Beginners Quilting #1

Last night I started my Beginner's Quilting Class!
We will meet 3 more times.
Each time is a Wednesday night from 6:30-9pm.
It's a 30 minute drive both ways so I'm not sure how many Wednesday posts will be going up the next few weeks.
Anyways in our first class we talked about fabric, needles, batting, cutting mats, rotary cutters, rulers, and so much more.
We practiced getting a straight edge.
And then she gave us some 2 different kinds of practice fabric to cut into 3- 2.5" strips

After that it was time to practice 1/4" seams.
I'm pretty sure those will be the death of me!

We then sewed 3 of our strips together.
Our teacher then checked our work to see if center strip was an even 2" all the way down.

After that we learned to iron "uphill" folding the dark fabric onto itself.

Finally she sent us off with homework.
We are to practice sewing our 1/4" seam and ironing these strips together.

We will bring them back to class next week to show her how we did.

Our other homework is to get fabric for our 36" square 9 block baby quilt.
She teaches people how to make the lap blankets because they are a simple way to learn all the basics.
I really enjoyed the first nights class & I am hoping to perfect this 1/4" seam.
There are a few sewing feet out there that can help since most feet cover the 1/4" line on your sewing machine.
This one, as you can see, juts in so you can lineup the 1/4" line on your machine with the edge of your fabric.

1/4" sewing machine foot

This one is clear so you can see where the 1/4" line is...and they are normally marked on the clear where the 1/4" line would fall so you can line up and see through your foot.

clear sewing machine foot

So it looks like I get the joy of visiting my first quilting store Saturday afternoon and picking out fabric.

I think this 1st quilt will go to my youngest cousin Ava...you have all met her before, but just to remind you here is a more recent picture:

She's 6 months old now !

That aught to keep me busy between weddings, graduation, commissioning, luncheons, and work...don't you think?

I hope everyone had a Blessed Thursday!