Quilt in a Day Forums

I am new to quilting. I have limited myself to doing only 4-patch blocks. I now want to try some new things. When a pattern gives one exact cutting sizes and also includes templates, do I need to use both or can I rely on my cutting skills.

Thanks

I would suggest doing a cutting sample piece and then measuring it against the template to see if your cutting is accurate. You don't need to use both methods.

Thank you for your quick response. I will do as you suggested. I have learned a lot over the past few months by reading the suggestions posted by the quilters in this group.

Welcome to the group in this forum. I would suggest that for your confidence builder that you take a simple class from a local quilt shop. They can usually offer alot of tips, help and cheap guidance.
I also bought the book from Quilt in a Day of the Log cabin quilt. The pictures in it are so good, she takes you from step to step. It was so clear. I was really afraid to try it. Then, I just decided this is the time. That was about 8 years ago and it has been lots of fun learning since. So, don't give up, just take it a step at a time.

HI and welcome!
I agree with the others. Take a beginners class locally and get a QIAD book with Eleanor's easy to follow directions. Log Cabin is great for beginners, but several others are too. I like the rail fence and you can get that book on sale right here at QIAD.

Let us know how things go.

Thanks ladies for your suggestions. I have learned so much by reading all the instructions, tips etc posted on this forum. I have had a lot of success with the rail fence and just this week made some table runners using the pinwheel pattern. All the points meet as they should. I would love to take some quilting classes, but I live 60 miles from the nearest fabric store. I do watch all of Eleanor's quilting shows and buy a lot of fabric from the QIAD web site.

Thanks and I'll keep reading

Congratulations Nimrod. If all your pinwheel points came out, you're not a beginer any more. LOL

Sunsup/Sandy

If you have a choice between templates and a cutting size I would always cut. It can be a pain making the templates unless you really have to. Go for it. Remember, "measure twice, cut once" !

Not to long ago I was a new beginner also, never in my live did I think I would ever make a quilt, then I found this Forum, first thing I did was buy El's Quilts though the Season DVD. She explains wonderful, then I bought her Morning Star rulers, I made so many Morning star quilts, and table runners that my DH. Asked if I could not make any other pattern, not that he didn't like the items I made, because with different fabric, the quilts all look different.
The other day I went to this site http://www.quiltbus.com/tabletopper.htm
Would you belive, I just finished this table runner for Christmas in red and green, in the middle square I machine embroidered a poinsettia, belive me, I am soooooooo proud of myself, now I get angry when my DH. Wants me to cook dinner, because all I want to do is quilt, quilt, quilt.
Herta