I know there are a lot of your quilters out there, because I sent out 25 books about quilting in the past month.  What are you quilting now?  How did you get interested?  I'm not much of a quilter myself but love having them and am always interested in talking about them.  I've done a little, just not a lot.   Do any of you have quilts that were handed down to you from your mothers or grandmothers?  Come on out wherever you all!!

I want to learn.  I am really interested in making a quilt of random pieces of fabric, sewn by hand, and then embroidering a tale on it, with people and animals - then backing it and quilting it.  I'm not sure if that technique has a real name, or what to look for in books.  Any ideas?

My best friend machine-made a beautiful quilt when J was born - all bright colors and Batiked fabrics.  It's a lizard motif and is quilted in a lizard pattern - just darling!

I am thinking that is called a Story Quilt L - but am not sure.  There are a lot of patterns that use random blocks of fabric, if you are the type that needs a pattern.  I like your idea.

I've been a serious quilter for about 15 years, but I've loved them since I can remember. I have a couple of my Grandmother's. I also collect vintage quilts and quilt tops at auctions and from Ebay. I've got so many now that I think I'm going to have to limit myself to quilts with indigo fabric (my  favorite). I also love to swap blocks and have tons from different  groups I've belonged to...I really need to get some of them put together. I seem to do better at collecting than actually getting one finished!

L, that sounds like  it could be crazy quilting? I hope to do some of that one of these days.

L., it is called story quilting. I think you would love a book called Quilted Memories: Celebrations of Life by Mary Lou Weidman. It's full of color photos of brightly colored quilts made just like the one you described. It's a hardback published by C&T Publishing in 2001. I'd send you mine, but I'm not ready to part with it! Maybe you can find a used copy or get one at the library.

I've been a quilt-maker for 25 years and find it hard to break away from the structure of blocks now -- good for you for wanting to start with a quilt like that -- free form should be much easier for a new quilter. Good luck!

I am a wannabe quilter.  I ordered a Quilting book from you Coz because this is a hobby I'm yearning to learn.  I'm somewhat afraid to learn because I'm one of those crafters that needs to get every bit of info and tool that goes with it.. and I know quilting can be spendy!

But I love the idea of creating something so beautiful and individual that can so easily become a beloved heirloom.  Perhaps thats the pregnant lady in me already in 'nesting' mode.. haha!

I'd love to find someone in my area that would barter my facials for quilting lessons.  But until then... I'm just a wannabe quilter.  =0)

Rachel, may I suggest you look into classes at some of the quilt shops in your area.  I took a very basic class and learned so much.  That also would be a good place to begin networking, with the idea of bartering your skills for quilting skills. 

I agree about finding a class at a quilt shop, at least to get you started. You could also check out www.quiltuniversity.com. Lots of online classes and I'm pretty sure there is a class for beginners.

Thanks for the suggestions ladies... I'll check that out...  =0)  Wish me luck!

I want to learn to quilt too. I have a couple of family quilts that are block patterns. I love the way the different shapes form stars, etc. but I really want to make a crazy quilt out of rich colors and soft materials like velvet. I'd like to try a picture quilt too, not of a person but of scenery. A friend of mine has a wall hanging that makes you think of the ocean, waves breaking on the rocks. It's just beautiful art. I think taking a basic class is the way to go and one day I will do that.

I've been quilting since 1978 (started when I was a wee one...lol).  You could always check out www.quiltville.com Bonnie Hunter's site. She is amazing with all her suggestions and patterns, a lot which are VERY easy.  I love to do string quilts (another site is www.heartstringsproject.org) which is a project for charity, but the concept it listed on both of the above sites. I'm more of a 'fly by the seat of your pants' kind of quilter. I never have done anything bigger than a small twin/large couch quilt size as I find I get interrupted and somehow end up with another UFO (unfinished objects) to add to my  already growing pile.

I love the art quilts and am not the traditional quilter, although I have done traditional blocks, just use fabrics that make the blocks 'move' in directions they didn't know they could move in... sort of like old people on electro-shock therapy.

Hope you can find some inspiration on these sites. ... I'll have to check out what you list has on it CozSnShine

I love Bonnie's Quiltville site! I have a scrappy String X quilt from there in progress. I was hoping to have it done in time to enter in our county fair, but it doesn't look like that'll happen. I'm a pretty traditional quilter, not enough imagination to do art quilts.

I've been quilting about 10 years now.  I haven't made a lot of quilts tho since mine are 100% by hand, piecing and quilting.  If I'm not reading I'm quilting. 

My Grandmother made me a quilt when I was married the first time 1963, I was a baby, 16.  I used the quilt and since it is mostly white used a lot of bleach on it, now sadly it is very wore.  It is a dutch girl, so I'm cutting the girls out and framing each for members of my family.

Jenny Beyer is my hero.

ruthie

Hello All!.. 25 quilting books you say!!.. Dang!... That is what I would like to get if possible, quilting books.  I too am a quilter and new to PBS. Soooo... Let me know Cuz when you post more of them.. please!!!!

I have been quilting for about 4 years now but have only finished 1. I kept buying more and more fabric until I had so much that I had to stop and start cutting. It is a very large quilt. It fits a king bed very nicely.

Is there a way that we can post pictures of the quilts we've made?

And be sure to watch some of the quilting shows on PBS.  Those are excellent.  I'm not really a quilter although I know many of the techniques since I've been sewing all my life, but I enjoy watching those quilting shows as well as Nancy Zieman's "Sewing With Nancy."

I've been quilting since 2001...tried a few classes a few years prior to that but then fizzled. started back in 2001 with a new friend. currently doing 'round robins' where you form a group of 6 women and make am edallion then pass in order so each person does a border. we meet  every 6-8 weeks and show all but the owner of the quilt our border then at the end(ours is htis sunday!) we see our quilt finished (except for the q uilting!)

I like machine piecing/machine quilting since I'm a hurry up kind of gal! I have ongoing projects and also finish some from time to time LOL!

Hi Quiters, I have been reading Emily Richards books Wedding Ring, Endless Chain,Lover's Knot. They are great stories about life and quilts. I would like to learn about the history of quilts, I was wondering if there is a book you would recommend.  I have looked into starting quilting,it seems hard. I have seem you can do it by hand or Machine. It looks wonderful but very complicated.

Thanks  for all your help.

I hand piece and quit most of the time, altho I will sit at the machine once in a while.  My Grandmother didn't teach me to quilt but I learn the lov eof it from  her.  iF  I'm not quilting I'm uaually reading. 

Lots of places on line to get great info.

ruthie

Sadly my 35 year old sewing machine has given out and I am going to get a new machine. What brand/type of machine do you all use? I am looking for suggestions. One feature I would like is the ability to quilt. I am not a quilter yet but plan to take it up soon. Any positive/negative information would help. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the choices and information out there.

Thanks!

Ruthie, the story of your Dutch girl quilt prompted me to write about my great-grandmother's quilts.

Two years ago, my mom and dad salvaged blocks of squares from some of my great-grandmother's quilts.  They framed 3 quilt squares together in beautiful oak frames.  They added old fashioned, mismatched, brass, glass, and porcelain knobs along the bottom of the frame.  Voila!  Coat rack!  Each grandchild and great-grandchild got an heirloom and a practical gift all in one.  It's priceless.

I have made a quite a few small quilts, mostly baby size or lap size.  One was a wall hanging for holding Christmas cards.  I have pieced and sandwiched 2 bed size quilts (one twin, one full), but I have yet to quilt them!  One is for my daughter; the other for my parents.  They are very patient with me.  My very first quilt was a t-shirt quilt, sort of a history of my husband's and my lives before we were married.  (It was a GREAT way to 'get rid of' those t-shirts he had from his single days!)

L.G., if you're interested in quilts that tell a story, check out a few books by Faith Ringgold.  They are children's picture books, and your son may enjoy them as well.  My kids LOVED these books, and made their own story quilts (placemat size) a couple of years ago.  There's also The Quiltmaker's Gift, and its sequel that I can't seem to recall at the moment.  Oh, and The Josefina Story Quilt set in the American pioneer days.

Happy quilting, everyone!

~Jori

Kathy - I absolutely love my Janome QC6260 (quilter's companion series).  They have 3 models in the QC series - 6015, 6126 and 6260.  All are great and come with the quilting extras (walking foot, 1/4" seam foot, etc.).  Absolutely wonderful machines.  I started with the 6126 (I think that's the number - it's the middle one at any rate) and upgraded to the 6260 after 6 months - my local quilt shop offers a 100% upgrade within 6 months meaning if you pay $250 for your machine then if you buy an upgrade within 6 months you get a full $250 toward the new machine.  Couldn't pass up that deal! It's great for "regular"/apparel type sewing as well and even has 6 button hole stitches.  Lots of nice decorative stitches as well.

'Hope you find a machine you like.

Pamela

Thanks Pamela, I'd seen the Janome brand in my 'quest' but couldn't find any reviews on it and your recommendation and information is very helpful. Compared to other brands it seems like they are a very reasonable price with great features.

Kathy