Post
by Ittybittygma » Sun Feb 19, 2012 6:25 pm
Hi Newbi61, I have had so many wonderful teachers and most of those folks didn't even realize they were teaching me. Quilters are normally happy to share their expertise and experiences, both good and bad. They will happily show you their blocks and their quilts. I give so much of my stuff away but every project is a learning experience and practice that will make you a better quilter each time you try something new. I love to try new blocks.
Non-quilters don't know you make mistakes, they just appreciate what you have been talented enough to make. Most quilters will just smile if they notice a mistake because they remember when they started. No one is perfect and we all have to learn as we go along. And you will notice mistakes you think you made that others don't even realize is there because we are generally our own worst critics.
Besides, lots of little problems will disappear in the final quilting and ironing process. As someone recently posted in the sew-in section, when you are snuggled down under a cozy warm quilt, it is crumpled up over you and all you will notice is the love and warmth it is bringing to you.
I did do a block of the month a few yrs ago when I was staying with my daughter up in Las Vegas. We both did it and loved it. She was experienced, I wasn't but we both learned a lot. And she helped me when I was confused on the instructions. The blocks were all diff stars. I haven't sewed them into a quilt yet but I will someday.
Do watch the videos on here. They will teach you a lot. If you can find some quilting shows on tv, watch those as well. Check out places like free patterns on here, quilterscache.com for blocks, etc.
And don't ever let clerks or anyone discourage you from quilting. A clerk once told me if I wasn't using a pattern or doing it right, not to waste my money on finishing the quilt. I had ask about a pinao key border and she said not to even bother. It was too hard. Others in the store all oohed and aahed over my flower quilt. I was just winging it from a quilt I had seen and made one for my sister. I did do the piano key border and it is not hard and so neat for a border. She loved it and keeps it on back of couch for naptime and for all visitors to see.
Check out the swaps, Boms, etc thread on here. There are several sew alongs each month but you keep the blocks. Great way to see what others do for color choices and designs. And the practice will make each one easier as you go along. We try to encourage one another, cheer for those who are ready to give up, pray for all who need help in their personal lives, and just enjoy our quilting family on here.
May God bless you as you learn to quilt and use your God given talents to share your quilts with others. Make small projects to give you more practice and not get overwhelmed. Keep trying and we are all here to answer your questions.
Hugs, Shirley Mae
) I have only been quilting for 2 years come this next February and I have to tell you I started doing swaps and the lottos on here and I could see I was improving by leaps and bounds! I live where there are no classes for quilting and forever had dialup Internet until a couple weeks ago so I couldn't watch any vidoes to help me, the ladies here are so helpful and awesome and will answer any and all questions