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The Beginning

by Steve Tippets on 09/01/17

This is it. The beginning.

My name is Kimmel. I am a 35 year old military wife and stay at home mom to 4 beautiful children. And I know nothing about sewing. Okay, maybe not nothing. My mom used to sew our clothes for us when my siblings and I were little. I have memories of watching her at the sewing machine while she worked. I used to love to watch the material as it was fed under the needle. It seemed like magic to me that a simple pass through the dancing silver could create these stitches that held everything together. It still seems a little mind boggling to me that all clothing and quilts were once just pieces of fabric that someone has fastened together in a perfect marriage. I am so intrigued, that I have decided to embark on a much anticipated and about darn time journey. I'm going to learn how to sew.

I realize that this is no easy task. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as I sit and really think about what it is I'm about to commit to. But with the help of this blog I know I can do it. This will be where I will capture my journey with a weekly post. Each week I will seek for and hopefully get some much needed guidance from all of you amazing quilters and seamstresses out there. (Please don't let me down here you guys. I need HELP!) It will be slow going, and I'm sure some of you will get a little kick out of watching me stumble a bit, okay, a lot, at first, but I'm hoping that aside from the entertainment value this may provide, you will also be eager to watch me succeed.

The first step was a no brainer, acquire a sewing machine. Check!

I will be using the Juki HZL-LB5020

Isn't she a beauty?

The next step is to collect the rest of the tools that I will need. I know I will have an extension table for my sewing machine. It should be delivered in the next couple of weeks. So excited about that! I will also be receiving the Ideal Seam Guides that Sew Very Smooth is known for along with the Gauge and Polish. I may not know what I'm doing, but my machine and table will be smooth and shiny and my lines will be straight!

I will be assembling the rest of my tools over the next couple of weeks as I figure out exactly what I'll need. I do know that I will want a rotary cutter and self healing mat. What brands would you suggest? I briefly got online to see what the options were and holy cow, I don't even know where to start. What is the difference between a 45mm and 60mm blade? Why would you pick one over the other or is it helpful to have both?

Seriously, I need the input so please let me know. Also, what do you wish you knew when you first started out? I will gratefully read every comment that is left for me. I'm a sponge. Fill me up!!

Comments (3)

1. Angela J. said on 9/5/17 - 08:34AM

I'm looking forward to following your adventures, Kimmel! The quilting community is wonderful about sharing information, so I hope you find lots of comments each week. I love my green 24" x 36" Olfa cutting mat and squeeze release rotary cutter 45mm. The 45mm is the standard and will cut everything, but you will find the 60mm helpful for high loft fabrics like batting - especially when cutting multiple layers. There is also a smaller 28mm cutter for precision small cuts, but this is a personal preference. Since these are 'investment' pieces, I would hold off getting the small or large until you find you need them. You will probably become a true quilter and have to own every cool tool there is! One thing I wish I knew...there are no rules, only tips and tricks for success in some areas (like bias). Take some classes or sew with others to learn some of the great tips and tricks. Also, beware the Quilt Police (those who push you to do things a certain way - there are many pathways to success, not just theirs!)

2. Kimmel said on 9/27/17 - 12:17PM

Thank you Angela! I really appreciate your suggestions on the rotary cutter. I was able to get the 45mm Olfa for now but I love knowing why I will want the 60 going forward. That was very helpful to me. I also really appreciate the advise. I'm sure I'll have to hang on to that as more people weigh in on how I should be doing things. :-)

3. Deena Shea said on 9/30/17 - 06:23PM

I have a rotary cutter but had no idea that they weren't all the same. I will have to figure out which one I have and see if I am using the right one. Mine is just a Fiskers which I am sure is probably now very professional but it works for me for what I use it for.

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1.	Angela J. said on 9/5/17 - 08:34AM
	I'm looking forward to following your adventures, Kimmel! The quilting community is wonderful about sharing information, so I hope you find lots of comments each week. I love my green 24" x 36" Olfa cutting mat and squeeze release rotary cutter 45mm. The 45mm is the standard and will cut everything, but you will find the 60mm helpful for high loft fabrics like batting - especially when cutting multiple layers. There is also a smaller 28mm cutter for precision small cuts, but this is a personal preference. Since these are 'investment' pieces, I would hold off getting the small or large until you find you need them. You will probably become a true quilter and have to own every cool tool there is! One thing I wish I knew...there are no rules, only tips and tricks for success in some areas (like bias). Take some classes or sew with others to learn some of the great tips and tricks. Also, beware the Quilt Police (those who push you to do things a certain way - there are many pathways to success, not just theirs!)
2.	Kimmel said on 9/27/17 - 12:17PM
	Thank you Angela! I really appreciate your suggestions on the rotary cutter. I was able to get the 45mm Olfa for now but I love knowing why I will want the 60 going forward. That was very helpful to me. I also really appreciate the advise. I'm sure I'll have to hang on to that as more people weigh in on how I should be doing things. :-)
3.	Deena Shea said on 9/30/17 - 06:23PM
	I have a rotary cutter but had no idea that they weren't all the same. I will have to figure out which one I have and see if I am using the right one. Mine is just a Fiskers which I am sure is probably now very professional but it works for me for what I use it for.