If you’ve got a lot of extra time on your hands thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve probably considered taking up a new hobby or two. More people are turning to quilting—not only is it a great way to improve your sewing skills and use up your fabric stash, but you get cozy blankets out of it, too. When you’re ready to take the leap, there are plenty of resources for beginner quilters in Albuquerque, NM. Here’s where to start.

The tools you need

• Sewing machine: Your regular sewing machine will do just fine, especially if you’re brand-new to quilting. Some quilters get specialized equipment when their new hobby turns into an obsession.
• Rotary cutter and mat: A rotary cutter makes it a lot easier to cut out precise shapes quickly.
• Walking foot: A walking foot helps feed the fabric through the machine.
• Quilting needles: These are also referred to as “sharps,” because they’re sharp enough to pierce through all the different layers.
• Cotton thread: Most quilters prefer to use 100 percent cotton thread for their quilts.
• Seam ripper: Mistakes happen, so a good seam ripper can make it easy to rip out threads and start again.
• Stencils: Quilting stencils make it easier and faster to cut out pieces, especially with a rotary cutter.
• Fabric pencil or marker: Get a good fabric pencil or washable fabric marker to trace designs before cutting.
• Fabric clips: These will help hold the layers of fabric together as you sew.

Know the vocabulary

• Backing: The backing is the bottom layer of the quilt, which is usually just one large piece of fabric.
• Batting: Batting is also known as wadding, and provides a soft, insulating layer.
• Quilt top: The quilt top includes all the pieces you cut and sewed together to make a pattern.
• Piecing: This refers to cutting out the quilt top pieces and sewing them together in the desired pattern.

Start small

There’s no need to start out with a full-sized, complicated quilt pattern. Most people start with baby-sized quilts—but if you’re not sure this is a project you’ll enjoy, you can start even smaller. Why not try quilted placemats and doll-sized quilts first? Not only are they an easy introduction to the techniques involved, but they’re fun, functional art that you can give as gifts.

There are also plenty of pre-cut quilting kits, which let you practice sewing instead of spending hours piecing a quilt together.

As you become more familiar with quilting techniques, patterns and putting it all together, you’ll naturally move on to experimenting with bigger projects, more complicated patterns and different fabrics.

Take a class

Finally, why not take a class? The Quilt Works, Inc. offers several classes for people of all skill levels. You’ll learn everything from the basics to new techniques to perfect your craft—and meet people who love the art as much as you do.

For more information on where to start when quilting as a beginner in Albuquerque, NM, call The Quilt Works, Inc. today.