Is anyone able to help a patchwork beginner please?

Thank you all for your help and thank you tiggypiro for the pattern. Please can you help again. I have made a couple of things, very basic. My daughter has offered to buy me some low budget bits for Christmas. So far I have a cutter, a self healing mat and various scissors and a book that I bought for 1p on Amazon.

What else can you suggest to get me started as I am really enjoying this new hobby.

Maybe a few fat quarters of nice fabric? Mods do some gorgeous fabrics and you can buy little bundles of them

I meant Moda it's an American company, you could google them

Have you got the rulers you need to use with the cutter and mat ?
I would suggest in order of usefulness .........

6'' x 24''
12.5" x 12.5"
6.5" x 6.5"
4.5" x 14"

Some makes might be slightly different sizes and some have easier and more accurate markings on than others. Like lots of things you get what you pay for so the more expensive are usually better. Treat carefully as they can crack. Also NEVER EVER let anyone use your cutter for paper !!

I was in our local fabric shop today and a lady was asking her about gift vouchers, which apparently they do. Perhaps you could get fabric vouchers for a shop near you, then you could enjoy choosing some fabric for your next project.

I have had excellent fat quarters from sellers on e baŷ. They were post free and were available in colour matched bundles.

www.grosvenorshows.co.uk/html/quilt_shows.html

These people do quilting shows all round the country - maybe your DD could get you a voucher or pay for you to go to one. There you will find masses of ideas - good to browse around and get some inspiration; and there are usually workshops that you can join

I agree that Moda fabrics are lovely - and other manufacturers also do "charm packs" as well - these are packs of pre-cut squares in a blending selection of patterns and colours. They are not cheap, but can be a good shortcut.

Also at a quilting show you will also find pre-printed panels that you can put in the middle of a quilt - I tend not to use these but my friend has made some nice nursery themed items for her GC using these.

Ebay have quite a lot of materials and quilting supplies at very reasonable prices.

I've used the pre printed nursery ones as backing for cot quilts so that they are double sided. It's a pity we can't include photos on here as my DGD 9 made a basic handbag out of squares I had cut for her and went on to make a shoulder bag. We also made a bag out of her old jeans. The instructions are on you tube in Spanish but absolutely clear how to do it.

Thank you again everyone for the advice .

I to want to try patchwork but by hand as I need to keep left arm working any one help with a good book

I think you tube can actually be more help than a book for a beginner as the tutors make it some detailed. Some of the sites mentioned are worth looking at before you spend anything. Have you thought about paper piecing?

Olive, I have been looking at gourmet quilter on you tube. These seem to be very clear instructions which even I can follow. I also got some books from the library following advice I received when I first posted. Hope you enjoy your new hobby.

Will have a look at paper piecing and gourmet quilter thanks for the tips.DD and GD popped in and brought me a crossstich a simple one to keep me going and as GD pointed out if shakes in arm get bad no mistake that can't be put right I have scar tissue wrapped round branch of carotid artery that is starting to be a bit of a problem.

Littleflo Pinterest is a great place to get lots of knowledge on ask sorts of things. There are loads of pins on patchwork starting at the very basics. Have a look! It's free and you make up your own boards and pin all the ideas you like on them. Interactive pinning. Have fun and good luck!

Thankyou Jackofall57, I wanted to start this hobby to give me something to do inthe winter. Unfortunately I broke my shoulder in January, so sewing is out for the time being. I did enjoy the little bits I did start to make though.

Littleflo, paint and wallpaper stores throw out sample books with fabric rectangles of the same size but different weights. I recycle these after sorting and washing into quilts. Good practice at little cost.