FAO Flummery.

[bluemoon]

Hi, Flummery.

Please correct me if I'm remembering this incorrectly, but you are the demon quilt-maker, aren't you? Could you recommend a book which is suitable for an absolute novice? And I do mean novice, as in a book which starts; 'This is a needle' I bought one before Christmas, (book not needle) but it assumes a fair amount of knowledge and is just a pattern book really. It's something I've always quite liked the idea of doing, but have never known anyone to ask advice about it before.

Many thanks, Bluemoon.

[Flummery]

Ooo-er, now you're asking. I taught myself from library books - can't remember the names because we're going back 10 years or so. I started by making my quilts entirely by hand (started with a double too - in at the deep end!) but I now maily use a machine - so many quilt, so little time!

I would be tempted to look in the library and read a few books. You are really wanting a techniques rather than a pattern book aren't you? I might be able to find a few magazines with some basic stuff in. Send me a pm with your address and I'll see what I can do.

Cheers,

Flum

[terrier]

If you just put 'quilting' into a search engine, you'll find loads of stuff. I didn't know it was so popular although most of the sites and forums seem to be American. I suppose they're a bit like GYO for quilters.

[SarzWix]

This might be helpful Bluemoon?Quilting Lessons for Beginner's and other Quilters

I'd really like someone to teach me how to knit - my nan taught me knit one, purl one, but never how to cast on or off

[piskieinboots]

but never how to cast on or off

you pull the needle out innit

[Two_Sheds]

I don't like "traditional" quilts, but this textile artist makes fabulous things. I met her at a Stitching Show in London, but was too shy to ask her about anything
Pauline Burbidge - The Quilt Artist

[bluemoon]

I hit on the idea of quilts as a sort of eco friendly hobby, you know, use up the old scraps which my friends had left over from other projects and make something worthwhile in the process. I thought it would be easy, but then I've never been much use at picking things like this up - once I know how to do it there's no stopping me, but the learning process is painful to watch. I'll try the library tomorrow, Flummery and I've had a quick look at the websites, but at the weekend the whole family is fighting for computer time so I'll have a proper read tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[Flummery]

Sorry Two sheds but I'm a bit of a traditionalist! I love the block names and the stories behind them. I made a 'Contrary Wife' quilt for my daughter for her wedding! I saw a big display of PB's stuff at the festival of quilts a couple of years ago. They are very clever but to me they all look the same. I guess she would say mine all looked the same!
Let me know if you want a mag or two Bluemoon.

[Two_Sheds]

Flum, I think I'm put off by all the work in the cutting and so on, with the traditional quilts. Ashamed to say, I like quick results when it comes to sewing

[Seahorse]

Sarah, if we ever get the chance to meet up, I would be delighted to give a knitting demo :0 In the meantime though, this site is very good. You can pause and/or rewind the videos until you 'get it':

KnittingHelp.com | Learn How to Knit

[roitelet]

Flum, I think I'm put off by all the work in the cutting and so on, with the traditional quilts. Ashamed to say, I like quick results when it comes to sewing

You need a cutting mat and a rotary cutter, Two Sheds. Reduces the cutting time by loads.

[Flummery]

That's what I use Roitelet!

[Two_Sheds]

Yeah, I've got a rotary and a cutting mat. Just no enthusiasm for itty bitty triangles

BTW, I did make myself a blue duvet cover out of men's shirts from Oxf@m. Cut them into identical squares and stitched 'em together. I'm really proud of it, just not "into" quilting as a hobby... I'd do it again if I needed another duvet cover, but not for fun.

[Flummery]

If we all had the same hobbies (gardening excepted!) some of us would get killed in the rush though eh?

[SarzWix]

Sarah, if we ever get the chance to meet up, I would be delighted to give a knitting demo :0 In the meantime though, this site is very good. You can pause and/or rewind the videos until you 'get it':

KnittingHelp.com | Learn How to Knit

Thanks for that Claire, I'll give it a go I'd really like to be able to knit squares for blanket making to begin with, maybe scarfs for a bit of excitement!