Quilting for a total novice

[Lemoncanine]

Let me start by saying this is a Life Goal, and as such is at the moment entirely unachievabke, BUT I want to get to the point where I COULD do it, so…

I have always wanted a really lovely HUGE quilt for our bed (super king). I won’t ever do proper paper piece patchwork, I know myself well enough not to embark on that, but I’ve really admired some of Jane Brocket’s bright simpler quilts.

So: given that at the moment I can’t even thread or use a sewing machine (not part of my schooling, and haven’t yet learned it yet in adulthood) what steps do I need to start taking to make this a reality? I’m 51 now, maybe I could do this by 55???

Just buy one or look for an evening class on basic sewing skills, then do a quilting one.

John Lewis Tilly Patchwork Bedspread
Sorry for being defeatist but they take ages to make, and would probably cost just as much. Johnny Lulus has a few.

Look at jelly roll or charm packs. They’re pre cut - you’ll need lots for a king sized quilt. Lots of ideas about how to put them together and easy straight lines to piece them together.

the quilting bit (sewing the bits together) can be done by someone else (look up long arm quilting services ).

The worst thing is the size - it becomes really unwieldy!

Just go for it.
The best way to learn is by doing, maybe try making a small one first?
The hardest part is the actual quilting, but as a PP has said you can send that out to a professional long-armer.
I like Hobbs heirloom batting, always use cotton not poly cotton for the top and pay attention to the grain of the fabric. Accuracy is important but don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

I learnt completely from blogs (back in the day when we all blogged in the crafty world). EPP (English paper piecing - what you seem to be calling 'proper patchwork') is only one of very many 'proper' techniques. I am a quilter who never EPPs.

I’m a quilter, initially self taught from YouTube but had machine sewn my own clothes in my teens and had always done needlework. I have made many wonderful, kind and generous friends through quilting.

Precuts like 5”charm packs, 10” layer cakes are great to start with. I would look for a local shop that sells sewing machines or fabric and see if they offer classes or 1-to-1 sessions to learn to sew. Don’t start on a huge quilt straight off as it will take quite some time. Instead perhaps a “baby” quilt or a throw, to get used to the techniques. You will definitely be able to achieve your goal in a couple of years if you are able to commit a regular amount of time to it.

Which county/city are you in, as other posters may be able to suggest somewhere good local to you? Good luck in your quilting journey! 🧵🪡

I can’t find anything I like, and what I can find is small for a super king bed… and I think that if I can’t make one, I don’t want one! Not a project that makes sense in terms of either time or money.

I’m thinking of 8-10 inch squares, btw, w crosses - so it ought to be quicker progress than wee hexagons…

Im in London. Not sure where is good to learn these skills - evening classes are either a bit ditsy or all hollowed out round here…

Look up Melanie Ham on YouTube, she has a brilliant first basic quilt tutorial that I used for my first one.

You'll struggle to make a huge quilt though as it will be too big to get under a standard sewing machine.

Where's the personal satisfaction in that?

You can take them to people who do the quilting part with special machines. The OP could make the blocks, join them together and back them.

Where about in the country are you @Lemoncanine? I have a friend who is an expert quilter and is thinking of starting giving quilting lessons with just one or two beginners.

Reading with interest as making a quilt is one of my life goals too!

@CaptainMyCaptain , she'll get a really lovely HUGE quilt for our bed (super king) .

Starting an ambitious project with lots of good intentions and no experience is likely to mean a lot of expensive clutter and a barely started project.

Looks guiltily at a large project in a big bag untouched since 2019.

Quite a few fabric and quilting shops do lessons and workshops. Morley college crops up in searches for quilting lessons in London.

Learn to sew first.
Learn your way round a sewing machine and make some simple small projects. Sewing machines are the devil and require patience and persistence. Sewing requires careful and precision (unfortunately I'm a "that'll do" sort of person).
I learned through various YouTube tutorials.
Then for quilting try a small project first, say a table runner or some mats.
Again YouTube has plenty of tutorials.
I go to a local craft group and some people there make quilts. I've made quite a few but they are very time consuming and I end up loathing it with a passion long before it's completed. You would also need a particular machine to make a huge quilt.

I've made three quilts (not huge) with my friend. My only investment was a rotary cutter so you don't need to buy loads of stuff. A good teacher is really important much better than 'all the gear and no idea'. You could make a few blocks and, if you realise it's not for you, turn them into tote bags, table runners or whatever.

My first quilt was a rag quilt - really easy to make and you quilt as you go. It will also get you used to using a sewing machine - there's lots of videos on YouTube

I have the beginner's guide to quilting by Elizabeth Betts - it takes you through all the basic techniques, starting with small projects that you can do by hand. You can do it all by hand if you want, maybe using big stitches with merle cotton for the quilting. I am a beginner too and have done a doll's quilt (from the book) and a car quilt. If you do a simple design like squares it should be doable.

@CaptainMyCaptain , I'm not planning on doing any quilting.
You need a lot of fabric to make a super king size quilt, and you'd need the batting.

I was talking about the OP who does want to make a quilt. I'm not sure what you want apart from suggesting what problems there might be.

You quoted me, @CaptainMyCaptain . My first suggestion was a solution.

@Lemoncanine Another option would be to use applique instead of patchwork. Something not dissimilar to a khayamiya.

i would definitely learn basic sewing techniques- Morley is a good shout but also sewing machine shops, John Lewis or ask in fabric shops. Definitely have a little practice project- even just sewing 9squares together for example.

i knew how to to use a sewing machine machine but self taught on the quilting bits. I used to think kits were “too easy” but that is silly. It’s an absolute joy choosing a design and fabric to your own spec and tastes.

Side note: my first quilt was done in the evenings over about 10 months, ten years ago and cheers me up every day.

Start small, so you actually finish the piece. If you can find a sewing class, that’s a good way to build confidence using a machine, cutting etc. Council run evening classes, weekend workshops at some of the arts universities, local sewing shops. Or try the Quilters Guild for local groups - there’s lots of us patchwork and quilters out there.
You don’t need much equipment to get started:
decent sewing machine eg Janome, with a quarter-inch foot (patchwork is measured in inches) for an even seam allowance. A cutting mat (A2 is a useful size). A quilt ruler, 24”x6.5” is a useful size. Some decent thread. An iron and ironing mat/board.
Whilst there is lots of lovely fabric to buy, you don’t have to, especially when practicing techniques. Rummage through your cast offs for lightweight 100% cotton such as men’s shirts or bedlinen and chop them up.
Traditional patchwork using squares and triangles requires accurate cutting, pressing and stitching, so practice that. Or if you’re a bit slapdash try improv piecing. Anything goes. Browse instagram etc for inspiration.

Another quilter here.

You've had lots of sage advice already, so if you’re determined to make a super-king sized quilt I’ll simply suggest that you look for quilt-as-you-go patterns (where you quilt each block before joining) or reconcile yourself to paying someone to do the quilting for you, as it’ll be extremely difficult on a domestic machine.

The quilts I've made have been quilt as you go.

Yes, I generally make baby quilts so I can quilt them on my own machine, but if ever I decide to make a double bed size I’ll probably opt for QAYG.