New to quilting

[aquasnow]

http://studioallegria.com/Images/Bento_Box.jpg

I have seen quilts made with the "bento box" pattern, and they look beautiful!

I was wondering if anyone can help give me advice on quilting in general? I am totally new to it and I dont even know where to start.  Can anybody share with me some good beginner links, or a good book I could start out with?

[Diane B.]

I was wondering if anyone can help give me advice on quilting in general? I am totally new to it and I dont even know where to start.  Can anybody share with me some good beginner links, or a good book I could start out with?

Hi,

I've written some "answers" to people asking the same basic question over at YahooAnswers, if you want to check them out.  They have info about the basics, as well as helpful links, and stuff like that.  (There may be some overlap in the answers, but each also has new info).  Look at least for my answers in each of these quesitons:

simple pattern ideas, easiest quilts, other info, plus baby quilts
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap.dZGcsx7OnCVMltm8eVmvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070610225929AA9GdXv
.... also:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj..zgsZAT_xERX8lb1pXNjty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070807081321AADEzdj
"quick turn" method (inside out method)... then bind, tie, or quilt
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj..zgsZAT_xERX8lb1pXNjty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070531101935AAemBUZ
"rotary cutters" and "self-healing" mats
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080409104104AApc86N
don't have to know "how to sew" first + how to learn to make quilts...websites...YouTu be, forums/Craftster....(+ reviews for sewing machines)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhmW0FRrP1mDq71D_yO5jvfsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090125034632AAMWPMo

(all other links + explanation of machine & hand quilting, also tying, if not already in links above)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091005161906AAhQaG0

YA internal search for beginner quilt[/i]
http://answers.yahoo.com/search/search_result;_ylt=AkbE6w.a8jzI2nsavttx6_DxxQt.;_ylv=3?p=beginner+quilt


HTH, and ask here about anything that gives you trouble or is confusing!

Diane B.

[Shelanie]

There is a ton of info on www.quiltingboard.c om I also frequent www.quilterscache.c om to look at block patterns. There are pictures of all the completed quilts linked to each block pattern. There are a ton of blogs all about quilts that are amazing. The Moda Bake Shoppe has so many great ideas. I could go on and on... Good luck!

[longHardlook]

I made a Bento Box quilt and came across these tutorials (after the fact!)
http://webpages.charter.net/cmladronka/bminorblock.htm
http://sonnetofthemoon.blogspot.com/2009/01/bento-box-quilt-step-1.html

best wishes!

[cjclark]

There is also a lot of great advice in the beginning quilting thread right here on this board..

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=6260.0

I think your best bet might be to start out with a small project - like a baby quilt and try some things out, find out what you can do easily, and what you need to learn more about. You will learn about using your 1/4 inch seam, how to make blocks and then how to sew your blocks together, making your quilt sandwich (putting top, batting and backing together) and basting, and then finally quilting and binding. A baby quilt is a good starter so you can learn and make mistakes without ruining/messing up/ripping apart a huge project.

You can look on http://www.quilterscache.com for some simple block patterns and even try out a few to make a sampler. Or go to the earlier listed bento box tutorials and try out a few blocks to make a baby quilt. Then, if you like it and can do it fairly well, move on to a bigger project.