If you have always dreamed of making quilts for your family and friends then you should. Quilt making doesn’t have to be complicated and the best way to get started is to find out what you need and have a go. I understand that it can be daunting  starting out, so the best thing to do is to get some help in the way of quilting classes.

The exciting news is that this process has now become a lot easier.

No matter where you live in the world, quilting classes are now at your fingertips. And you can make a start today. Claim a free copy of my quilt making video, with over 40 minutes of viewing, it could be just what you need to get you off and running, how exciting.

Go to http://www.stitchingcowquilting.com today.

There’s something very wonderful abut cutting up bits of fabric and sewing them back together again, even though to a non sewer if sounds quite ludicrous.

There are so many aspects of quilting and patchwork that are enjoyable.
It’s difficult to pin point just one reason why this hobby has become a passion for so many woman and an integral part of their lives.
Maybe the task is a difficult one because there is “no one reason”.

Patchwork and quilting means different things to different woman.

For some the pleasure is gained in the pure bliss of creating something new,in the challenge of working with new fabrics and colors. For others the pleasure is gained from the relaxing nature of sewing, whether by machine or by hand.
Many take comfort from the notion that they are making quilts to hold onto their family history. Making a hand sewn heirloom quilt to be passed down through the family can give a sense of remembrance for someone.

Taking up patchwork and quilting can also provide new found friendships, offering many benefits such as sharing of skills and information, as well as gaining support and encouragement.

Swaps are also becoming a popular way for quilting and patchwork enthusiasts  from all around the world
to gain joy from the act of giving.

For these reasons quilting and patchwork will remain part of our culture, and will continue to be enjoyed by countless numbers of woman.

It seems that many woman lack confidence in their own sewing abilities because of negative experiences they have encountered in the past.
Over the years many woman have relayed their personal stories to me and each time I have been moved and saddened by them. Not because of their horrid nature but because they have resulted in stifling the creativity of so many woman.

Most of the  stories were of nasty school sewing teachers. Many of whom dished out nothing but criticism and impatient words. Words that have been vividly remembered to this day.

What make me mad is that these experiences have had lasting affects. They have prevented many woman from
trying new sewing skills or even picking up a needle and thread for fear of producing something less than perfect.
It’s this whole concept of perfection that annoys me the most.

Whilst I appreciate fine workmanship I don’t believe than the fulfillment and joy of quilt making should get lost in the pursuit of the perfect quilt. In fact I don’t think there is such a thing anyway, nor should we aspire to it.

The journey of making a quilt can bring countless hours of joy.

Not to mention the warmth that can be felt when you make a quilt for someone you love. This is the important stuff of life. Not the perfect seam or the even spacing of the quilting stitches.

Making a quilt should be fun and it can be with the right attitude and the right help along the way.

I had always admired quilts, even as a young child they caught my eye when I saw them in books and magazines.I marveled at the colors and the amazing patterns that had been created from small pieces of fabric. And I wondered about their creators, the woman who had sewn each little stitch holding them together.

Then one day I decided to have a go at this age old technique myself, I mean to say…how hard could it be?

Looking back now on some of my first quilting projects is very amusing.
My early quilt making experiences were varied, although I can say that each of them was very memorable. And my fondest memory is that despite not knowing much about the whole quilting process,
I enjoyed each quilting project immensely.

My results were far from perfect, yet I kept fronting up for more. I had not learned the tips and tricks of quilt making at this stage, but I didn’t seem to care too much, nor did the happy recipients of my quilting gifts.
Then one day I realized I had the “quilting bug”, I was showing all the signs. I was secretly hoarding quilting fabric away in my cupboard. I was always looking for new quilt patterns despite having half finished, hidden quilt projects everywhere. I was even escaping on the weekend and traveling for miles to attend quilting shows and fairs. And I was seeking out other quilting buddies to spend time with. They understood my quill making passion and I felt normal again.
Yes I definatly had the quilting bug and I had never been happier!

Perhaps you have children or grandchildren that you would like to sew a quilt for, or maybe you are looking for a hobby that you can enjoy.

My interest in learning how to make a quilt was sparked when I caught sight of a beautiful quilt in a lifestyle magazine that I fell in love with and desperately wanted to make for my bedroom. Whatever the reason, learning how to make a quilt does not have to be difficult. You just have to set your mind to it.

There is so much information available today that it is easy to become overwhelmed. I think starting is by far the most difficult step. So let me help you.

Here are my tips for learning how to make a quilt:

1) Do some research and find a picture or pattern of a quilt you would like to make. If you are a beginner choose an easy pattern that is not too complicated. Some patterns are marked with a degree of difficulty rating. As a guide avoid quilt patterns with lots of piecing or triangles.

You will also need to decide whether you want to construct your quilt by hand or with a sewing machine. Libraries, craft magazines, the internet and patchwork and quilting shops are all great places to begin looking.

2) Educate yourself and master some simple sewing skills. Enroll in a workshop, buy a quilt making video, or some “how to quilt making” books to help get you started.

3) Buy some basic quilt making equipment. This will help to make your first quilt making experience a good one. A 1/4″ foot for your sewing machine, a rotary cutter, cutting mat and quilting ruler are all recommended.

4)Don’t get hung up on all the details and your sewing skills at this stage, be prepared to make a few mistakes along the way. I’m sure the recipient of the quilt will not notice a few imperfections.Quilt making should be fun so don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t get struck by “analysis paralysis”, accept that you will not know every quilt making trick before you start.

5) And as the saying goes “Just do it”, dust off the sewing machine, start cutting up your fabrics, pin well, sew seams using a 1/4″ allowance and press all seams with a hot iron.

The best way to learn how to make a quilt is to make a quilt,  learn from your quilt making experience and then make another. Before long you will be having the time of your life making fabulous quilts for your family and friends.

how to make a quilt

I fondly remember the first quilt I ever made. My father returned home from a trip away with some sample books. They were being thrown away, and Dad who is also a create soul decided that they should be put to some sort of useful purpose.

The sample books contained squares of woolen fabrics, the type used for men’s suiting and women’s skirts. He had salvaged about 5 of them and I can remember pondering over the different colors and textures with interest. My mother who is an avid knitted was not interested in fabrics, so the mission of creating something wonderful lay on my shoulders. I was about fifteen at the time and knew nothing about quilt making, yet a quilt seemed to be the obvious choice for this task at hand.

Armed with Mum’s old sewing machine, a pair of dress making scissors and some thread I set to work. I had no quilt making information or pattern, and no overall concept of what I was making. Despite this fact my first quilt started to take shape. Even though the sewing was uneven and the squares were far from geometric I remember being as proud as punch. I also remember the proud look my father gave me for creating something special from items destined for the trash bin.

This first quilt was much loved for a while. I had two other sisters and we all used it to snuggle under whilst watching television. However, to my dismay, the unthinkable started to happen. My pride and joy quilt started to tear at the seams. I was very disappointed although not very surprised!

If you’re  interested in quilt making you will probably know and understand what happened. Woolen fabrics are by no means  ideal quilt making fabrics. This added with  my  poor sewing and construction technique were both factors resulting in the short life of my quilt.

But somehow this first quilt had sparked my enthusiasm and I was not about to let it go. The only solution was to have another go at quilt making. And my plan was to create a quilt that I could put over the top of my first one. My reasoning was that in some strange way my first quilt could live on.

You can find about more about this quilt and the next one I created in my free quilt making  DVD.

Can you remember your first quilt, and do you still have it?