15 Things I Didn't Know When I Started Quilting

A really good video!

Super Good Advice , Loved this Video

What a lovely video! Thank you

I had no idea on the importance of the right thread, thank you! I've made a few mistakes buying the right self heading cutting mat, too small or too big. I'm currently researching which presser & quilting feet I should buy. I didn't even think about local quilter circles. Much appreciation for this awesome video, your time and encouragement. I loved your "just do it" comment.

thank you so much for these tips! I’m working on my first quilt right now and this was a great pep talk!

I was tidying up an old cupboard recently and came across a patchwork quilt that my mum made on a singer treadle machine back when I was a child and I am 71 and it gave me the buzz to start a quilt of my own. My mum’s quilt was made with bits of material from dresses we wore as children and it brought back so many memories. I haven’t started yet but am in the process of building up my collection of things I need. My fear (or one of them) is the design - I am not a naturally creative person and a bit scared to take that first step. Your video has given me that confidence to take my first step. I will check out your tutorials. I live in Ireland and quilting is not as popular as it is in the US. It’s difficult to get books as a lot of companies don’t send to Ireland so it’s great to have the online guidance and encouragement from the likes of yourself. Thank you.

Thank you for the positive spirit you share!

I didn't now how to sew in straight lines. I still don't but I have a gadget that helps. This video is very useful thanks.

You're a breath of fresh air! Awesome piece. 😉

Love your positive attitude and encouragement!

I have watched this video a few times and always good to revisit.

I just started sewing & want to quilt but I started with a Janome machine for now. I never took home ec in school - I took typing instead lol.....great video - thank you - all the tips will help!

What a wonderful video, Stephanie! Every quilter needs to see this. I started quilting in order to use up old fabrics I did not want to toss and many of my 'masterpieces' fell apart in the wash or needed constant repair. Once I began using better fabrics I realized the difference and never looked back. Quilting is definitely a learning experience.

What needles to use hc 1850 brother help

Thanks so much for sharing!

Amazing tips Stephanie! Is there a brand name for the curved quilt safety pins?

I didn’t know about squaring up blocks! No one ever told me. Then my daughter took up the craft and I saw her squaring up a small block and asked her what she was doing. 😆 Wow! Did I feel dumb!

This concept has navigated right into my heart

I started my first quilt in 1968 (I'm currently 67). Nobody knew anything about quilts then. I hadn't even seen a quilt up close, I didn't have an instruction book. So I was making a 4 patch quilt. Knowing nothing about templates, I cut out a square, then laid it on fabric (my mom's scraps of all sorts from her sewing) and cut around the square. Eventually I got the top done and managed to attach the batting and backing by tying with a cord of some kind but horrible to get through the layers. I finished it right before heading to college in 1973. I loved that quilt, it had a lot of bright colors, was very scrapy as are most of my current quilts. Unfortunately, my first quilt didn't last long. Many years later while going through my quilting stuff I found some of the 4 patch blocks that had never made it into the quilt. I took them apart and discovered, 1. Much of the time I had been sewing with a basting stitch. My mom had an old straight stitch only Singer that was older than me and I didn't have a clue how to change the length of the stitches. 2. The pieces were sewn with all sorts of thread colors and types. 3. Each of the squares were different sizes and varied by 1/2" or more! 4. I had sewed upholstery fabric to lightweight crepe. I recut four of the pieces and sewed them together and have them as decoration in my sewing room. The fabric in that block is also leftover fabric from dresses I had made in Home Ec so those pieces sewn together have a lot of memories. At this point I can't remember how many quilts I have made after 50. I have bad arthritis so I don't sew/quilt as much as I used to and mostly only Project Linus quilts as I can't handle the weight of bigger quilts at all. I use a Janome Skyline 9 that has a button that lowers and raises the resser foot from the front. Using that saves my right arm and I can sew for about twice as long if not more than the about 15 minutes I could sew when I had to snake my right arm through the throat of the machine and to the back. Sometimes just one button can make a whole machine worth it. I made so many mistakes over the years and I am still learning.

My boyfriends grandmother taught me to quilt the first time I ever went to visit her and I fell in love so much that I taught both my sisters how to quilt we all have much to learn. Sadly I don’t get to visit grandma more than once a year due to distance and I’m so happy I get to learn some tricks here thank you for all you do ❤

You are Fantastic!! Thanks so much for your candid and honest comments about quilting. I’m just now dipping my toes in the “quilting water” after making bags, totes, book sleeves, and other personal items. I’m going to plug in to your videos & learn more! Thanks 😊

Instead of buying a new +$500 sewing machine ... look for 1940s, 50s, 60s all metal machines. Choose simple straight stitch machines for lower complexity. My personal favorite is a Singer 15-91 but there are fans of White, Kenmore, Necchi, Pfaff, etc. You can often find them under $50 locally already mounted in a fold-up table, then clean/oil/service as needed. Ask around family and friends to see if a vintage machine is left lurking unloved in closets/basements/garages and you might get a machine for free (get it cleaned and tuned up though).

Good video. I am a new quilter. Two other things I wish I knew when I started quilting. 1. Pin pieces when you sew. I cut precisely, but without pinning, my stitching for a log cabin square was just a little off. Pinning helped keep everything more accurate. 2. Use a dry iron. Do not use the steam. Steam can stretch the material and alter how the quilt comes out. Enjoy the journey.

Let me try this again! Thank you for the wonderful information and yes, I have a huge fear of the quilt police and I avoid that type of person.

Thank you, I just learned why stuff isn’t lining up, why I should be using the walking foot, who knew about the thread I didn’t, yep on the pressing. Teaching myself before I retire for an inside hobby, and yes a huge fear of the quilt police.

A really good sewing machine makes all the difference! My first machine cost about $450. That machine was AWFUL! I was cursing all the way when sewing garments. (I'm into garment and home decor sewing, but not quilting.) Well, after developing a real hate relationship with that machine, I bit the bullet and bought Bernina's top-of-the- line sewing machine. The difference was like day and night. That was at least 35 years ago, and that machine is still going strong! I did buy it from a fabric niche store, and I was able to get advice there, whereas purchasing from a big-box store that does not specialize in great fabric and great machines would have turned out to be frustrating. Great tools, though they will cost more, will pay for themselves over and over.
BTW...The owner of the store where I bought my Bernina was practically begging me to sell it back to him. Needless to say, that was a "no deal; no how; no way!"

You are a natural teacher and encourager. Thank you! 💕

I was in our local shop/quilter hangout when a “not so great” came in to be long armed for the quilt show, some comments were made but in the end, I simply stated, we’re here for a specific number of days and if you wanna put a not so great quilt in the show, DO IT.

I have never made a quilt, but I have some made by family members. I started a local quilting class, but stopped when I had to make a quilt I was not interested in making. Thank you for talking about that in this video. I will put in long hours learning something new, but there has to be a spark, a desire to make something that is unique to you. I learned a lot from your video, but some is still above my level having not really begun yet. It sounds like I need to start with your beginner series and perhaps I can skip some of the most common beginner mistakes. Thanks for the inspiration to give it a try.

Very informative. Thank you.

I am brand new at quilting at the ripe age of 68 years young. I absolutely loved this very informative video and embarrassed at the same time that I didn't know some terminology like sashing, however, I look forward to learning more on quilting.
I do want to use the best products as possible and I don't know name brands for things like proper thread, and is there a video on quilting properly on a budget.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated!!

Such a great video. Thank you.

I just found your videos, and I love them. One question from this one, I couldn't understand what you called the thread that you use. When I use cc, it says "but you cannot go wrong with our fill thread"!! Could you please tell me the name? Thanks so much!

I think your first quilt looks pretty good. Mine were awful!

Wow I just found you
Love your channel love the fabric choices
I am just now getting my room supplied for my quilting journey I am all over the place😢😮

So nice to have someone go over these kinds of problems. It helps you to not feel stupid!! I enjoyed the video very much...

I luv how you cheered your daughter on. Blessings to you and your family!!!

Thank you for your video. So what can I do if I have an older sewing machine for which there is no walking foot attachment and don't have the funds for a newer machine?

Hello, I loved this video. I am a self taught erratic quilter but my daughter wants me to make her a T-shirt quilt. Can you tell me how to get the tutorial for making one? Thanks, Jennie

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! MANY THANKS FOR ALL THE INFORMATION. IT IS A PITY THAT THE USA HAS SUCH FANTASTIC SHOPS. I LIVE IN THE UK.😊

What a fantastic video. I have just learnt 15 new things. Looking forward to starting my first quilt! Love and blessings x

I’m a quasai beginner. Took a class but life got in the way and stopped. I’ve got 2 unfinished quilts. Really want to get back into it, but wondering if I need to go back to a beginner class which was done by a quilt shop and I loved the instructor. Any advice whether I should maybe start another class or try to figure w it out on my own. Any advice would be appreciated !

Yes the fabric is so much better from a quilt shop
And I bought from quilting addict great place to buy

I absolutely loved this video!! THANK YOU

My nine-year-old granddaughter made her first quilt. it was all wonky and hot mess, but she loved it so much she threw the quilt I made off her bed and she sleeps with her quilt every night. I love it!

Hi, i'm Esther from milwaukee WI. I loved this video. i'm about to start my first quilt and this video is going to save my life.

Strip tease as much as you can????? 😮

Your husband is wrapped in your love with the quilt.