please give me some advice on making a patchwork quilt!

[Orchide]

HAaving spent the last 10 months (off and on, though more off since my DDwas born 6 months ago) rediscovering being creative , i have almost finished my current project and think i want to make a patchwork quilt /blanket thing for DD. Am thinking a range of pinks an whites - cath kidston, laura ashley esque......flowers spots, hearts etc.

So looking for some expert advice and guidance....

where do i start?!?!

There is a nice easy pattern to start you off: here ... you can make it with almost any fabric ...

There are lots of lovely shops in the UK - let me know where you live, and I should be able to point you in the right direction. sYou don't have to use the specialist stuff, but I would advise you to use 100% cotton.

Have fun!

thanks ejt, am in west yorks so can do leeds and sheffield fairly easily.

i was lookinh at something like this....

this

too hard?

or this?

this

or something like this?

the first one and the second one will be nice and simple - if you have a rotary cutter and all the bits and bobs that go with it.

The pinwheel one looks lovely, but may be a bit of a fiddle - and is quite wasteful of fabric.

the patchy hearts one is much the same as the first and second- easy enough if you have rotary cutting equipment.

the last one is possibly the easiest of the lot - and the easiest to do if you don't have rotoary cutting equipment - but it does depend on how good you are at appliqué.

I suggest you get yourself a nice book with patterns as well (something like this or this or this, as that will tell you how to do rotary cutting (forgive me if you already know!)

Law of sod has struck - I must admit to not knowing much about quilt shops in Yorkshire () ... but if you buy yourself Patchwork and Quilting magazine (you'll get it from WHSmiths), there will be instructions - and adverts for lots of shops!

However, I would defintely recommend you look at the Cotton Patch website - and they give great advice over the phone as well (no affiliation, yada, yada!)

Have fun - warning though, patchwork and quilting is very addictive!

ejt, thanks so much for your words of wisdom and advice.

will buy one o those books and look at rotary cutting (you were right to assume i don't know!) and then think about a pattern and fabric.

One last question (promise!)....do you sew by hand or using a machine?

I do everything by machine! I'm very caggy handed with a needle, and my hand sewing isn't up to much!!

Have a lovely time - I suggest you ask around for a patchwork and quilting group - they will be able to show you how to rotary cut safely - the blade is very sharp!