Replies

1. 
   Becky-book | Aug 07, 2006 04:07pm | #1

   Hi!

   Here is a link to a site that got me started on a quilt even though I thought I "could not" quilt.

   http://home.pmt.org/%7Eawalter/string.html

   Hope it helps you too!

   Becky

1. 
   brightstar | Aug 08, 2006 04:55am | #3

   thThank you I have started to understand some of the instructions. Please tell me what a walking or even=feed foot is and feed dogs up or down. darning foot. I have a regular foot which goes up and down and a zipper foot. brightstar

1. 
   Becky-book | Aug 08, 2006 04:10pm | #4

   Dear Brightstar,

   The "feed dogs" are those little "teeth" that move the fabric under the presser foot.  Up means they are working (doing their job) down means that you have switched a lever or pushed a button on your machine that lowers these teeth and they no longer come in contact with the fabric; so you are totally in charge of making the fabric move.  Not all machines have the capability to do this.

   A walking foot works like feed dogs for the top layer of the quilt "sandwich"; a regular (plain) foot tends to PUSH the top layer as the feed dogs PULL the bottom layer.  I do not have one either.

   A darning foot is another special foot (I don't have one) From the pictures I have seen they seem to be designed to allow greater hand control of the fabric.

   Simple quilting is possible with out these special tools, but may be easier with them.

   Becky

2. 
   Becky-book | Aug 07, 2006 05:04pm | #2

   After reading your question again, I realized I may have misunderstood you.

   Do you want instruction on "piecing" a quilt top, or the technique of sewing the "sandwich" together?  The word "quilt" is often used for both and can be confusing!

   Any two fabrics can be stitched together with a filler between them, the trick is to keep the layers from shifting as they go under the presser foot (if doing machine quilting).  What you want to make will change what advice I would give about how to do it; so that is one reason the books seem overwhelming, they are trying to answer all possible questions you might ask!

   Can you describe what you are trying to make?  I'll try to help!

   Becky

3. 
   MaryinColorado | Aug 27, 2006 09:04am | #5

   I suggest going to http://www.nancysnotions.com .  It is Nancy Zeiman's site.  She also has a sewing program on public television that is very helpful.  She has many quilting books and videos that you can purchase. 

   Also Alex Anderson, a famous quilter, has a website that you can "google" search by her name.  I think she has Podcasts that are informative.

   The Bernina website also has lots of info.

   http://www.equilter.com has a forum which is almost exclusively about quilting.  I have bought fabric and such from them also.  They have many books on the subject.

   I would not try quilting with the feed dogs down yet.  That is free motion quilting which is great fun but better for after you get the basics down.  That is when you would use the darning foot.

   There are so many ways to quilt.  Piecework requires accurate measuring.  Crazyquilting is quick, fun, easy and can be embellished so many fun ways. Whole quilts are not pieced but one large piece of fabric like the traditional Hawaiian ones.

   I learned to quilt by getting a softcover book on making 101 potholders.  It has many quilting designs in it and was a very inexpensive way to learn.  I confess, I have not really made many potholders but it was a great way to learn this.  I enjoyed it but then learned crazyquilting and freemotion work and am still experimenting with that.

   Also: placemats, trivets, tablecovers,baby and child sized quilts and throws, Christmas stockings,and purses are fun projects for learning any new techniques.  Less frustration than a large project, and quick to finish and feel like you accomplished something.  Also if you don't like the results, it is not such a big investment and can be gifted or donated to someone who would appreciate it. 

   Hope you have as much fun as I have with quilting.  I never expected to like it and now I am really hooked on the techniques.  I have not made anything larger than twin sized quilts to this day although I started this adventure after designing a King sized quilt years ago.....