MadQuilter

That's what I used to learn different techniques. I love that book.

vjengels

I did my 1 and only sampler quilt when I first started quilting using a magazine called Sampler Quilts, I think by Quilts magazine. nice uncomplicated instructions, too bad I didn't know anything about the color wheel then.... it wouldn't just be the hand quilting I love on that one......

MadQuilter

Quilts Quilts Quilts actually builds on the basic straight seams and adds a building block (Y-seam) and a drunkard's path (curved seam) toward the end of the book. I had no problem with them because I was not overwhelmed with challenges straight out of the gate.

texasannie

Hey, I am also into genealogy, and the Farnsworth is part of my family....do you have any Jameson's in your history?????

medots

2 books I like are Around the Block and Once More Around the Block.. I have made several quilts from them. Good luck. Marilee

mpeters1200

My last 3 quilts have all been samplers directly from quilter's cache. I made one 60 inches square that had 9 different blocks in it. 2 applique, one curved/convex block. Some had triangles, some regular straight piecing. After the 9 blocks, I learned something walking away from that quilt....skills I will use to make many more quilts.

The one big thing I see from quilter's cache that I don't see in a lot of the books mentioned is speed piecing. Some books have you cut out squares and draw one line, sew on each side, cut on line and you end up with 2 half square triangle blocks. That is a good method to make them, but I like the speed piecing in quilter's cache much more. You can take two rectangles and make as many as 8 hst units from the rectangles. I find them easier to cut than some of the squares. Just my opinion though.

When you make a sampler, start small. Make a couch throw or whatever with 9 blocks. You will learn something and at the same time, you won't be overwhelmed either.

If there are any blocks you like after making the sampler, you can go back and with a little multiplication, that is explained very well on her site, you can make whole quilts with the one block.

bstanbro

My second quilt was "Make Your First Quilt," by M'Liss Raw Hawley. It's a nice quilt, a large lap size, with nine different blocks. It taught me a whole lot--the nine blocks, sashing, cornerstones, and borders. It's a lot packed into a nice project.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Quilt-ML...366430&sr=1-10

GailG

That book and the book that follows it are my very favorite books. When I need help with a technique, I go to those books.

mrsbee

I STARTED WITH POT HOLDERS, NOW I'VE GOT ABOUT 20 TOPS DOWN BUT NOT FINISHED. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. OR TURNING TWENTY. ARE GOOD JUST READ IT SLOW,THATS WHAT I HAVE TO DO. SOMETIMES I READ INTO A PATTERN, AND MY SISTER SAY BREAKE IT DOWN INTO SMALL PARTS. THAT WAY YOU DON'T MANIC LIKE I DO LOL

Pamela Artman

I teach a beginners class using a 12 block sampler. I start with a 9-patch, and then a rail fence, checkerboard and log cabin. Those use squares and strips. Then I make a shoo fly block using triangles. Each block teaches new techniques and progresses to y-seams, curves, and finally applique. I wrote out the directions for each block. My avatar is the sampler and also I have posted a larger picture on here. If you are interested, I can send you the instructions for each block. Just PM me!