The most fun is when you're over your head! That's a very pretty kit. Starting off with squares sounds like a good idea to me. Let us know how it goes!

If your kit is cut properly and complete, you should be able to do it just fine. My first patchwork quilt was a tumbling block with set-in seams. I had neither a kit, nor even a pattern. I made my own templates. I was so new to it, I didn't have enough sense to know this was supposed to be a more advanced pattern. Mine turned out just fine, and I consider myself baptised by fire. IOW most of them after that seem easy. LOL.

Your first requirements is to get the patchworking done. None of the blocks on that quilt are terribly hard, if you watch your seaming and keep it at exact dimensions. If you hang out here long enough, you'll pick up all sorts of hints as to construction techniques, or just ask these kind ladies. I did. They are all more than willing to share their experience. I'm sure you can do this if you just take it a little at a time, and ask if you see a problem coming.

Go to your local library and get just a very basic quilting book. Something like Quilting for Dummies, or its equivalent. Just to feed you some very basic hints on their general construction. Then when you get your quilt top together, you can go the next step into deciding just how you want to quilt it. Have fun!

Here is a link that might be useful: Desert Star

Yep, I would say you are in over your head. If I was you (and I'm not)I would put this aside; then I would start by making a Quilt in a Day pattern. (Log Cabin or Irish Chain are easy ones) Everything is explained in VERY easy to understand way. Then once you have your basics go back to this pattern (which is beautiful by the way.)
Just my 2 cents.

Vicky

I would agree with Vicky. The pattern you picked is very pretty. The problem for a beginner, imo, is the triangles. If you don't get them ~~just right~~ you'll end up disappointed & discouraged. And also the more pieces there are in a block, the more chance there is for it to end up "off-sized". Example: if there are 16 seams across a block (or a quilt) & you make each seam 5/16's instead of 4/16's (1/4 inch), your whole block (or quilt) is going to be an inch smaller. It's not that we are always so exacting & I doubt anyone has every seam perfect, but just an illustration of how easily things can get screwed up.

If you start off with something simple, you take pride in you accomplishment, & feel encouraged to progress to the more complex. A simple 9-patch block with 4" squares can be very pretty.

Good luck!

Forgive me if I'm pointing out the obvious - but the link you posted is only for the setting fabrics. Did you buy all the individual block kits?

If so, the all look easy enough, even for a beginner. Check your seam allowance before beginning. Don't just assume your 1/4" is actually 1/4", sew a test seam on scraps and measure it.

I think you can handle it just fine. My first quilt (and I had never sewn before in my life) was a sampler. It had 12 blocks each one different, some easy and some hard. If you keep to the right seam allowance and take your time you should do just fine. I think (just my opinion) that if you stick to just the easy blocks you may never try the more difficult blocks. I have a friend who has been quilting for 10 years and that is all she does, the simple things (log cabins, rails, etc) - she says she knows she can do those well so doesn't try anything else. You tend to get comfortable with what you can do well. Better to just jump right in there and learn from the beginning. Have fun.

I don't see why you can't do it. You only have to work on one block a month (and if it takes longer than a month, who will know?).

The important thing to know about triangles is to handle them as little as possible and then by the center not the edges. Starch the triangles before you attempt to sew them -- that will stabilize the bias (stretchable) cuts. Then make one straight seam after another just like you put one foot in front of the other to walk. ;>

When you join units, place a pin through the 1/4 inch seam allowances where they should meet and pin around that. That will ensure you'll get precise alignment. And a 1/4" foot on your machine can help. There are even 1/4" feet with mechanical fences that get you precision seams.

You'll do fine. It looks like a lovely pattern and you'll be an expert by the time you've done all the different blocks. You're going to be so proud of your work and of yourself!

My first quilt was pinwheels. We've all got to begin somewhere!

Thanks for everyone's reply, first a confession, when I was in junior high home ec. class, the teacher pinned my zipper in wrongside out. I sewed it the way she pinned it and got an F. LOL LOL She was not my favorite teacher to say the least.

Mary said " the link you posted is only for the setting fabrics. Did you buy all the individual block kits? It is the "setting kit". Which, I do not know what that means. I have lots of pieces of fabric, cut in triangles and such, but there is no cream colored fabric, is this something that I am to supply? I do not have a clue, I did get a good deal on it a couple of weeks ago, 50% off.

I have an old Singer sewing machine, nothing fancy recently cleaned and tuned up. Also have a rotary cutter and self healing mat. That is it.

Maybe, since I don't know what I bought I should start with something real easy. I will check out the Log Cabin Irish Chain and the Quilt in a Day things and report back.

I so appreciate all of you nice ladies for your encouragement, but maybe I will start of with something REALLY easy.

Thanks,
Sidnee

Sidnee,

Joann's fabrics was selling 12 individual block kits, plus the "setting kit" and the "backing and binding" kit. It seems you just bought one part.

If you bought just the one you posted, you don't have a quilt - you just have part of one, and not a very useful part.

Start with something easier. Four-patch, nine-patch, log cabin, all of these are relatively simple.
Mary

Is this the current block of the month? I doubt it if it on sale like that. Haven't been to JoAnn's for awhile so don't know what they're offering for BOM now. Anyhow, what I am getting at is that I have heard more than once that a lot of folks wait until they need the things like setting kits to buy them, and then find them unavailable. So, if this isn't a current pattern, or even if it is, then you should probably buy things like the setting and binding when you can! Otherwise, your bargain won't be a bargain if it can't be used.

A call to JoAnn's to tell them what you have should be sufficient for them to tell you what you need to complete the quilt.........whether you plan on starting it now or sometime down the road.

Okay, I am returning the kit I mentioned above and I think I will buy the one listed below, not sure of all of the triangles though I think the thing that makes me the most apprehensive is cutting the fabric. I do have a rotary cutter and mat, a must have for quilting.

Can anyone recommend a good starter kit? It does not have to be from Joann's, Michaels or Hobby Lobby would be just fine.

You have all been great, I so appreciate the support.
If my husband knew I was going to start another project, he would flip. I embroidery by hand, do One Stroke Painting, bake and decorate cakes (no pictures, duh), for family only.

Here is a link that might be useful: Log Cabin Star

I love your name, my g'mother's name was Sydney and my mother almost named me that. If you do hand embroidery, I think you're going to take to quilting like a duck to water. If you have the patience to do that and the accuracy, half the battle is already won.

The smaller quilt is quite pretty, and like a few of the others have said, you could likely handle the big kit, but this one will get you started and make you comfortable with the process, and you'll finish it sooner and it will boost your confidence to tackle something more intricate or larger.

Quilting is a craft into which you can become addicted quite easily. LOL. I never get quite finished with one before the next quilt is born in my imagination. I am a busy and active lady, who finally nearly her 60th b'day decided that I would 'make' time to start quilting. I have been at it less than three years now, so am a newbie. But, I have seven full sized quilts under my belt now and two more in various stages of completion. I find it very relaxing and 'grounding'. I'm thinking you might too.

I always hesitate to jump into discussions like this, but I would like to add my thoughts. All the wonderful quilts we all see and / make are variations on basic steps-cutting acurately, stitching with that "scant 1/4 inch", pressing properly and then joining these pieces into the block you have chosen. Every quilt is put together in a logical sequence of steps. The first quilt I made was a baby quilt in the rail fence pattern.I think learning how to do each step is important That log cabin star is lovely ( I may even make it some time), but for the cost of the kit you could purchase a good how to quilting book, as Calliope suggested and have it as a reference forever. There are many good books out there. Do you have a librery nearby? If you do, have a look at what they have. There is a lot to be said for "jumping in over your head" because as quilters we all like a challenge, but I still think you need the basics. I see that the wall hanging is only 22" square, including the borders. That means that you would be working with very narrow strips in your log cabin blocks. For a beginning project I think a larger block would be better. As well as a good book there are lots of sites on the web that have good basic quilting instructions. Try "googling" how to make a quilt. If you start out learning the basics you'll be whipping up quilts in no time and as you're working on one you'll be planning your next project. Sorry for being so long winded, but those are my thoughts, for whatever they're worth.

I agree with chickadee's comments. I never recommend kits to beginning quilters. Instead, if you want to work off of a pattern, look at one of the Quilt in a Day patterns - you'll find several of them at Joann's. Learn the basics of cutting and sewing the pieces together and then you can make anything! Each quilt is made up of smaller blocks, so even something with a complicated looking pattern overall, might be very simple when broken down into the 12 inch blocks you make before assembling the whole quilt.

Before deciding on a quilt you want to make, why not look back over the past few months at the quilt lottos we do? Try a couple of those blocks to develop your cutting and seam skills. Or go to Quilterscache.com and pick a couple blocks you like - practice on those with any fabric you have on hand. You will develop your skills and your confidence very quickly!

Kate

Here is a link that might be useful: Quilters Cache block library

The log cabin pattern is a classic for many reasons. One is how easy it is to learn and to do. The other is how versatile the block is. Learn one thing, set the blocks differently and get a ton of possibilities. Here are five classics for setting log cabins http://quilting.suite101.com/article.cfm/popular_log_cabin_quilt_settings but, believe me, there are a ton more as your star setting illustrates. There is also a nifty little book your library may have called A New Look at Log Cabin Quilts by Flavin Glover which demonstrates how to construct complex scenes like geese flying into a sunset just with log cabin blocks!

By all means purchase a kit if it stokes your confidence and gets you going. Next time check out a book or a quilting site like http://www.quilterscache.com or http://quiltville.com , pick your own fabrics and you're on your way!

Those links again are:
http://quilting.suite101.com/article.cfm/popular_log_cabin_quilt_settings
http://www.quilterscache.com
http://quiltville.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Quiltville.com

Forgot to ask if there's a quilt shop in your area. I put a link to finding out below.

If you can get to one, there will be helpful people who would love to get you started and provide ideas, assistance picking fabrics and patterns, tips and even beginner classes.

A quilt shop is the first place to start in my opinion.

Here is a link that might be useful: directory of American quilt shops

I started out with this one:

It is a pattern from Atkinson Designs called Lucky Stars

The blocks are similar to the big one in the middle of the first kit you posted a link to. You will have to purchase your own fabric and cut it yourself but the instructions are very clear and there are plenty of tips throughout. I was never left scratching my head wondering about a step and by the time I finished I felt like a pro. Unfortunately, the block I just completed let me know I most certainly am not. The only thing it doesn't cover is how to quilt it ( I stitched in the ditch lol) and it doesn't cover how to put together the quilt sandwich but those are things that you can find information for online or someone here can help you with.

That's very pretty -- you did a great job. I started out with a log cabin myself. I still like a log cabin as it's so versatile and seems to go so quickly.

Geri

Thank you Geri. That one was kind of time consuming for the size. It took me six days of working overtime to complete it.

I have a log cabin template here but have yet to try that one out yet to have a basis for comparison. Maybe when I complete the four other projects I have going on I should try that next.

Hi Aezarien,

That's really beautiful -- wow -- I've never done anything w/ kits before, but I REALLY like it! Funny, I clicked on the link to see it & I MUST say I particularly liked the coloring you used, far better than what they showed. Can I please ask what dimensions that ended up, what size each block was & also what you backed it with?

It's so handsome! I think I really might like to buy the pattern for myself. Thanks SOOOOO much for sharing this!

Thank you all for responding! You all are wonderful, I now have a place to go when I need help.

Yesterday I bought 2 pkgs of 5, for a total of 10 fat quarters, I just could not resist the colors. I also bought 2.5 yds of Cona black fabric for the backing and possibly border, not sure.

I think I might try the log cabin, but am a little confused about the amount of fabric I will need. I am also considering just doing 5 inch blocks and alternating colors.

I could send pics of the colors if you are interested in seeing them. I need some help with how big this quilt could be.

Thanks, Julie

Pirate Girl - Our local quilt shop holds classes and one of the instructors there suggested that pattern based on my knowledge level, which was none. I had started what was supposed to be a simple strip quilt six months prior but apparently the jelly rolls I bought were cut awkward and it did nothing but manage to aggravate me heh.

Anyway, I did a 45X60 kid's sized quilt. The other dimensions listed are as follows:

Lap-60X75
Twin-74X90
Queen-90X105
King - 120X120

As it says though, you can make it any size. Each block requires one print fat quarter and one 3.5 X 40 strip of background fabric. The blocks end up being 15.5 squared. And here is a photo of the back:

I picked out one of the patterns from the top of the quilt.

Sidnee - The first thing I ever tried when I got interested in quilting was a simple block pattern for a scrapbook cover. And when I couldn't make those blocks line up just right I was left thinking... What? They are just blocks for Pete's sake, what gives? This is how I looked at it of course and I hope it doesn't put anyone off but when I finished I sort of stepped back and looked at it and didn't feel anymore accomplished for having done it. All of my boo boos stood out like sore thumbs as well just because it was such a simple pattern. I didn't pick up quilting again for three months which was when I tried to do a simple strip quilt. After the strip quilt, I didn't look at quilting again for another six months.

In contrast, when I finished the quilt above, stood back to take a look, and I couldn't believe that I had made that with my own hands. There are mistakes in that one as well and my pieces are off in several places. The pattern is busy enough though that unless you are inspecting it you don't really see the boo boos. Granted, I know it isn't show stopper or anything but it left me feeling like I had accomplished something. As soon as I finished that one I went right on to make another one.

In short, I don't think it is just the simplicity of the pattern for a beginning project that is important but also having a finished project that makes you feel like you have really done something and something that doesn't kill your interest. I just started working from templates and it took me three days to put together one nineteen inch block. I ripped seams repeatedly, tried different techniques repeatedly, swore like a sailor the whole time I was working on it, and never thought it was going to come together. And there was no way that I was going to make a quilt out of those blocks. It did finally come together though and it isn't perfect by no means but I emerged from that project a little more educated and ready to take on a full size project with the pattern.

My advice to you would be either to get a pattern at your local craft/quilt shop or online that says it is specifically for beginners. A good beginner's pattern will offer tips on how to check and/or to adjust your needle to get that perfect seam, how to sew your blocks where the machine doesn't eat them in the beginning, which ways to press your seams, preparing your fabric, squaring it, binding the quilt, and more. Knowing all of those things will make your experience way more pleasant and inspire you to go on to bigger and better things.

Anyway, that is my soapbox and I'll step down and give the floor to someone else now lol.

-Tina

Thanks Tina, I am now ready to go....just not sure when I am going to start, it will be soon though. I am thinking about the Log Cabin design, with 2" wide strips, cut size 2.5"

I will be in touch...LOL Hopefully not bald and hopefully the air will not be too blue.

Thanks for all help ladies.

Sid