Another newbie question

[golferants]

So I am really new to quilting...like never-even-touched-a-sewing-machine new.

Anyway, I've got the bug and decided that I would start with the ragged squares quilt I found on Crazy Mom Quilt's blog: http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2...res-quilt.html

I had help from a wonderful lady at Joann's who teaches quilting on the side. She got me everything I needed to hand piece/quilt this project of mine, because that's what I thought I wanted to do.

My mom convinced me to try my Grandma's Kenmore sewing machine instead. Grandma's been gone now for 10 years, so that tells you how long this thing has sat unused. I took it to a local shop, and the guy did a tune-up and said he needed to adjust the sewing plate (A side question: this cost $55...was I had? Or does this sound about right? $35 for the tune-up and $20 for the adjustment).

So now to my real question...I've got my blocks cut and pinned and am awaiting the machine from the tune-up guy to begin putting it together. When the lady at Joanns thought I was hand piecing, she sold me some Dual Duty XP Coats & Clark poly thread. Is this thread okay to use on the machine, too, or would I be better off going back and getting some other kind of thread instead??

Any other tips/tricks/suggestions for me??

Thanks for reading my novel and for your assistance!

[shell.scraps]

Re: Another newbie question

welcome!! we're so glad you found us....

a rag quilt is the same way I started...and I was hooked!

I think that the price for the tune up is reasonable...

the thread should be okay....I use the C&C Dual Duty mercerized....I've never had any problems with it.

[jeanniebee]

Re: Another newbie question

Shell's right, you should be fine coming in. The only tips I have are don't give up!! It's so easy to lose a project in the mass of things to do, especially your first few, so keep on it! We'll be here all along the way

[stitchywoman]

Re: Another newbie question

What a cute quilt! I haven't seen that pattern yet It should be fun! What colors are you using? I agree that the tune up sounds about average but it doesn't hurt to ask around in my opinion I also think your thread will be fine even if it's not ideal it'll work for now anyway without having another trip to the store but really it sounds like just a good all purpose type thread. I couldn't really quote you product names and titles other than that Gutermann thread is my favorite!

On advice here's a link to a topic we started a while ago specifically to share good advice for new quilters! I hope it's helpful! Let us know if it doesn't answer all your questions!