Everyone's a Beginning Quilter Once
I was on Facebook the other day and was very sad to read a post by a beginning quilter expressing her discouragement and frustration. After seeing all the posts by more accomplished quilters and having had several of her quilts critiqued rather harshly, she was at the point where she didn’t think she wanted to quilt anymore. I have heard similar comments at quilt shows. People standing in front of a quilt and instead of finding inspiration, find themselves feeling a little inadequate and overwhelmed. People should leave a quilt show excited and inspired; wanting to rush home and quilt something, not so discouraged they never want to quilt again.
I’m not suggesting that people who quilt for show should simplify their work. Half the fun of show quilting for me is the challenge. Over the last 10 years the bar has been raised to ridiculous heights, and I love it. Being constantly challenged to up my game inspires me to keep trying to perfect more and more difficult techniques and to design increasingly intricate quilts. What I want people to consider is that nobody starts at this level we all start as a beginning quilter.
Quilts that are for show or even many of the posts that you see on Facebook are quilted by a professional or expert quilter (people who design patterns, quilt for hire, or make a large portion of their income entering shows, or even just those who have been quilting for decades). Most of these people are not quilt savants. They did not start out making these gorgeous, intricate, complicated quilts. I know I didn’t.
I started sewing when I was in grade school. In 4H, during middle school, I making the obligatory dresses and skirts. I continued sewing garments through high school and actually helped pay for college making custom suits and doing alterations for people, but I didn’t quilt. I made the occasional “baby blankets” that I guess were technically quilts (i.e. top, batting, backing) but they were mostly straight-line piecing of squares and were generally tied. Free motion quilting wasn’t even in my vocabulary let alone my skill set.
I made my first “real” quilt after I got married. At this time I was working as a nurse on the Navajo Reservation in Chinle, AZ. I worked four on, three off, and then three on, four off; 12 hour shifts. I need to explain a little about Chinle. The closest town is Gallup, NM, 90 miles away. This was also the closest place to get your hair cut or even find a Walmart. Chinle has a gas station, a feed store, a couple of motels for the tourists, and a convenience store. That’s it. I grew up in rural Nebraska, so I thought I understood living in the middle of nowhere. I was wrong.
Where I’m from free range meant everybody went out once a year and rounded up all the cattle to brand and then had a big party. In Chinle, it meant the cattle had the right of way. My husband’s job was to chase the cattle off the dirt runway so that we could land the medical transport plane. Needless to say, there wasn’t a lot of things to do when you weren’t at work. We put 100,000 miles on a dodge neon the year we were there, and I started sewing quilts. Or, I should really say, I started piecing tops. The concept of actually quilting them came later.
When I first started piecing, I thought “no problem, I know how to sew. I’ve been doing it for years”. I figured quilting couldn’t be that much different from sewing clothes. Boy was I wrong. Turns out ¼” seam allowance is actually more than just a suggestion, and accurate cutting is really important. Not that seam allowances and accurate cutting aren’t important in fabric making, but there is a lot more wiggle room when you are sewing clothes. I made a lot of mistakes as a beginning quilter, but I learned from everyone of them.
I pieced my first quilt top almost 20 years ago, and it was probably a little ambitious, but it was what I wanted to make. My husband looked through the quilting books I had bought and picked out the pattern. It was a combination of bear paw blocks and blocks that look like polar bears (not a pattern for a beginning quilter LOL).
My long seams are not particularly straight or even. My seams don’t line up and we aren’t even going to talk about my points, but I was really proud of it. I look at it now, and think how far I have come, but I’m still happy with it. I wonder if I had started quilting today, if I would still feel that way. Back then I didn’t have a guild or Facebook to share my project with, so I didn’t have anything to compare it too. I also didn’t have any “helpful” people explaining to me how to “fix” my quilt.
Don’t get me wrong. I think that the ability to share ideas and techniques with so many different people is totally awesome. We just need to remember that not everybody is at the same level and sharing is not necessarily an invitation for critiques/criticism. I have an awesome customer who makes t-shirt quilts for each of her kids/grandkids. She is in her 80’s and almost blind. The tops are not flat or straight, and her seams are occasionally a little wonky, but she’s having fun and her family absolutely love them. Who am I to “teach” her the “correct” way to quilt.
The same goes for a lot of my customers. When I ask what their quilting/thread preferences are they say “whatever you think. You’re the expert”. I always tell them that I’m happy to suggest, but it’s their quilt. If someone wants me to quilt purple variegated thread all over their hand applique, I will probably gently suggest it wouldn’t be my first choice. But ultimately, it’s their quilt. I’m never going to see it again. If it makes them happy, that’s all that counts.
Back to that first quilt top. I will admit it was another 10 years before I got around to quilting it. At first, I toyed with the idea of hand quilting it, but I don’t have the patience. I have hand quilted a total of two quilts in my entire career and I have nothing but respect for hand quilters, but it’s not for me. My hand quilting looks a lot like Morse code you know dot, dot, dot…. dash, dash, dash. It wasn’t until I got my long arm that I actually started quilting my tops. I already knew I didn’t have the patience to hand quilt and I never seemed to have the coordination to quilt on my domestic. When I got my longarm, I knew this was the only way to quilt, for me. This doesn’t mean there wasn’t a learning curve, however.
I was very fortunate that several of my first longarmed quilts were juried into major shows. Don’t think that this had very much to do with my quilting skills. It didn’t. It had everything to do with my photography skills. Anything will lie flat and hang straight if you nail it to the wall before you photograph it.
My quilt “Passionately Purple” was one of these quilts. Note the cross hatching which is not even remotely straight or even. Also, I learned it is a good idea when you have been piecing together purple blocks to remember to switch to white thread when you add the white setting blocks. Who knew?
I decided with the next quilt that I would do a whole cloth so I didn’t have to mess with piecing. Still hadn’t quite figure out how to do straight cross hatching, but I was getting better. Eight years later I’m still working on it.
The only real difference between me and a beginning quilter is several thousand hours of practice.
When I teach classes people frequently tell me they will never be able to quilt like me. I always tell them that’s not true. Anyone can learn to quilt like I do. Just spend the next 5 years quilting 40-50 hours a week, and you can do it too.
In the meantime, if you are a beginner, enjoy yourself. Have fun with your creations and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. Remember they all started where you are once too, and if you are a more accomplished quilter, try to remember what it was like to be a newbie. Enjoy the process. Remember it’s all about the journey.
I love Quilts, I love to see the work of others, I’m not intimidated by the negative thoughts of others. As long as a sewer enjoys his or her quilt making that’s all that matters.
Attending a fab quilt meeting snapped me out of depression
I realized I was starved for creative women
Their modern quilts were pieces of art.I am still a beginner but an inspired one.
It is the journey not the destination.
Blessings
Glad you found a group to help you find inspiration. Hope you have lots of fun quilting.
I love “nail it to the wall”! Made me chuckle while drinking my morning coffee. Your background story is fascinating and you inspire me to try new things. Thanks for this post.
Glad you enjoyed it. In case you think that was a joke, it’s not. I really do fasten them to the wall to take pictures. Glad I can be an inspiration. Hope you can come take a class some day.
All my early quilts are hanging in my parents’ B&B. “Please take that off the wall” is met with great resistance (and usually a hearty laugh). Every visit is a reminder of my beginnings and to be encouraging to beginners as others were to me. Unlike learning how to walk, we should all be able to remember our struggles in learning how to quilt.
I’m in the same situation. My mom own more of my quilts than I do. I have to go borrow them back from her when I do a trunk show. I really enjoy seeing how far I have come and it encourages me to keep working to get better.
I love your comments – we all start somewhere – I started my quilting journey almost ten years ago; to this day my children refer to me as not a quilter but a topper because I can follow a pattern and piece all day – the idea of batting and quilting scares me to bitts. But I’m trying and learning – starting with very simple straight line quilting and stitching in the ditch. I love looking at those I made from start to finish and think to myself a job well done – next. Quilting anchors me in a happy place – it’s the perfect way to start the day.
Thanks. It’s ok just to be a “topper”, I make a living with people that like to “quilt by credit card”. As long as you are having fun, and enjoying yourself, that’s all that counts. If you are interested, I teach several classes not just on how to quilt but on how to decide what to quilt. Hope to see you some day. In the mean time, keep going to that happy place, that’s all the matters.
Where are your classes held?
I teach at a variety of shows and guilds. Check out the classes link to see my current schedule.
Thank you, this is such a great article. I stopped quilting for about a year and a half after a negative experience, in which I was taking a class and the teacher basically snubbed me because I was using a ‘cheapo’ sewing machine and she didn’t like the more ‘modern’ fabric I got from a different shop. She ended up being really rude and telling me she couldn’t help me, so I sat in the class, feeling like an idiot. I was brand new to quilting. I was humiliated and put the machine away. I started quilting again finally, but will not share my work, generally, and and guarded about asking for advice. I feel fortunate I was finally able to quilt again and don’t want to risk another experience like that.
The people in the shop also pressured me to buy certain fabrics so that I could make a ‘proper’ quilt and would act ‘shaming’ when I picked out a fabric they didn’t feel would go with the quilt. Needless to say, I don’t ask for advice anymore.
Thanks again for your article…?
Morgan, I’m sorry you dealt with such horrible quilters! Most really aren’t that way. If you aren’t already a member, please join one of these Facebook groups: Quilting Space, Quilting For Beginners, and/or What’s Stitchin’. A lot of great quilters there, meant are new and many are experienced. I am new to quilting and these groups inspire me! Let’s go through this journey together! -Rhonda
I’m really sorry you had such a bad experience. I hope you can come take a class with me some day. I don’t care what level anyone is at, I just want them to have a fun, happy learning experience. Plus I always bring chocolate. LOL. Don’t pay any attention to the people at the shop either. I’m sure some people will be scandalized to hear this, but I buy most of my show quilt fabric at Joann’s. It’s conveniently located and I like their stuff. Please feel free to share anything with me you want. I would love to see it.
Yes someone who knows expensive doesn’t necessarily mean great.
Lol…I showed up with my costco machine and was shamed once, but I went somewhere else and it never happened again. I am thinking of investing in a new sewing machine, but my beginner machine is still going strong..haha
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I sewed on an old brother until it died.
I love your article. I am new to Bloglovin’ and just searched how, funny, looking for blog spots for hand quilting! LOL.
I have been quilting for about 20 years, with a very similar path you have taken, I started sewing clothes for my ever growing 3 boys in the early 90’s. I love to hand quilt, but I still have to work outside the home, to feed my habit and keep a all important roof over my head……
I recently purchased a new sewing machine, that I can do much more with machine quilting. I want to ‘learn’ more about machine quilting, since the hand quilting I love takes so darn long to finish. I have just been doing some cross hatching and stitching in the ditch on the machine. Sorry I can’t afford or have the space for a long arm machine. 🙁
Do you have any beginner tips for machine quilting? Marking a pattern on the quilt top or free handing? Color of thread? I get really frustrated with myself, when I chose a thread color, and my stitching shows not so nice on the contrast color. For example, I have a table runner with orange and black, and I pick orange thread, and then my stitches go wonky showing on the black fabric, UGH. Any tips you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Darlene
Wisconsin
The best tip I can give you is just to relax and have fun. When you are just starting out blending thread colors are definitely your friend. I like to use monopoly if you have a lot of really contrasting colors. It gives your quilting definition without having an in your face color. Just keep at it and you’ll get there.
Comparing oneself always brings some sort of pain
I have been quilting about a year and a half. Last week, I entered a very ambitious log cabin block quilt in my state Fair. It is perfectly imperfect. No fancy quilting- just straight lines, and not always straight. I will not win any ribbons, but I did it!
I enjoy making the blocks, assembling is not fun. I do get discouraged. But I enjoy the end result
Nice quilts
I’ve been quilting about two years and each piece I make l learn from and little improvement. Any hobby starts out as a beginner and those that are seasoned at it should be encouraging, not cruel. They were beginners once too.
My favorite comment when I teach a beginning class – “Remember, the most advanced quilter started with one crooked stitch.”
And, when they ask about going to a show – “You’ll suffer with the “I” word when you leave the show – either Intimidated or Inspired. Please let it be inspired!”
Well said! I usually have several quilts going at once. Those for great nieces are made for love not show. They allow me to practice and experiment and know how cherished even “mistakes/mistaken” choices are. Chicky
Great article!
Wow! You have inspired me. Quilting only 3 years. Want to be better and know to just keep going. I do have a sense of accomplishment when I complete something and that’s all that matters. Thank you! Pat
Thank you for the great article. I too encountered the fussy comments about straight stitches, matched (or in my case mismatched) corners or bad fabric choices. Today, I finished my very first quilt. I started it 30 years ago while in college. The pieces in a box travelled to multiple homes across many cities waiting for me to stitch it together. I will treasure my accomplishment in 1. Getting it done. 2. Conquering the fear of doing something new (I quilted it myself) 3. Not letting the imperfections of my stitches, mismatched corners or fabric choices deter me from doing it again!
Good for you. I’d love to see a picture of it.
Hi,
I am now 67 and have never touched a sewing machine in my life. Looking for something to keep me busy I decided to take up quilting. Knowing that the kits I liked would most likely not be around when I was ready to make them I purchased them ahead of time. As of now I have about 9 kits waiting to be done and I don’t know how many patterns. Since the kits I have cost a lot of money I do not want to use them as my test quilts. I have taken a class on how to use my sewing machine and a basic class on quilting but things stopped there. It is like I am frozen can not move forward, I want to start but afraid I will mess things up and it will be ruined.
Please don’t too scared to start. Yes you will make mistakes, but you will also learn and improve. Pretty much anything you do is reversible, but remember done is always better than perfect. Check with your local guild and see if they offer classes or mentors for new quilters. I know it’s a cliché, but it really is about the journey.
We are always our worst critics. Pick one of your favorites and go for it. P.S. a seam ripper is EVERY quilters best friend used for tearing out our mistakes.
I know from experience (crocheting) that you are your own worst critic
Then I was informed by a quilt shop owner that it’s only a mistake if you can see it from a 747
Who cares what other people think since it will be made with love
I am a proud quilter for about 1 year.. Crocheter for over 20 years.. All self taught
Dear lady go to a thrift shop but some pretty used shirts, skirts etc. Get out your cutting mat cutting wheel, and plastic templates cut 4″ squares play with the colors and patterns untill you are happy. Out them into 4or 9 patch layouts Sew them together. To start sew one laid out 4 or 9 patch. Following your teacher’s suggestion. You’ll spend a little more money but you will get moving on the how to quilt and see results.
I had always wanted to learn how to quilt and in 1990, a neighbor, took me by the hand and got me started. I fell in love. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, her husband was transferred and they moved. Undaunted, I went to the local quilt store, surely they had beginner classes or something to keep me on my path. The ladies in that shop(3 of them) didn’t even acknowledge my presence as I stood waiting to ask my questions. Then they simultaneously stopped and stared at me. I told them my dilemma and that I would love a class or further direction. They looked at each other, and in a condescending tone, said, no…they didn’t do any of that. Their demeanor and attitude was such that I went out of that store and cried in my car. (I don’t cry easily). I never went back to quilting for over 20 years. Amy Gibson, through an introductory online course became my teacher. The internet gave me back that love. Be very careful how you come across to newbies.
I learned to quilt by helping a very dear friend. The most negative thing she ever said was “You’re the only one who sees the mistakes.” So when I shared this hobby with my mom and she was getting down on herself with all her *mistakes* I passed on that piece of wisdom.
I started sewing when I was around eight. My great grandmother had a treadle singer. I think the black and gold pattern caught my eye. Over the years I mastered the intricate detailed complicated designs, fussy cutting. I became bored after several years. I now enjoy scrap quilts. It’s like making your own puzzle.
I am close to seventy. I worked as an RN for over forty years. I made lots of scrub tops, kids clothes, hundreds of projects and have sewn many quilts, created loads of scrap.
My point is, if you enjoy quilting, do it for yourself. Don’t let anyone discourage you by saying your style is common. If it’s what you enjoy, their opinion doesn’t matter. It is after all what you like that counts.
Main reason I shut my Facebook down:: negative energy. Thank you for this article. I am 57. I have been to several “classes” and find this “attitude” every place I have been. I live in Fayetteville, Ga. There are 2 very nice Shoppes near me. One in Fayetteville, the other in McDonough. And I SWEAR they go out and SEARCH for the most rude, snotty, clickish women …all (probably dyed) grey haireds. They seem to go out of their way to be horrible, especially, I have noticed to newbies. So, I have stopped venturing out. Perhaps now .After reading so many posts that are so very parallel to my experiences, I shall look online for a teacher. Thank you. I needed the validation. That it was not just MY observation. I will follow your blog too, as seems this hit a nerve and there are LOTS of us out here. That just wanna share pics and hugs. Have a Great Day Y’all.
Thanks you are absolutely right people forget were they come from and the mistakes that they have made in the beginning and just want to criticize and hurt other people that’s beginning or trying to learn but one thing my mom I always say is you have to have a strong shoulders and let it Roll off and do the best that we can. “ENJOY YOUR LIFE”
Melanie, I have no idea if you’ll ever see this, but in case you do, please check out r/quilting on Reddit.com
They are the nicest, most positive people I’ve ever met/talked to!
Boy did you nail this!! I have to remember to rejoice over and admire other people’s fabulous quilts instead of becoming discouraged by mine and giving up. I also used to sew garments and home decor items. I had no idea how utterly exacting things had to be in order to achieve a perfect quilt. I’ve been working at this for a couple of years (off and on) and still keep discovering what NOT to do. Still the process brings me joy and something to look forward to.
Well stated I hope more experienced quilters will try to remember their first attempts and try harder to encourage those trying to learn.
I agree I love to quilt I do it for family and friends. I finally learned how to match points after 20+ years of quilting. I enjoy looking at the fabulous quilts from quilt shows. I know I probably will never be able to do those intricate 3/4 inch picture pieces. I will be content to continue learning and having fun with quilting.
I had a similar start to quilting. I learned to sew clothes from my mom, who had been a seamstress many years earlier. I got to be decent at it myself. It was a life and money saver when I started my first job after college at which I had to wear skirts or dress slacks everyday. A few years ago, I thought quilting is pretty much like sewing, right? My corners don’t match. My quilts aren’t perfectly squared. My first attempt at free-form quilting is fairly laughable compared to the experts’ quilts. But I will get better. I have taken a real liking to scrap quilts.
Thank you for the encouraging article. I took my first quilting class in 2012. It was thru the local recreation dept. It was supposed to be a small class of about 4 or 5 people. The other students didn’t show up so I got private lessons from an experienced quilter. Yay me! She was very patient with me. I had sewn clothes as a teenager, but had no experience with quilting. I loved that first class and I fell in love with quilting. My instructor also had a quilting business and she ended up offering me a part-time position to work with her. I gladly accepted. I have since joined a local quilt guild and the members there have been very helpful and very encouraging.
I also participate in the charity events at my local quilt shop. That has also been beneficial to me. There are new quilters there and experienced quilters. We all help each other. I’ve learned a lot that way. I also take classes occasionally. I attend local quilt shows to see what others have accomplished.
I have several quilts that I have started and a fabric stash that I refer to as my “little fabric store”.
Never give up on quilting. One of these days I will actually quilt some of the tops I’ve made. I love quilting and I’m glad I took that first class. By the way my daughter was in elementary school that year and she was the one who found that first class for me.
My local quilt shop is great and they are always encouraging and helpful to me and anyone who comes in the shop.
I have taken online classes and watched countless YouTube videos. And I have a small library of quilt books.
I hope anyone who has tried quilting and had a bad experience doesn’t let that stop them. My first quilt tops are not the best but I love them nonetheless. It is one of my favorite hobbies and I plan on doing it the rest of my life. I’m 56 and loving all my fabric and notions. ?
You are speaking to me! I’m a very experienced sewer/costumer making my first quilt. The skills do not translate. Lol.
My quilt is large (almost a queen), and my own design of triangles. What was I thinking? My triangles are blunt, crooked, and uneven. My blocks and borders are of varying sizes. Oops.
Guess what? I’m loving the journey.
It took me a while to figure out how to cross over some of my sewing skills. I’m still not the great at points and I still don’t care lol. I’m so glad you are enjoying yourself would love to see a picture when it’s done.
I have been sewing since grammar school as well. My first quilt was a machine sewn and tied Trip Around the World with Jane Smith. I love machine piecing and then having a long-arm quilter do her magic. It has been a wonderful hobby throughout the years and family and friends have enjoyed receiving special gifts from me!
I’m so glad. It really is all about the journey and enjoy what you are doing in the moment.
Thank you for such a wonderful article that quilting should be fun and enjoyable I, too, have felt belittled when my points were not quite perfect I used to read instruction books that would say never pair blue with orange and another that would say always use one bright color to make your quilt pop Throwing out these rules and doing my own thing I became more confident Practice and patience finally helped me to get better with my points When people say their quilts will never be like mine I always ask them if they enjoyed it making theirs and always find away to compliment their creation
I am now moving on to creating new and different quilt blocks for myself It is not my goal to write a book I just am having fun
I’m so glad you liked it. Glad you are having fun with the blocks. That’s the only thing that matters
Thank you for saying that! I’ve been quilting about 5 years but still feel like a beginner! Another boost to your ego is to give your quilts to people who don’t quilt. Anything you make is fabulous to them because “they don’t know any better ” haha.
Thank you for reminding everyone that it’s about helping build peoples feel good up not nit pick to bring them down. Just have fun!
I’ve been quilting for 40 years (off & on being a working mom) & consider myself a beginner still. I love quilt shows but never joined a quilt quild because they didn’t like imperfect quilts. I’m not perfect & sometimes my quilts aren’t, but they are made with love & I want them to be used & enjoyed. I say just stick with it until u find your neich & just have fun.