I'm so glad you found quilting. I love having the Go cutter and I've been quilting nearly 30 yrs since before we even had rotary cutters. My first quilt was a star with only 1 1/4" sides. LOL!

When you come to the US, know that the fabric at Joann's craft stores is much lesser quality than a local quilt shop. It will be a bit harder in some cases to work with and not last as long with use.

I hope you have fun adding quilting things to your visit!

You'll see lots of UK folk on this site. Some of the quilt shows there offer great classes. I lived there a couple years and this was a favorite website to find quilt shops as we traveled all over. www.cosman.nl/maps/list_en.php?cn=uk&ord=c

Doesn't The Quilter's Guild of the British Isles have the whole country divided into regions? Perhaps the region you are in has classes or get togethers.

Thanks I will take in all your advice .
I will not give up, I have downloaded a lot of videos as well been on utube I am very grateful for your advice. I live in the U.K.and we don't have any quilting shops or shows were I live . I am going to Jacksonville Florida in 2 weeks to visit my sister so I will be going in all the stores that sell fabric and quilting products I will have a lot of fun spending doing it

Kath....They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is one way some quilters do their stars.


All seams are pressed the same way, either to the right or to the left. Sew one half together (probably 4 pieces) and then sew the other half. Then match the two sides up and sew. Pick about three stitches out of the center seam, so that you can press the right side of the seam you just sewed one way (down) and the left side of the seam the opposite (up). The twirl in the center eliminates a lot of bulk.

I have also found it worth my while to only sew a few stitchs right at the center, before sewing the whole seam. If I see that it is "off", I only have a few stitches to unsew.

And, just for the record, most of us have had a center on a star mound up once or twice!

Dawn

Kathmck97 wrote:
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." - Henry Ford

Good for you Kath, keep learning!

Kathy

You did what I did: one of the hardest blocks first!

There are lots of ways to reduce that center bulk; ironing the seams open (or at least the last one) works for me. And if the points don'[t match perfectly, embellish it with a button! And the Y-seams will get better with practice. I stop sewing 1 stitch before the quarter inch mark.

Don't let that deter you from quilting. It is time to do something easy now! Then find what you really like and perfect those skills.

Sounds you are going straight toward one of the harder things in quilt making, the dreaded y-seam! They are tricky!! Kaye Woods has a video on how to do them, which makes them easier, but truly they are challenging, good luck

Hi I cut some diamonds and I sewed them all to make a star but it went bulky in the middle and would not lie flat . I can sew but I'm never done quilting and I have just bought a go baby to cut the shapes out . My friends thinks I'm mad trying something new at my age I'm 69 but I like sewing and making things but I do get mad if I can't get it right is there anyone that can show me how it's done , once I've been shown I will be able to follow it thanks Kath

Welcome, Kath! Yes, I agree, if you can.......join a quilt guild. We had a gal join ours a couple of months ago because she wanted to learn how to quilt. Sometimes there is someone in the guild who will take you under her wing. Also, we have a free sew day every month, and this new gal came and got wonderful sewing tips from a number of us. Plus, some of our enthusiasm rubbed off on her! Just take it slow and easy and don't get discouraged when seams and points are off. We've all been there, and our seam rippers are our best friend. If you cannot handle the regular seam ripper, there is a wonderful tool that looks like a mini electric shaver. It buzzes right through seams, with hardly any effort. (My new best friend!)

Dawn

Also, check out Missouri Star quilting videos, there are a ton of them, they are also free, and a lot of them are made with strips.
You should also join your local guild, we love helping newbys!! But truly, the most important thing, don't feel intimidated, we all started as beginners, we all learned to do what worked best for us, and so will you. Through the years, my 'quilting sisters' have been there for me, because our common thread is our love of sewing, friendship and making beauty, and of course the occasional glass of wine!

Hi Kath, Welcome to quilting. Eleanore Burns has several shows on making quilts with the cutters. They are on youtube, and are free. You can they subscribe to her site. Hope this helps. Have fun!
Linda

The local quilt shop is the best place to start. You get so much more in person! If that is not available, try all the other suggestions.

AND have fun!

Come back and tell us how it goes.

You might check out the forum topic virtual retreat. We whine, moan, complain but mostly cheer on each other's successes, failures and struggles. Lots of cool stuff is shared and we all learn.

Like I said, enjoy!

Geneva

Thank you to all who have replied to my question I will give it a good try Kath