Ditzyprints

I am a new quilter and jumped in with a six block (one row) pillow topper, basically I modified a table runner pattern. I hope you find you LOVE to quilt!

VickageDC

There's something to be said for taking a beginner series on quilting from a regular quilt shop. It might cost more than a quick class at Joanns, but you get what you pay for. The shops near me all seem to have some kind of "Quilting 101" that walks you through everything from accurate cutting with a rotary cutter to reading patterns to piecing to finishing. I've seen too many people who get frustrated because their quilts don't look as nice as the picture on the pattern because they overlook things like consistent 1/4 seams or cutting on the straight of grain.

QuiltnLady1

There are beginners classes on line -- here is an interesting site with links to a lot of others: http://www.quilthowto.com/Online_Qui...nner_Tips.html

letawellman

As someone else mentioned, Jenny Doan's tutorials on YouTube are terrific!! For me, back when I started quilting 30+ years ago, Elinor Burns' "Quilt in a Day" books were like my Bible - I went to them all the time. I started with her Morning Star book, and made lap quilts for my kids... then got her Log Cabin quilt and made twin size quilts for my kids' beds.
I would say that lap quilts will get you the "feel" of quilting (better than a table runner, I think), without being as overwhelming as a larger quilt. And, yes, if you have access to a "real life" class, by all means, take it. Often when you take a class, you will get a discount on the supplies (rotary cutter, mat, rulers - fabric and pattern).
I ALWAYS use a pattern - I'm way too much OCD to try to "wing it".
Good luck, and be warned - this is an ADDICTIVE hobby!! But you will definitely be in "good company" with the rest of us!!

tron80

Welcome from Madrid Spain!