I Need Some Encouraging Words

OR - if there isn't a quilt shop nearby check out senior centers or community centers or even local college's that have non-credit adult classes. My friend learned to quilt at a senior center in NH. Once a week she would teach me what she learned in her previous class - it got me hooked!

Ditto for me- 1st thing I ever really made on my own was a baby quilt for my oldest.  And that was before there were so many places to turn to get help on the 'net!  You can do it, and the SMSers will help you.  Just post questions  when you get into trouble!

And that first baby quilt- still used every night by my 8 year old baby.  They love the stuff we make for them.

Trina

Of course you can sew a quilt!  That was the first project I did.  I am not a quilter, so this was a patchwork blanket more that a quilt.  I put a soft, fuzzy fleece on the back of it, and I didn't quilt the entire piece.  I just sewed knots of contrasting embroidery thread to the corners of some of the blocks. 

My aunt made each of us little ones quilts/blankets like these when we were little.  I still have mine, so I used it as a model.  No pattern, no instructions.  I just dove in. 

The final result was wonky and a little "interesting-looking," but my sister loved it. (It was for her niece.)  It was a fantastic introduction to the sewing machine and cutting fabrics.  (I can't cut a straight line without a mat and wheel cutter, which is why the blanket was out of square!)

What do you have to lose?  Give it a shot and see where you go with it.  I've learned that sewing is never about perfection.  (A great lesson for me.)  And I've learned that quilts are not really my thing. 

Laura (still a newbie but learning all the time!)

Look, the first thing I ever sewed was a quilt. It looked horrible, but I didn't care. For me, quilting is a joy, and believe me, I would never be able to sell or give away my quilts to strangers, but my family loves them, even with all thier flaws. I would say start with something simple, like a 9 patch. But I sincerely believe every kid should have thier own quilt made by someone who loves them. You don't even have to quilt it. Many quilts are put together by tying strings through them in strategic places. Just make a top, make a back, layer it and tie. One of my first quilts was made this way (for my then boyfriend, now husband) and it looked pretty cool. If you really want to do it, then I say go for it. If you have any questions, or need someone to walk you through any part of it, I am more than happy to help! lamb_ellen@yahoo.com. Email me anytime.

Definitely give it a try!  I've been sewing forever, but I've just started working in the quilting field.  Did you see the doll quilt sew-along from Sew, Mama, Sew?  That might be a simple way to start ... I found it very easy to follow, and I was VERY new at it.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?cat=39

Good luck!!

My children are older now (5,7, 9), but when they were  younger, I found it very difficult to craft. It's hard for us crafters though, because our hands itch to do something. One thing I was able to do was knit while I was nursing and perhaps you could hand sew, which sometimes is less cumbersome than sitting in front of a machine with little ones about.

I also recently found this video tutorial to make a quilt:


Don't let anyone discourage you. Perhaps making a quilt just isn't your friend's thing. But it sounds like it is yours. So just do a little at a time. As long as you do just a little each week, eventually you will have a quilt. And once you've made the first one, the second will be so much easier!

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/4938_quilting-basics.htm

Definitely go for it! Don't let the discouraging words get you down!
There is a wonderful quilting book, Sew One and You're Done. It is a book with patterns for large quilt blocks that finish in a crib or lap size. so the squares or triangles you are working with are larger, like 9 or 12 inches.  (no 2 or 3 inch pieces to get frustrated with). I really like the clear illustrations and directions in this book, she walks you through getting your fabric set up, cutting the pieces, layout... everything!

Good luck and have fun and congratulations on the new baby!

There was a tutorial a couple weeks ago (Mother's Day) of a picnic blanket (made of quilt squares), and my MIL said it was very basic and very easy.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=531

Don't worry about practicing on paper, just jump in and do it - it won't be perfect but it will be made with love (and maybe some tired, frustrated tears?!) but that seam ripper does the trick and with every bit you try to sew, you can't help but learn and improve.

The right motivation speaks volumes - if you are passionate about it - then you will succeed and have the satisfaction of creating something special!

I think you should go for it! I started sewing in January and I learned by joining a beginning quilting class.  My teacher who is a great friend as well is an awesome quilter.  I finished one quilt top and the only reason it isn't finished yet is because I keep procrastinating on getting the fabric for the backing.  I've been addicted ever since.  Try joining a class for support and start small.  You can do it.

You can do it!!!!! I suggest a strip quilt.  I saw one on someone's blog today.  So easy, do you have a quilt shop near you? They can be lots of help. Oh I found the web site. as your can see it is just strip of fabric in different widths. Where are you located? I was close I would come help you. Peggy
http://www.aquiltisnice.blogspot.com/

The advice about taking a class is really good advice, it will give you an instant boost of confidence. I've never been able to go to a class, never sewn a single piece of clothing, and try my hardest not to let anyone discourage me to the point that I want to give up...but it is so hard when it's a close friend coming down on you like that!  I feel for you.  I'm sure your friend was trying to save you some heartache, but honestly, quilting is a lot simpler than it seems.

The basic idea is, you have two pieces of fabric with some stuffing in between and you want to make it all into one blanket with some pretty stitches or ties to hold it all in place, right?  It's just that most times, the fabric on top is made up of little pieces all sewn together.  There's no reason you have to follow a pattern or do things perfectly.  I've made over six big quilts in the two years I've been sewing and I've never followed a pattern from a book or anything, because it stresses me out too much.  So I make a lot of patchwork quilts or design my own simple pattern after looking around at quilts I like. 

It only has to please you.  Your first piece doesn't even have to ever be seen by anyone else, but it will be enough to get you hooked beyond belief!  Don't let anyone else's version of perfection mess with yours, you can do anything you want.

And I agree - ditch the paper, it is so different from sewing on fabric that it's not worth the time.  Get a piece of scrap fabric and stitch it all up, use different settings on your machine and just get the feel for things.  It will encourage you to see neat stitches forming on your fabric right under your fingers.  It's kind of a rush to see things working right, and know you're the one doing it, or at least it is for me. 

Okay, I'll shut up now, but I hope you feel better and more empowered! 

Go for it! My first quilt was a queen sized one. It was a bit wonky, but it was all mine.

I definitely think you should try quilting and don't listen to your friend's discouraging words. For years I talked myself out of learning how to quilt. I always had an interest in it and wanted to learn how to do it, but thought it would be too hard or too time consuming. I finally got up the nerve to take a beginning six-week quilting class at one of my local quilt shops and it was the best decision of my life. I LOVE quilting. I feel like I finally found my calling. Don't get me wrong. I have other hobbies that I enjoy—jewelry making, sewing, knitting, cooking, photography, card making, calligraphy, etc., but none of them really called out to me as much as quilting does.

I think a beginning sewing class would definitely help you out a lot. Many cities have adult education classes through community centers and high schools. I definitely learn by watching someone else and then doing it myself. And then with a little practice, you'll be sewing straight seams in no time.

I also think you should look around your area for all the different quilt shops there are and see which one fits your personality the best. I found one that had a beginning class that covered everything, from picking out my fabric for the quilt, which needles and threads to use and why, rotary cutting techniques, how to cut and piece the fabric and construct the blocks, which batting to use, how to cut and attach the binding to the quilt, how to hand quilt and machine quilt, etc. When each of the steps are broken down and you learn them that way, then things don't seem so intimidating because you learn them in steps or small chunks. I get so excited every time I learn something new about quilting. It's so much fun and so addictive.

I just wish I had started sooner. Think of how many more quilts I could have finished by now. I'll be honest. Making quilts is time consuming, but I wouldn't say that it is difficult. Just like with anything, a little practice making things easier. Practice sewing a little bit each day, and I'm sure it will feel more natural to you. And baby quilts are a lot easier than full-size quilt, definitely. Good luck to you.

You have to try! I have learned something from every sewing project I have tried. Take a class and invest in two great tools - a seam ripper and a 1/4" piecing foot.

Have fun!!!!