I think I am ready

I think I am ready to learn to make a quilt. I have been buying up a bunch of different colored/patterned fabrics at flea markets and such for a buck here and a buck there. Today I scored a bunch (5) of full pieces, 3.5 yards of a nice very dark navy blue or black(can't tell exactly), 2.5 yards of a really nice gray and 2 2yard pieces of creamy white(cotton), and 1 yard of a reddish cotton print ( small fat comma looking print)all for $4. The heavier ones ( dark colored one and the gray) look like Gabardine(poly). Even if the fabric isn't the perfect choice for a quilt, its still a good buy at 9 total yards for $4.

I got a bag of fat quarters for a cowgirl quilt last week at another 2ND hand shop for $1.50.

I have been amassing a nice stash for a couple months and this along with what I inherited from my mother gives me enough to play with for not a lot of money.

What kind of quilt is the best for a beginner to start with? And will someone help me with the placement if I take pictures of the fabric?

ETA: The heavier fabrics are a poly or poly blend, strong on the poly as per Angie's burn test. It melted and dripped.

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I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, with your help I KNOW I can.

dragonchick - good to see you getting caught in the quilt block to quilt bug.

Are you going to try a throw size for the first one, or a full bed sized one? or does it just depend on the amount of usable fabric you have.?

Angie

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"Live your life, and forget your age." Norman Vincent Peale

To tell you the truth, I am not sure. My creative side is a bit lacking and I don't really know exactly how much of what I have as I have not gone through everything. Moms death is still a rough spot and her things bring back memories. I have been avoiding this part and is one of the reasons I have been buying "other" fabrics to work with. I want to make a quilt but I am not exactly sure how to "fit" the colors together. As soon as it gets light tomorrow I will take a picture of some of the more suitable fabrics I am sure of to let you see what I have to work with.

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I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, with your help I KNOW I can.

Good idea on the photo. That way we can help you brainstorm something nice, but not too hard to start with .

If we get CJ and BusyBee2 and some others to comment - you'll have a really great start.

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"Live your life, and forget your age." Norman Vincent Peale

I like to suggest a log cabin for beginning quilters. It's a great pattern, easy to do and it looks just as good using scraps as it does if you plan the colors. It can be done any size with any size strips and the blocks can be put together in countless ways.

How about a simple nine patch with plain patch in between? Classic pattern and look, so cozy feeling and looking. One of my favorites and simple to make!

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Reenie

http://www.aquiltcomplex.blogspot.com

With the fabric you have I would work with big pieces. How about Irish Chain? You can make a simple Irish Chain using 9 patch blocks and plain blocks. It is forgiving of fabric and technique.

I hate to suggest a pattern or block... so purely subjective depending on your taste, but DO start with a small quilt! Baby, table runner, wall hanging, etc.

That way you WILL finish it, you WILL be able to both piece it AND quilt it, and you will have the satisfaction of completing it.

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http://tinksquared.com

The Irish chain looks interesting and simple enough, also varied enough to hold my attention. I have 2 grand kids still in cribs so maybe a small crib size quilt will do, only needs 15 blocks, 7 pierced and 8 solid. One of this size shouldn't take long to quilt either. I think I can do this. I will post back for color help.

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I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, with your help I KNOW I can.