Welcome, Christina! I'm sure that your great grandmother would be so pleased that you are interested in quilting.

As far as tools, I picked up my basic supplies using coupons/sales at JoAnns: rotary cutter/blades, cutting mat (I have two - a large one and a small one), seam ripper, snips, rulers (I only have two - a 12.5" square and a 2.5"x18"), needles, pins, batting. So far, I've only used Gutermann thread, which I also picked up at JoAnn's with coupons.

If you don't already have one, I recommend getting a 1/4" foot for your machine. I ordered mine from Amazon.

You will also need an iron and a pressing surface. I just use my full size/everyday iron and ironing board along with water in a spray bottle and/or spray starch.

I'll be interested to see what others say in regard to fabric. For me, that's been the toughest aspect to quilting.

For quilting help, I use my computer ,,, a lot!!! In addition to this forum, I belong to a few quilting Facebook groups, watch you tube videos, and hang out on www.quiltingboard.com. A few other websites that I visit are www.quiltville.com, www.quilterscache.com, www.mcallsquilting.com, and www.genxquilters.com.

Good luck!

Welcome Christina! I've been quilting since I was 14 and learned from my grandmother. that was 40 years ago and I still love it! The internet is full of resources of every kind. Start with the basics. Learn to piece simple blocks and grow from there. You will get to choose from traditional, modern, art quilting and every imaginable style. Personally, I learn a great deal from books--technical and design skills. As in any craft or art, there are always plenty of critics. If you want to meet other quilters make sure they are encouraging. Explore and play and try! the possibilities are limitless!

Hi Christina, I'm with attending a class. There will be questions that you will be able to have answered right then. Hands on, being shown how to hold the ruler so it doesn't slip while rotary cutting and any number of things that will come up. If you haven't used a rotary cutter before, they are dangerous things if not handled properly. Did you inherit any of your great-grandmother's sewing supplies or quilts? It might seem overwhelming at first, but please don't get discouraged. We'll try and answer any questions and you can take it or leave it as quilting is a personal thing and I go with my gut a lot of times. :-)

Hi, Christina. Great advice so far. Have you sewed clothes before? I was surprised at the different issues involved in quilting. Accuracy is very important. Getting that 1/4" seam correct and consistent will save you a lot of headache as you work through the quilt. I pin a lot to get corners to line up, etc, but others sew without pinning and do just fine. You'll learn what works for you. We are a pretty independent, encouraging bunch of quilters on this site and not out to police what anyone does. Jump in with questions once you start and you'll receive lots of help.

Welcome Christina - lots of good advice so far. I agree with taking a class to get started. Local quilt shops can be quite helpful with classes, questions and helping you get started. I like the monthly block lotto on this forum. You get to try a different block each month. Everyone is so helpful and encouraging on this forum as well. Good Luck and let us know how you are doing.

Christina, ditto all of the above. Go simple, small and cheap at first. Simple blocks and on-sale fabric until you learn the cutting, measuring, sewing techniques. Also there are some very good tutorials on You Tube, especially on the Missouri Star Quilt site.

I started quilting last year about this time. This group of helpers was invaluable. I bought a book at Half Priced Books called Rotary magic. It was very helpful getting me started. I watched lots of youtube videos and asked the ladies on this site for advice regularly. I did not take a class, as I was not interested in making a wall hanging and the quilt store insisted that I was too stupid to make a quilt without their help (at least that's what I heard).

On rulers, be sure and get the non slip ones. I bought my first rulers, rotary cutter and cutting mat at WalMart. Everything was fine except the ruler. You can buy some items that will make a ruler more non slip after the fact, though. One of my biggest problems with my first quilt was that the ruler slipped when I was cutting. I did not know at the time that that little slip of the cutter would magnify. You'll need other stuff as you go along, but start with the mat, one cutter and a good sized ruler. Jo Ann's regularly has coupons online and in the newspaper for 40% off and item. Also, occasionally they do 30 or 40% off your whole order. That makes them about the same price as Walmart.

You'll need some kind of 1/4" foot for your sewing machine or some other
method for keeping a consistent 1/4' seam. I've bought several and
ended up using painters tape on my sewing machine. I just lay out a line
of tape 1/4" from the needle. Someone suggested you make the line
continuous to behind the needle. I haven't tried that. Also, I found
that the zig-zag foot works best as it holds you fabric to the feed dogs
better than regular foot.

Pick a pattern for your first quilt. I would suggest a real pattern out of a book from the library, a magazine or a free one online. It will tell you exactly what you need. I didn't and ended up with a lot of fabric I did not need.

I would suggest a 1st pattern that does not require matching seams. Also, do a lap quilt or a baby quilt - something not too big. The ladies suggested table runners. I would suggest you make something you'd like to have or to gift someone. Some non matching seams quilts include Rail Fence, Brick Road, French Braid and Eleanor Burns' Trip around the world (some around the world patterns have matching seams). Just do a search on Google for quilts with no matching seams for others. There are lots of them. Here's one I found today http://static.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/FatEighthFrenzy.pdf. 

Stay away from triangles and curved edges at first.

My favorite Youtube quilters are Eleanor Burns, Missouri Star Quilt (hers are not always as easy as they appear) and Kaye Woods.

You can do this. These ladies are really good at helping. So come back with your questions. Someone will answer you. They answered me quickly and completely.

My first quilt is shown below.

bkay

Welcome, Christina. I think a well-functioning sewing machine is the most important tool. I started quilting and then quit because my old machine was not sewing properly and was giving me such headaches. It wasn't until I got a new machine that I began quilting again, and I've never stopped. I don't mean to suggest that you have to invest in an expensive machine, but make sure whatever machine you have is in good running order. If not, have it serviced.

The other women have given you great suggestions also. I hope you come to love quilting as much as we all do. Lois

Welcome from central Alabama. I think it is wonderful that you have memories connected with your great grandmother's quilts. So many people put them away and don't use them, I think they should be used and loved and filled with memories.

I agree with taking a class, but You Tube has some great tutorials if a class isn't possible. My grandmother used nothing more than cardboard for a pattern and scissors to cut with and made some lovely quilts. A rotary cutter and mat make cutting much easier. I don't hand piece, so couldn't help with that, but will be glad to answer any questions I can. Perhaps your first quilt could be made from your great grandmother's clothes if you have any of them.

It can be easy to become discouraged at first, just remember: There are no quilt police. This is fun so don't stress. There is nothing that can't be fixed or adapted.

Websites have wonderful information and tutorials. Missouri Star Quilt Company has lost of easy, fun quilts. One good place to learn and to find inspiration is your local quilt guild. Attend a meeting and eventually join if you like it. Within the guild there are usually mini groups who meet at people's homes during the month and they are both stimulating and helpful in having someone else's opinion and skill set to keep you going.

Forgot to say...most guilds also have speakers and classes on a regular basis.

Welcome, Christina! You are going to have so much fun as you begin to quilt! Each little step is like a big "ta dah - I made that!"

I'd like to suggest that you find simple blocks on the web and make at least one block of each to start. I'd suggest these blocks: 4-patch, 9-patch, half square triangles, Friendship Star and Flying Geese. With each new block you make, first make a sample to help refresh your memory the next time you make some of the same blocks for a quilt. I taught some friends at work last year and this is how I got them started. They all finished their first quilt (except for the one that had a baby in September) and are now working on their next quilts.

Hi Christina! Welcome to the group! Good luck with you new ambition; soon it will become your new addiction! Can't wait to hear about your progress in collecting your tools and your projects! Don't be afraid; just do it!! You will love it.

I agree with hooking up with a local quilt shop and taking some classes. I grew up sewing, but had never made a quilt. There are definitely some things to learn and a class with a very basic quilt is a good way to start! Have fun! It's very addictive!

Welcome Christine! I ditto taking a class at a local quilt shop. My first quilt was a trip around the world following a pattern in a book. I love it, but It wasn't until I took a class at a shop and joined this wonderful group of like minded quilters that I really learned and became addicted...yup, this can be habit forming, but so much fun!

Did I mentioned to participate in this forums monthly block lotto....wow, it's such a help! Pleas join us!