learn how to quilt

I want to learn how to make American style patch work quilts.?

I’m going to get some instruction books off Amazon, but I just wondered if there were any quilters out there who wanted to explain why they took it up and how they get inspiration for new quilts? I’m 23 and English and I don’t have anyone to teach me or tell about it.

I’m 39 and I’ve been quilting for about 4 years. It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn (I’ve been a fabric addict since birth), and I finally just bit the bullet and took a class. For me, the class was absolutely worth the money because I could see what was happening and ask questions right away. We used a book called “Start Quilting with Alex Anderson.” You can get it at Amazon for about $10 – it’s just a thin book, but it teaches the basics. I machine piece and quilt – if you’re interested in hand piecing and quilting, she has another book geared toward hand quilting. I also recommend “The Quilter’s Ultimate Visual Guide” as a reference book. It doesn’t have projects, but has the answer to every question you can think of. Quilt in a Day/Eleanor Burns is another good resource. She has dozens of books out and they have the most detailed, well illustrated instructions. Her book “Still Stripping After 25 Years” is a great choice because it ranges from the simplest beginner quilts to more complicated intermediate blocks. A little trick – take your softcover books to a copy center and have them cut the bindings off and put a spiral binding on for you. You can lay the books flat, or fold them back to the page you need.

Check out the HGTV website for videos of the show Simply Quilts. Also look at QNNTV for more videos.

As for inspiration – it comes from everywhere. The internet is fantastic – just google “quilt” and click “Images” to see thousands of photos of quilts. Search for “quilt” in any of the online photo sites, like Webshots, Photobucket, Flickster, and dozens of others. There are many magazines out there and several do have international subscription options. One of my favorites is Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting. There’s a lot of wonderful free stuff available on their website.

Look into the Yahoo Groups – there are many quilting groups that have members from England, Australia, Scotland, and all over the world.

Some quilters love the process but are a little intimidated by choosing fabrics. I have a file of magazine advertisements that have interesting color combinations. Professionals designed these, and I figure they know more about color theory than I ever will. Other quilters will find a print fabric and match the other fabrics to the colors in the print. Sometimes they don’t even use the print in the finished quilt – it’s just an inspiration piece.

Block of the Month Club

Consider the convenience of a Block of the Month Quilt Club. You will save a lot of time, money and stress, and this method is especially great for beginner quilters. The BOM provides a starting point and working a block at a time builds skills and confidence. Once you have selected your Look for projects that are recommended for beginners.

Now you too can enjoy creating special “one of a kind” quilts that your loved ones will treasure, from our original Quilt Block of the Month Club Patterns.

• Do you feel like you are always looking for a quilt to make that is different … and that bit extra special?
• Are you frustrated by other quilt patterns that all look a bit the same?
• Do you want to be the envy of all your friends and make a quilt that will have all your friends talking?
• Sick of prowling the shops and craft magazines, looking for exciting and original quilt patterns?
• Would you like to get the latest quilt patterns, cheaply and easily, delivered right to your desktop?

Annette and Jody are a mother and daughter team that share their passion and love of designing and creating quilts.

They have made many quilts from others’ patterns, but are always searching for more striking and unusual designs or traditional ideas with a “twist” to make quilts a bit more special.

Annette and Jody have been designing their own quilts for years and are happy to share their unique quilts with you.

The Quilt Block of the Month Club is an Online Club for quilters to access a large range of stunning new quilt patterns, hints and tips and MANY FREE bonus projects, and also to meet fellow quilters from around the world.

Annette and Jody provide the patterns and suggestions, and you create the masterpiece – with your choice of fabrics, colors and embellishments.

“Now you too can enjoy creating special “one of a kind” quilts that your loved ones will treasure, from our original Quilt Block of the Month Club Patterns… exclusive quilt designs you won’t find anywhere else.”