gave me the fabric requirements and lots of helpful tips. There are many, many great books out there with basic patterns. My first machine pieced quilt came from a book written by Marti Mitchell. I think it was called "Quilting for People who Don't Have Time to Quilt". I think she is still out there somewhere if you want to check her out on Amazon.

Good luck to you and hang in there!

[debinmalaga]

Re: Overwhelmed

Hi Soosy, from New Jersey, USA! Isn't quilting an exciting hobby to begin on? I'm so glad you found this site, as you're sure to get lots of help and inspiration.

I did two small lap quilts before I did my first bed quilt, and I'd recommend you starting with smaller projects, too. They give you a chance to build your skills and practice them before taking on something large, which can take some skill to manage. If you decide to jump right in with a big quilt now, I'd say a Disappearing 9 patch is always an attractive choice. Whatever you decide, have a blast! There are no quilt police and there's lots of fun and help here on the forums.