If you are thinking about learning the art of quilting, you might need some directions on where to start. There is a huge selection of quilting tools, materials, and techniques, and all of this can be overwhelming for someone who is just starting. Here are three tips on how to get started.

#1: Choose Something Simple First

For your first project choose something simple. You want to give yourself time to develop the skills required to quilt more intricate designs and patterns. Many quilting designs use the ¼” measurement, so learn how to measure and sew a perfect ¼” blocks. Once you master it, you will gain the confidence to move onto more complex projects.

#2: Keep Your First Quilt Smaller

The biggest mistake you can make is to start with big projects that can be overwhelming and challenging. With the lack of experience and skills, you are likely to make mistakes that can be discouraging. Start with small quilts, that will give you the opportunity to practice different stitches and build confidence. Choose a pre-cut design that will guide you step-by-step in creating a complete quilt.

#3: Take it Easy and Slow

Don't rush! When you obtain a guide for beginners in quilting, one of the first thing you will learn is that quilting should not be rushed. It is not all about the quantity but the quality. With your first projects don't set a deadline, but take the time to perfect your skills and draw joy from every piece you saw together. Your stitching is not going to be perfect at first, but the more you practice, the better you will get.

But most importantly remember: quilting connects many people all over the world. So the best way to enter the quilting family is to join a quilting group or a few and share your passion, concerns, and knowledge with others who will share theirs in return.

Making a quilt for a baby shower or as a 1st birthday gift is a great way to give something unique and timeless.By creating a baby quilt pattern , you know it will be a one of a kind gift that will be treasured for many years to come.

Size is Important

As a general guide a quilt for a baby is typically 30”x40”, and for a toddler crip the size is 36” x 52”. But to ensure the correct size, the best option is to measure the crib mattress and add a half or a whole foot around the edge. If the quilt is not specifically for a crib, you might decide to make it bigger and square in shape, so that it can double up as a play matt for the baby.

Use Colors Wisely

When selecting colours for the quilt we often try to follow the colour scheme of the nursery. However, as the nurseries are often decorated in pale colours, choosing the same colour scheme may not be a wise choice. As many moms would confirm, babies can be a bit grubby, and therefore everything around them is often washed. So try to use colours that will respond well to frequent washing and drying, but also provide visual stimulation for the baby.

Mix and Match

Babies' rooms are typically fun and whimsical. By using a variety of different patterned fabrics and bright colours, you can enhance the overall look of the room."Be playful with the choice of colours, patterns , and textures in creating the ideal baby quilt.

Select Fabrics Carefully

Babies and young toddlers love the feel of soft fabrics. In general, it is suggested to use 100% cotton, as it has fewer irritants and chemicals. But fabrics such as flannel, satin or Minky, which is silky and soft, are a very popular option. Regardless of which fabrics you decide to use, make sure that all of them can be washed together.

Whether you're a beginner in the world of quilting, or you're an old hand, skilled and experienced, using quilt patterns offers the chance to try something new and exciting. And with so many patterns to choose from, there’s an endless source of inspiration and guidance for all skill levels. Let’s explore a few reasons to consider quilt patterns for your next quilting project.

Quilting can be an intimidating hobby to step into. It's steeped in tradition, and following patterns for hand-sewn clothing can be confusing, nevermind the depth and involvement of sewing in quilting. But with the right pattern at hand, a beginner can dive into the world of quilting with a solid guide at their fingertips. And with our handy guide, The Ultimate Guide to Quilting for Beginners, we'll help you navigate the creation of your first quilt successfully. And once you create your beautiful quilt, you'll want to create another.

Quilting patterns are being created every day. For those of us who have extensive experience with quilting, the constant influx of patterns offers something new to try in a sea of traditional patterns. With a new design comes a new challenge, something different to try, and something different to create. The beautiful result of your quilt will keep you looking for more patterns and eager to work on more quilting projects.

Some of us are talented enough to alter patterns on a whim or create our own from scratch. By using patterns, or even just browsing them, some of us may find inspiration in those patterns. Tweaking certain aspects of a design can leave you with a quilt you’re satisfied with. And that beautiful quilt makes a lovely, unique gift, or a cozy addition to your living room or bedroom.

Make your tradition: let a friend borrow a pattern to create the same beautiful quilt, or host a quilting party with a group of friends. A circle of people working on the same pattern allows those individuals to potentially interpret the directions differently. It certainly offers those individuals to design their quilt squares however they see fit. The result is a collection of unique perspectives in one beautiful quilt.

Quilt patterns are a staple of the quilting world for all skill levels. Patterns offer a guide to beginners, a fresh new perspective to practices quilters, or a taste of inspiration to long-experienced quilters.

Bring color and art to your home when you pick out fabric panels to match your interiors. Here’s how to shop around and explore your options.

Before you start scouting around for panels, make up your mind about what you want to do. Do you want those panels for your window or wall? Where do you want to put them? Pick a spot. Once you have an idea where those panels will go and how you’ll use them, whether as wall decors or curtain treatments, then shopping around for options should go a bit easier.

Once you know what you want to do, it’s time to get the dimensions of the window, wall or spot you’ve picked out for the panels, the Elle Décor says. That way, you know how small or large the space is.

Online shopping has made it quite convenient and easy to shop around for everything you need, including fabric panels. But not all shops are equal, though. That means you’ll need to be careful. With plenty of horror stories out there that warn against unscrupulous sellers online, it’s best that you don’t take chances. That's why shopping from trusted shops like Runaway Quilting is a smart and practical move.

Get this done before you start scrolling through our online inventory. That way, you’ll know what options hit the mark, budget-wise. That doesn’t mean you should go for the cheapest panels around, though. It just means you need to be careful to make sure you pick panels that strike an excellent balance between cost and quality.

Be sure to check out as many of the options as you can. The more options you explore, the easier it is for you to tell which ones stand out, which ones are a possible pick, and which ones don’t cut. We also offer new products regularly, so that’s another reason to come back.

Make it easier to pick the right panels. Put together a list of all the options that appealed to you. Then compare the styles and designs again. This time, consider the rooms they’ll be in. Will the panels work with your interiors? Will they bring contrast to the room? Consider these things while you work on winnowing down your options to the best of the bunch.

Shop around for fabric panels. For orders and inquiries, call us.

Finding new inspiration for your next project is easy. If you’re always on the lookout for pattern ideas, here are a few ways to get what you want.

Go online and check out sites that offer free patterns like Runaway Quilting. We also provide a sizable selection of paid pattern categories and kits you’ll want to explore and try out as well. If you’re looking to pass the time working on a ton of quilting kits, then you’re sure to have fun tackling plenty of these projects.

Drop by regularly to see daily additions to the inventory. With over 7,000 items in stock, Runaway Quilting offers every quilting enthusiast a haven of supplies, tools, equipment and other goodies. If you’re a die-hard quilter, then you know you can never have too many tools. Shop around and stock up on your favorites. Have fun organizing your sewing room when you get new additions to your collection, the Diary of a Quilter says.

You’ll find it easier to narrow down your options for new quilting patterns and ideas if you already know the kind and scope of the project you want to take on. That’s going to make it easier for you to shop around for what you need, from the fabrics to the quilt kits, sewing notions and more.

There’s just something fun about coming together for the good things in life, and by good things, we mean quilting. If you want to talk to someone about your quilting projects or get ideas about patterns and designs, there’s no better way to do that than join a club. You’ll find plenty of tips and advice coming your way.

Consider giving out hand-made gifts to friends and family this year. Take on the challenge by looking for the perfect quilting project for each of your loved ones. The fantastic thing about this is that you can custom-make each gift to suit every person on your list. Pick fabrics in the colors and materials they like. Choose a project that they’ll like. Put in details like their initials or a bit of design that sets each gift apart. Your gifts are sure to be a hit when you finally give them out.

When you’re looking for new patterns, be sure to check out Runaway Quilting. With free shipping for orders over $200, you’ll want to buy in bulk and take advantage of the cost-savings.