where can i learn how to make a quilt?

So get some muslin or some inexpensive cotton print and start to learn to use your machine. If you don't have the manual, tell us the make and model and I'll try to help you find a copy.

Besides fabric, it's very nice to have a rotary cutter and mat (I like Kai/Dritz blades and a cutter that automagically closes the blade when you put it down -- but here's a pretty good deal on a basic mat and cutter and ruler: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fiskars-Rotary-Cutting-S... You'll want a few pins... I like the big yellow headed "quilt pins" you find in boxes -- a good reminder not to sew over pins, and eventually some batting and backing fabrics. Oh, and thread. Religious wars are fought over what thread to sew quilts with. I'm in the non-purist camp, and make my quilts with standard polyester sewing thread, but there are those who insist that quilts must be sewn with nothing but cotton thread. When you find a vocal proponent of one school or the other, I suggest you smile and nod and continue with whatever you've decided to use.

First thing to do is to clean, oil and rethread the machine (new needle, please!) and then set it up for straight stitching, about 8-10 stitches per inch (2.5-3 mm), and sew some 1/4" seams. When you're happy that you know how to control your machine and take care of it, then you can start learning to piece a top.

This is a book I often recommend to beginners: http://store.alexandersonquilts.com/ProductDetails... but check at your library, there are a lot of good "beginning quilting" DVDs and books out there. Or see if there's a chapter of Project Linus in your area: http://www.projectlinus.org/volunteer/ and see if they're having a workday soon. That's a really good chance to talk with other quilters, some newbies, some old hands, and learn various parts of making a quilt. (If you can wait till the end of February and are in the PNW, consider attending Sew Expo in Puyallup, WA -- we sent a friend's husband over to the Project Linus tent when he decided he wanted to make a quilt, and he worked through all the stages of quilt assembly in an afternoon. Then he went home and made 5 more quilts!). (http://www.sewexpo.com)/ Or find a local quilt shop and see what sort of classes and work groups they have.

Take it easy at first if you're learning on your own without a teacher. Don't start with a king sized bed quilt -- they take half of forever when you're new -- make some squares and turn them into potholders or placemats. Then work your way up to more complex patterns and larger quilts.

Most importantly, enjoy the trip!

Local craft store may have classes or sewing shop you tube has it for free type in how to make a quilt

Check out all the info I've written before for beginning quilters in some of my previous answers:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201110...

....this one includes that previous answer plus a few more (especially 2nd and 3rd links)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201211...

(....and this one was added after the others:

precut squares --including 5" charm packs, 10" squares, fat quarters + where to buy, etc:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201311... )

And btw, you don't need to know much about "sewing" to make quilts but you will have to know about threading your machine, sewing a straight stitch with it and a few other basics:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201204...

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