Hello Patchworknovis, I'm KimUK, the Doncaster member. Where do you live in Yorkshire? We are a fun bunch of folks here, always ready to lend a helping hand and or a shoulder to cry on. I haven't been quilting long, only about a year and I've learned loads from this group.
PM me any time, I'll try to remember to check my messages.
Glad you could join us.
KimUK

Welcome Patchworknovis, I'm a newbie too and have been very welcomed here. Hope you enjoy it as much as I am.

Homebrew and homemade dandelion wine?? Sounds great! One day I want to try my hand at making blackberry wine.

Dorian...from sunny california

Hello again.

Thank you for the lovely warm welcome.

I live in Wakefield, not that far from Doncaster !

I am a complete novis - I have never made anything but curtains and cushion covers before. I have just bought lots of material and a "Jelly Roll" from a fabulour quilting shop during a visit to New Zealand. I just have to think of something to do with this roll !

I am looking forward to "picking your brains" and picking up lots of tips and ideas.

Sweetie, if you can do curtains and cushion covers, quilts will be a piece of cake! You've already got the sewing skills, you just need to learn the terminology. BTW, have you a name; I hate to keep calling you PWN?

Welcome from central Alberta, Canada, PWN!! so glad to have you here!

Meg's right, if you can sew curtains and such, quilting's a snap. Just remember, you need accurate scant 1/4" seams, cut accurately and press as you go. We're here when you have a question, no matter how silly you may think it is - the only dumb question is the one not asked! Right, ladies!!!

As for the Jelly Roll - there are a couple of books out there specifically for them (will look them up shortly ) and you can also use them for other patterns that call for 2 1/2" squares/rectangles/triangles. You are limited to units that size, unless you can find yardage that matches/goes with, but there are so many patterns that call for that size. You'll have fun.

Yes, borrow books and magazines from the library, and by all means, if you can, take a beginner's class - you'll have a blast, and learn lots. Don't forget - chocolate is a must in every sewing room!

Holler when you need an answer - someone will help! I'm not on much these days, hubby and I are building our own house, but there are lots of knowledgeable ladies here.

Gerda
Love isn't what you say, it's what you do.

Here are some books using Jelly Rolls
http://www.quiltknit.com/books/fabric_strip.htm
Patterns for sale: http://www.lavender-peonies.com/jeropa.html
http://www.sweetpeasandangels.com/catalog.php?item=175&....php%3Fcategory%3D31
http://www.abbimays.com/proddetail.php?prod=qpmu26&cat=81
http://www.ericas.com/quilting/patterns/charms.htm

Still looking for free patterns - none found yet.

Gerda

http://www.thecalicocat.com/

(Read something somewhere - some quilters cut one 2 1/2" strip from each piece of their fabric and put it aside to use in strippy quilts. That can be used as well as the Jelly rolls, which is one strip of each fabric in a collection.)

More to come when I find some.