Quilters are all fabricaholics. I don't even throw tiny scraps away. The tiniest scraps go into a jar labeled "quilt jelly". Larger pieces about the size of the palm of a baby's hand come in handy when you're doing applique. I thought I was out of black fabric. All I needed was tiny shoes for my Sunbonnet Sue quilt. Sure enough I had saved a very small piece that worked out just right.
Make a weekly trip to the thrift stores. You'll always find new fabrics. I prefer cottons, but I have a friend that uses polyester.
Colors: Keep stocked up on the basic colors like black, white, red, and blue. Paper piecing has made quilting possible for everyone, even kids. Muslin is a real basic need, especially for the back of the small wall quilts.
Before you get started, get out your book that came with your sewing machine. Sit at your machine and go through all the exercises. Know your machine or forget it. I'm hooked on quilting, and I love it.
By Ardis Barnes
